We have completed our biennial program evaluation of the Wisconsin Gaming Commission, as required by s.
13.94, Wis. Stats. The Gaming Commission is responsible for regulating pari-mutuel racing and charitable gaming, overseeing Indian gaming, and operating and regulating the Wisconsin Lottery.
Although the proposals included in 1995 Assembly Bill 150, the 1995-97 biennial budget bill, will affect the conduct and financing of gaming in Wisconsin, our review focused on their effect on the Gaming Commission's operations, particularly its operation of the Wisconsin Lottery and the provision of security services.
Because the Gaming Commission already relies extensively on contracts to provide lottery services, increased contracting would be consistent with current practice. Of concern, however, is whether sufficient accountability for the lottery's operations can be maintained with heavier reliance on contracting. Nevertheless, if public accountability can be maintained, an increase in contracting could have another benefit: it could shift the Gaming Commission's focus from day-to-day operations of the Wisconsin Lottery to the broader issue of regulation of the lottery and other gaming activities.
The potential benefits of contracting for security services are not, however, as evident. Therefore, it may not be appropriate to contract for these services. At a minimum, if contracting for security services is pursued, the State should continue to rely on a public agency, rather than a private vendor, to provide these services.
Finally, while we agree that modifications should be made to the Gaming Commission's current structure and membership, we question whether the proposal to replace the current three-member commission with a single full-time paid commissioner and two uncompensated part-time commissioners is prudent. We suggest other options for the Legislature's consideration.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by the Gaming Commission staff. The Gaming Commission has chosen not to attach a response to this report.
Sincerely,
Dale Cattanach
State Auditor
State of Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin System
March 13, 1995
The Honorable, The Senate:
Section
20.923 (5), Wis. Stats., requires that the Board of Regents assign specified titled positions to salary ranges in whatever manner the board determines. The board is required to file a report annually with the Governor and the Legislature.
The board has directed that all positions referenced is s.
20.923 (5) be assigned to either a State Executive Salary Group or to a UW System salary range based on the following assignment criteria:
I. Positions subject to State Executive Salary Group assignment.
A. All position referenced in s.
20.923 (5) which carry the following titles regardless of annual salary:
Associate Vice Presidents
Assistant Vice Presidents
Associate Chancellors
Vice Chancellors not designated in s.
20.923 (4m)
Associate Vice Chancellors
Assistant Vice Chancellors
Assistant Chancellors
B. All positions carrying the director or associate director title with over 50 percent of their activities coded as physical plant, general operations and services, and auxiliary enterprises whose fiscal year annual salary rate exceeds the maximum pay range 1-17 (1994-95 maximum is $57,367) of the general non-represented pay schedule #1.
II. Positions subject to UWS Salary Range Assignment:
All directors or associate directors with over 50 percent of their position assigned to an enumerated activity code in the statute whose annual salary does not exceed the maximum of pay range 1-17.
Part A of the attached report designates those positions assigned to State Executive Salary Groups and Part B provides the minimum and maximum for those positions assigned to a UWS Salary Range. The report is dated January 1, 1995 and serves to fulfill this calendar year's reporting requirement.
Sincerely,
Katharine C. Lyall
President
State of Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin System
April 14, 1995
The Honorable, The Senate:
The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents at its regular meeting on April 7, 1995, adopted the following resolution:
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That, pursuant to
1989 Wisconsin Act 177, s.
36.11 (22), Wisconsin Statutes, the board hereby accepts the report on implementation of the Act (the report on orientation programs and information provided to students on sexual assault and sexual harassment) and directs that the report be submitted to the chief clerk of each house of the legislature for distribution to the appropriate standing committees under s.
13.172 (3).
The referenced report is attached. If you have any questions, please feel free to call.
Sincerely,
Katharine C. Lyall
President
Referred to committee on Education and Financial Institutions.
State of Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin System
April 14, 1995
The Honorable, The Senate:
The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents at its regular meeting on April 7, 1995, adopted the following resolution:
That the Board of Regents accepts the 1993-94 Minority and Disadvantaged Student Annual Report for submission to the Governor and to the chief clerk of each house of the Legislature for distribution to the appropriate standing committees under s.
13.172 (3), Wis. Stats.
The referenced report is attached. The 1993-94 Minority and Disadvantaged Student Annual Report fulfills the requirement in Section
36.25 (14m)(b) of the Wisconsin Statutes that the Board of Regents report annually on its precollege, recruitment, and retention plan for students of color and disadvantaged students enrolled in the UW System. The report also includes information on financial aid programs serving those students.
