Klauser, David 3/23/95
Also available from the Wisconsin Ethics Board are reports identifying the amount and value of time state agencies have spent to affect legislative action and reports of expenditures for lobbying activities filed by the organizations that employ lobbyists.
Sincerely,
R. Roth Judd
Executive Director
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
March 30, 1995
The Honorable, The Legislature:
We have completed an evaluation of the Wisconsin Waterways Commission, as requested by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. The Commission provides funding for local government recreational boating projects on the Great Lakes and Wisconsin's inland waters.
Since fiscal year 1985-86, the Commission has provided $12.3 million in grants for inland lake projects and $12.9 million for Great Lakes projects, of which $7.6 million was for harbor projects in Racine, Kenosha, and Sheboygan. Questions have been raised about the Commission's role in the development of these project's including whether funds were spent on ineligible costs and whether the Commission's participation contributed to an oversupply of boat slips along the Lake Michigan shoreline and, by extension, increased property taxes in some communities.
Despite questions concerning the eligibility of these harbor projects, we found that all funds approved by the Commission for these projects were spent on eligible expenses. Although construction of berths, or marinas, is not an eligible cost, some believe that by funding even eligible expenses in these projects, such as brak water construction the Commission encouraged marina development while there is an apparent interrelationship between Commission-supported activities and marina development, this interrelationship is contemplated in the statutes that specifically designate harbor and breakwater improvements, which are often a prelude to marina development, as eligible expenses.
Overall, we believe the Commission has reasonably interpreted the statutes in defining the scope of its project review. If the Legislature believes the Commission needs to take a more authoritative role in assessing the need for, and feasibility of, local projects, the Legislature could direct the Commission to: 1) require information in feasibility studies regarding local government liability and risk; 2) evaluate the quality of feasibility studies; 3) conduct its own independent feasibility studies. An expansion of the Commission's responsibilities would require additional staff resources. Further, because of the potential of increasing balances in the Commission's appropriation, the Legislature may also wish to review the Commission's funding level.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by the commissioners, Department of Natural Resources staff, and local officials in Sheboygan, Racine and Kenosha. The Commission's response to the audit is Appendix IV.
Sincerely,
Dale Cattanach
State Auditor
State of Wisconsin
Department of Public Instruction
March 31, 1995
The Honorable, Legislature:
Enclosed please find a report of the need for school crime reporting as required by Section
21 of
1993 Wisconsin Act 334.
Should you have questions regarding this report, please contact me directly or Steve Fernan, Education Consultant, at 266-3889.
Sincerely,
John T. Benson
State Superintendent
__________________
CALENDAR OF APRIL 4, 1995
__________________
Senator Moen asked unanimous consent that the Senate stand recessed for 1 hour and 48 minutes.
S145
The senate stood recessed.
11:16 A.M.
__________________
1:04 P.M.
The senate reconvened.
Senator Ellis, with unanimous consent, asked that all the appointments be taken up en masse.
Benning, Cynthia A.,
of Fox Point, as a member of the Pharmacy Examining Board, to serve for the interim term ending July 1, 1998.
Read.
Grossman, Dr. Ronald E.,
of River Hills, as a member of the Medical Examining Board, to serve for the interim term ending July 1, 1996.
Read.
Huelsman, Joanne B.,
of Madison, as a member of the Council on Domestic Abuse, to serve for the term ending July 1, 1997.
Read.
Kell
, Susan A.,
of Madison, as a member of the Examining Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors, to serve for the term ending July 1, 1998.
Read.
Malick
, Clarence W. "Buck",
of Hudson, as a member of the Minnesota-Wisconsin Boundary Area Commission, to serve for the interim term ending September 25, 1997.
Read.
Schwartz, W. R.,
of Wauwatosa, as a member of the Medical Examining Board, to serve for the term ending July 1, 1998.
Read.
Stolpman, Kathleen F.,
of Madison, as a member of the Council on Domestic Abuse, to serve for the term ending July 1, 1997
Read.
Wall
, Scot,
of Cashton, as a member of the Rural Health Development Council, to serve for the interim term ending July 1, 1995.
Read.
Wall
, Scot,
of Cashton, as a member of the Rural Health Development Council, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2000.
Read.
The question was: Confirmation?
The ayes and noes were required and the vote was: ayes, 32; noes, 0; absent or not voting, 0; as follows:
Ayes - Senators Adelman, Andrea, Breske, Buettner, Burke, Chvala, Clausing, Cowles, Darling, Decker, Drzewiecki, Ellis, Farrow, Fitzgerald, George, Huelsman, Jauch, A. Lasee, Leean, Moen, Moore, Panzer, Petak, Plewa, C. Potter, Risser, Rosenzweig, Rude, Schultz, Weeden, Wineke and Zien - 32.
Noes - None.
Absent or not voting - None.
Confirmed.
__________________
Relating to Relating to energy conservation and heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems.
Submitted by Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations.
Report received from Agency, March 29, 1995.
Referred to committee on Human Resources, Labor, Tourism, Veterans and Military Affairs, April 4, 1995
.
Relating to definitions used in unemployment compensation rules.
Submitted by Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations.
Report received from Agency, March 30, 1995.
Referred to committee on Human Resources, Labor, Tourism, Veterans and Military Affairs, April 4, 1995
.
__________________
The Committee on Transportation, Agriculture and Local Affairs reports and recommends:
Relating to drainage districts.
No action taken.
Alan Lasee
Chairperson
__________________
Senate Joint Resolution 17
Relating to: proclaiming May 3, 1995, Trzeciego Maja Day.
Read.
Adopted.
Senator Ellis, with unanimous consent, asked that
Senate Bill 122
be taken up.
Senate Bill 122
Relating to: establishing a development opportunity zone.
Read a second time.
