Legislative Audit Bureau
January 12, 1996
The Honorable, The Legislature:
We have completed a review of the dental education contract between the State of Wisconsin and the Marquette University School of Dentistry for the 1993-95 biennium, as required by s.
39.46, Wis. Stats. State capitation funds paid to the Marquette School of Dentistry for tuition aid totaled $2,300,000 for the biennium.
Our review included tests to ensure that the Marquette University School of Dentistry has complied with contract and statutory requirements set forth in s.
39.46, Wis. Stats. These tests included reviewing the residency certification and enrollment status for a sample of students claimed for tuition aid, the admissions preference given to Wisconsin residents, and the promotion of minority student access. We found that Marquette University was in compliance with s.39.46, Wis. Stats., and that the state funds were expended only for the undergraduate dental school program, as required by statute.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by Marquette University administrators and the staff of the Higher Educational Aids Board during this review.
Sincerely,
dale cattanach
State Auditor
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
January 11, 1996
The Honorable, The Legislature:
We have completed a review of the Primary Health Care Services Grants program, which was created in 1990 to establish a base level of state general purpose revenue (GPR) funding for public health services. The 1995-1997 biennial budget reduces GPR funding for this program from the previous level of $750,000 for each year of the biennium to $500,000 in FY 1995-96 and $250,000 in FY 1996-97. the Department of Health and Social Services plans to distribute the funds in a manner which will result in no funds being available after January 1, 1997. The co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Finance requested that we evaluate the program to determine its effectiveness in increasing access to primary health care services for low-income individuals.
While it is not possible to measure the degree to which the program has increased access, the program appears to have made possible services to a limited number of individuals. It has provided, on average, less than 1 percent of local departments' total expenditures. Typically, local departments have used the funds to support a partial staff position responsible for initial assessments of the health care needs of a limited number of individuals, who may then be referred to another program for services. Few direct medical services are provided. In most cases, program funds have paid for assessments of low-income individuals who do not qualify for other public health programs, often because their incomes are marginally higher than eligibility limits.
Although the Primary Health Care Services Grants program provides only a small portion of local health departments' funding, officials in 15 of the 32 departments with which we spoke told us that if the program were eliminated, local discretionary funds would be used to continue some level of service to these groups; others said that local funds were either unavailable or committed to other programs considered higher priority. In addition, a number of local health department officials indicated that because the program provides the only non-categorical state GPR funding they receive, it has value as a representation of partnership between the State and local health departments. Attached is a further discussion of our findings regarding this program.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by staff of the Department of Health and Social Services and local public health departments.
Sincerely,
Dale Cattanach
State Auditor
In support of the changes taking place in Africa, the United States Information Agency (USIA) has proposed this program,"Accountability in government: Principles, Ideals, and Trends in the United States." Developed on behalf of aspiring national and local government officials, promising journalists, and representatives of Non-Governmental Organization's, and political scientists from Northern and Sub-Saharan Africa, this program hopes to strengthen current efforts to promote transparency and accountability in government. Toward this end, the program will provide the participants with an introduction to the U.S. federal system, with an emphasis on the separation of powers, the system of checks and balances, and the role of political parties. During their visit to the U.S., the participants will examine the impact of a changing economic, social and political environment on accountability standards in U.S. governance; explore existing structures, mechanisms, and standards for holding public officials accountable; and become acquainted with the role of private citizens, special interest groups, and the media in monitoring and reporting abuses.