If any questions arise, please feel free to call.
Sincerely,
Katharine C. Lyall
President
Referred to committee on Education and Financial Institutions.
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
April 13, 1995
To the Honorable, the Senate:
The following bill(s), originating in the Senate, have been approved, signed and deposited in the office of the Secretary of State:
Sincerely,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
April 11, 1995
The Honorable Members of the Senate:
As required by Article V, Section 6 of the Wisconsin Constitution, I am submitting the annual Executive Clemency report to the Legislature, covering those clemency cases considered by the Pardon Advisory Board upon which final dispositions were rendered for applicants during the calendar year 1994. The following applicants received full or conditional pardons in 1994:
Sheryl Laurene Doering Baird, convicted of Forgery, Issuing Bad Checks (9Counts), Shoplifting, Possession of Marijuana -- twelve counts total -- on 5/5/71 and sentenced to four years Taycheetah, recommended by the Pardon Advisory Board by a vote of 5-0 to be granted a pardon, was granted a pardon on January 14, 1994 because she is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief.
Paul Watson Lee Zakhar, convicted of Forgery and sentenced to one year probation on 1/11/57, recommended by the Pardon Advisory Board by a vote of 4-0 to be granted a pardon, was granted a pardon on January 14, 1994 because he is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief.
Dennis Einar Nordstrom, convicted of Criminal Damage to Property and Escape and sentenced to one year at Wisconsin State Reformatory at Green Bay 11/18/70, recommended by the Pardon Advisory Board by a vote of 4-0 to be granted a conditional pardon, was granted a conditional pardon for the sole purpose of possessing firearms designed to be discharged from the shoulder on February 23, 1994 because he is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief.
Michael Julius Otto, convicted of Commercial Gambling and sentenced on 2/28/86 to fine of $1000 and $250 court costs, recommended by the Pardon Advisory Board by a vote of 4-1 to be granted a conditional pardon, was granted a conditional pardon for the sole purpose of possessing firearms designed to be discharged from the shoulder on February 23, 1994 because he is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief.
Gerald Allen Settingsgaard, convicted of Sexual Intercourse With a Child and sentenced on 2/10/59 to three years Probation with costs, recommended by the Pardon Advisory Board by a vote of 5-0 to be granted a pardon, was granted a pardon on January 14, 1994 because he is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief.
Leslie Howard Smith, convicted of Party to a Theft and sentenced on 2/21/72 to one year Probation, recommended by the Pardon Advisory Board by a vote of 5-0 to be granted a pardon, was granted a pardon on February 24, 1994 because he is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief.
Sylvia F. O'Malley, convicted of Forgery of Prescription and sentenced on 12/31/71 to a $200 fine, recommended by the Pardon Advisory Board by a vote of 5-0 to be granted a pardon, was granted a pardon on June 22, 1994 because she is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief.
Sandra D. Law-Grigsby, convicted of Delivery of Controlled Substance (2 Counts) PTAC and sentenced on 3/5/82 to 10 days in jail and two years probations, recommended by the Pardon Advisory Board by a vote of 5-0 to be granted a pardon, was granted a pardon on June 16, 1994 because she is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief.
Harry R. Borth, convicted of issuing Bad Checks and sentenced on 1/18/80 to Restitution, Court Costs and Two Years of Probation, recommended by the Pardon Advisory Board by a vote of 5-0 to be granted a pardon, was granted a pardon on June 22, 1994 because he is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief.
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Thomas Harold Van Handel, convicted of Perjury and sentenced on 3/25/77 to 60 days in County Jail with Huber Privileges, recommended by the Pardon Advisory Board by a vote of 4-0 to be granted a pardon, was granted a pardon on December 13, 1994 because he is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief.
Norma J. Leonard, convicted of Misconduct in Public Office and sentenced on 3/29/84 to 60 days Jail, 3 Years Probation, recommended by the Pardon Advisory Board by a vote of 4-0 to be granted a pardon, was granted a pardon on December 13, 1994 because she is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief.
Sincerely,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
__________________
Relating to implementing the Wisconsin environmental policy act.
Submitted by Public Service Commission.
Report received from Agency, April 18, 1995.
Referred to committee on Environment and Energy,
April 19, 1995.
Relating to groundwater quality standards.
Submitted by Department of Natural Resources.
Report received from Agency, April 19, 1995.
Referred to committee on Environment and Energy,
April 19, 1995.
