Relating to: an advisory referendum on the question of enacting the death penalty in this state.
Adoption.
Ayes, 4 - Senators Drzewiecki, A. Lasee, Fitzgerald and Breske.
Noes, 1 - Senator Moen.
Gary Drzewiecki
Chairperson
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Secretary of State
To the Honorable, the Senate:
Sincerely,
Douglas La follette
Secretary of State
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
March 11, 1996
The Honorable, The Legislature:
We have completed our evaluation of the State Group Health Insurance program, as requested by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. In 1995 $75,487 active and retired state employes participated in the program at a total cost of more than $310 million.
Since 1984, the State's contribution to employe health insurance premiums has been based on the lower of 90 percent of the Standard Plan, which is the State's self-insured indemnity plan, or 105 percent of the lowest-cost alternative plan. The policy was designed to encourage health care providers to compete for enrollees through a competitive bidding process, resulting in cost savings for the State. By 1995, as a result of financial incentives, almost 90 percent of state employes were enrolled in one of the alternative plans offered by 24 participating health maintenance organizations and one preferred provider plan.
Although the program's costs increased 255.7 percent between 1983 and 1994, it is likely costs increased at a slower rate than would have otherwise been expected had the change in the contribution formula not been made. Cumulative cost savings to the State are, however, difficult to quantify, given changes in benefit levels and in the number and type of services provided. Other effects of the State's focus on cost control are more evident.
Because the State's current policy sets premium levels on a county-by-county basis, employe contributions towards insurance premiums for the same coverage offered by the same plan can vary dramatically. In 1995, employe contributions for family coverage under Standard Plan varied from $62.16 per month to $224.93 per month, or almost $2,000 annually. In addition, because premiums are set on an annual basis, premiums within a county can vary widely from year to year, particularly if there is a change in the lowest-priced plan. In 1995, employes in Milwaukee, Outagamie, Waukesha, and Winnebago counties experienced increases in their contribution toward health insurance premiums of up to 382 percent compared to the previous year if they did not switch to the lowest-cost plan available.
Options are available to the Legislature for modifying the program to address these concerns. However, most options available to address perceived program inequities will likely affect the ability of the State to control costs. Therefore, the merits of any possible modification must be weighed against the potential effect on the State's cost-control efforts.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by the Department of Employe Trust Funds and members of the Group Insurance Board. A response from the Department is Appendix II.
Respectfully submitted,
Sincerely,
dale cattanach
State Auditor
State of Wisconsin
Department of Administration
February 29, 1996
The Honorable, The Legislature:
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This report is transmitted as required by sec. 20.002(11)(f) of the Wisconsin Statutes, (for distribution to the appropriate standing committees under sec. 13.172(3) Stats.) and confirms that the Department of Administration has found it necessary to exercise the "temporary reallocation of balances" authority provided by this section in order to meet payment responsibilities and cover resulting negative balances during the month of January, 1996.
On January 1, 1996 the Wisconsin Health Education Loan Repayment Fund balance was -$22 thousand. This shortfall continued until January 22, 1996 when the balance reached +$214 thousand. The shortfall was due to the timing of revenues.
On January 17, 1996 the University Trust-Principle Fund balance was -$14.2 million. This shortfall continued until January 22, 1996 when the balance reached +$14.2 million. This shortfall was due to a delayed transfer.
The Wisconsin Health Education Loan Repayment Fund and University Trust-Principle Fund shortfalls were not in excess of the $400 million ceiling and did not exceed the balance of the Funds available for interfund borrowing.
The distribution of interest earnings to investment pool participants is based on the average daily balance in the pool and each fund's share. therefore, the monthly calculation by the State Controller's Office will automatically reflect the use of these temporary reallocations of balance authority.
Sincerely,
James R. Klauser
Secretary
Referred to joint committee on Finance.
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
March 11, 1996
To the Honorable, 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 upon which final dispositions were rendered for applicants during the calendar year 1995. The following applicants received full or conditional pardons, or commutations in 1995:
Timmie O. Brittan, convicted of Distribution of a Controlled Substance and sentenced on 3/21/75 to eighteen months imprisonment, recommended by the Pardon Advisory Board by a vote of 4-0 to be granted a conditional pardon, was granted a conditional pardon on 1/6/96. Because he is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief. [Note: The conditional pardon expressly authorizes Mr. Brittan to legally receive, possess or transport in commerce firearms.]
Todd Cole Campbell, convicted of Armed Robbery While Concealing Identity and sentenced on 6/22/84 to four years probation, recommended by the Pardon Advisory Board by a vote of 4-0 to be granted a pardon, was granted a pardon on 11/24/95 because he is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief.
Paul A. Fiebig, convicted of Delivery of Marijuana and sentenced on 10/10/84 to restitution, recommended by the Pardon Advisory Board by a vote of 5-0 to be granted a conditional pardon(3-2 to deny a full pardon), was granted a conditional pardon on 3/15/95 because he is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief. [Note: The conditional pardon expressly authorizes Mr. Fiebig to legally receive, possess or transport in commerce firearms.]
John Fitzgerald Gibson, convicted of Party to the Crime of Delivery of Marijuana and sentenced 7/14/86 to two months to be served in county jail with Huber privileges and two years probation, recommended by the Pardon Advisory Board by a vote of 5-0 to be granted a pardon, was granted a pardon on 3/4/95 because he is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief.