Senator Rude, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate welcome the delegation from the Young African Leaders Project which was made of up the following participants:
Kokou Avigan, Deputy National Assembly of Togo; K. Attaher Abdoulmoumine, Vice President - Armed Resistance Organization, Vice President - Special Committee for Peace of Niger; Bernadette Bah, Political Journalist for Le Four Newspaper of Ivory Coast; Beti-Marace Martial, Minister of Justice of Central African Republic; Samuel Bolay, Audit Manager for General Auditing Office of Liberia; Soondress Sinsamy Cadervaloo, Journalist for Le Mag of Mauritius; Saara N. Kuugongelwa, Director General for National Planning Commission of Namibia; Samba Ka, Project Coordinator for RADI Saint Louis of Senegal; Lazarus Malwadutse Maduma, Personal Assistant to the Premier of Mpurnalanga Province of South Africa; Lefu Manyokole, Program Officer of Radio Lesotho of Lesotho; Dennis Brutus Babuanao Moranyane, Investigator for GOB Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime, Office of the President of Botswana; Tumaini Mwailenge, Financial/Business Editor for The Guardian Newspaper of Tanzania; Eric Osogo Opolot, Features Writer for The New Vision of Uganda; Momameden Ould Bah, Assistant Director of Public Administration for Ministry of Public Administration of Mauritania; Joaozinho Viera, Director General for Guinea Bissau Customs Service of Guinea Bissau.
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Cushing, Robert C.,
of Oregon, as a member of the Recycling Market Development Board, to serve for the interim term ending May 1, 1997.
Read.
The question was: Confirmation?
S533
The ayes and noes were required and the vote was: ayes, 33; 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, Grobschmidt, Huelsman, Jauch, A. Lasee, Moen, Moore, Panzer, Petak, C. Potter, Risser, Rosenzweig, Rude, Schultz, Shibilski, Weeden, Welch, Wineke and Zien - 33.
Noes - None.
Absent or not voting - None.
Confirmed.
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Relating to examination procedures for operator's license.
Submitted by Department of Transportation.
Report received from Agency, January 12, 1996.
Referred to committee on Transportation, Agriculture and Local Affairs, January 16, 1996.
Relating to the Milwaukee parental private school choice program.
Submitted by Department of Public Instruction.
Report received from Agency, January 12, 1996.
Referred to committee on Education and Financial Institutions, January 16, 1996.
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The committee on Environment and Energy reports and recommends:
Relating to water quality-based allocations of pollutant discharges to waters of the state.
Review period waived, Ayes 5, Noes 0.
Ayes, 5 - Senators Cowles, Farrow, Panzer, Burke and Clausing.
Noes, 0 - None.
Robert Cowles
Chairperson
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Senate Bill 117
Relating to: operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant when a minor is a passenger in the motor vehicle and providing penalties.
Read a second time.
Senate amendment 1 to Senate Bill 117 offered by Senators Farrow, Huelsman, Fitzgerald and Panzer.
The question was: Adoption of Senate amendment 1 to Senate Bill 117?
Senators Welch, Clausing and Darling, with unanimous consent, asked to be made coauthors of Senate Bill 117.
The question was: Adoption of Senate amendment 1 to Senate Bill 117?
Adopted.
Senate amendment 2 to Senate Bill 117 offered by Senator Adelman.
The question was: Adoption of Senate amendment 2 to Senate Bill 117?
POINT OF ORDER
Senator Farrow raised the point of order that Senate amendment 2 to Senate Bill 117 is not germane.
The Chair ruled the point well taken.
Ordered to a third reading.
Senator Farrow, with unanimous consent, asked that the bill be considered for final action at this time.
Senate Bill 117
Read a third time and passed.
Senate Bill 367
Relating to: authorizing the department of corrections to establish a chain gang work program and granting rule-making authority.
Read a second time.
Senator Weeden, with unanimous consent, asked that Senate Bill 367 be referred to the Joint Committee on Finance.
Senate Bill 408
Relating to: bonding authority for the University of Wisconsin System instructional technology improvements and granting bonding authority.
Read a second time.
Ordered to a third reading.
Senator Weeden, with unanimous consent, asked that the bill be considered for final action at this time.
Senate Bill 408
Read a third time.
The ayes and noes were required and the vote was: ayes, 33; 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, Grobschmidt, Huelsman, Jauch, A. Lasee, Moen, Moore, Panzer, Petak, C. Potter, Risser, Rosenzweig, Rude, Schultz, Shibilski, Weeden, Welch, Wineke and Zien - 33.
Noes - None.
Absent or not voting - None.