Mauriece J. Glynn, convicted of three separate incidents of Forgery and sentenced on 3/25/74, 12/8/72, and 1/5/71 to one year imprisonment with Huber privileges, one year in prison and three years probation, and two years probation respectively, recommended by the Pardon Advisory Board by a vote of 3-1 to be granted a pardon, was granted a pardon on 10/26/95 because he is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief.
John Patrick Healy, convicted of Forgery and sentenced on 9/13/71 to one year imprisonment, stayed, 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 12/28/95 because he is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief.
Charles Jordan, convicted of Assault and Robbery (unarmed), Carnal Knowledge and Abuse, sentenced on 5/15/53, 4/6/55 to two years probation and two years probation respectively, recommended by the Pardon Advisory Board by a vote of 4-0 to be granted a pardon, was granted a pardon on 1/6/95 because he is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief.
James F. Karls, convicted of First Degree Intentional Homicide on 4/22/94 and was sentenced to Life Imprisonment with a Parole Eligibility Date of 11/30/2029, was granted a commutation of sentence on 1/20/95 which provides that James F. Karls shall be released from confinement on 4/22/2019 and not earlier. This commutation was made at the request of Dane County District Attorney's Office, the United States Department of Justice, and the United States Department of State in order to facilitate the extradition of James F. Karls from Costa Rica because failure to grant a commutation would jeopardize future extraditions between Costa Rica and the United States. [Note: The Pardon Advisory Board did not hear this case.]
Melvin H. Olson, convicted of Theft and Theft Party to a Crime and sentenced on 2/9/81 to eighteen months probation, recommended by the Pardon Advisory Board by a vote of 6-0 to be granted a pardon, was granted a pardon on 7/12/95 because he is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief.
Ronald A. Pehlke, convicted of Forgery and sentenced on 5/24/76 to two years imprisonment, recommended by the Pardon Advisory board by a vote of 6-0 to be granted a pardon, was granted a pardon on 7/12/95 because he is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief.
Donald Pharm, convicted of Party to a Crime of Armed Robbery and sentenced on 11/14/79 to five years imprisonment, recommended by the Pardon Advisory Board by a vote of 4-0 to be granted a pardon, was granted a pardon on 1/6/95 because he is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief.
Christohper S. Pommerening, convicted of Delivery of controlled Substance (Cocaine) and sentenced on 2/25/83 to a fine of $1,140.00 and restitution of $975.00, recommended by the Pardon Advisory Board by a vote of 5-0 to be granted a pardon, was granted a pardon on 12/28/95 because he is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief.
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Stephen C. Puddy, convicted of Aggravated Battery and sentenced on 3/17/67 to two years imprisonment, recommended by the Pardon Advisory Board by a vote of 4-0 to be granted a pardon, was granted a pardon on 7/12/95 because he is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief.
Jose R. M. Sanchez, convicted of Burglary Party to a Crime (2 counts) and sentenced on 2/14/83 to six years imprisonment, re-sentenced to four years and eleven months on 9/27/85, recommended by the Pardon Advisory Board by a vote of 4-0 to be granted a pardon, was granted a pardon on 1/6/95 because he is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief.
Stanley C. Shoemaker, convicted of Possession of Burglary Tools and sentenced on 5/25/83 to eighteen months probation, recommended by the Pardon Advisory Board by a vote of 3-1 to be granted a pardon, was granted a pardon on 10/26/95 because he is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief.
Robert W. Styer, convicted of Selling a Dangerous Drug and sentenced 6/30/71 to two years imprisonment, stayed, and three years probation with the first ninety days to be served in the county jail, recommended by the Pardon Advisory Board by a vote of 4-0 to be granted a pardon, was granted a pardon on 1/6/95 because he is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief.
Richard Ver Strate, convicted of Grand Theft (3 separate counts) and sentenced on 5/2/69 to two years probation for each count to run concurrently, recommended by the Pardon Advisory Board by a vote of 5-0 to be granted a pardon, was granted a pardon on 10/26/95 because he is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief.
James H. Weber, convicted of Disorderly Conduct and sentenced on 10/15/81 to a fine, Reckless Use of Weapon and sentenced on 1/4/78 to two years probation, and Disorderly Conduct and sentenced on 1/17/75 to a fine, recommended by the Pardon Advisory Board by a vote of 3-1 to be granted a pardon, was granted a pardon on 1/6/95 because he is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief.
Lyndon Charles Weberg, convicted of Unlawfully Transacting Securities Business Without a License and Unlawfully Selling Unregistered Securities and sentenced on 12/24/84 to five years probation and a fine for each offense, recommended by the Pardon Advisory Board by a vote of 4-0 to be granted a pardon, was granted a pardon on 1/6/95 because he is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief.
Susan Ann Yokofich, convicted of Aiding a Felon and sentenced on 9/18/80 to eighteen months probation, recommended by the Pardon Advisory Board by a vote of 5-0 to be granted a pardon, was granted a pardon on 12/28/95 because she is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief.
James Norman Zajicek, convicted of Theft and sentenced on 2/19/80 to three years probation, recommended by the Pardon Advisory Board by a vote of 3-1 to be granted a pardon, was granted a pardon on 1/6/95 because he is a productive member of society and otherwise deserving of extraordinary relief.
Sincerely,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
March 6, 1996
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Bierman, Mary,
of Three Lakes, as a member of the Land and Water Conservation Board, to serve for the term ending May 1, 1998
Sincerely,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Environment and Energy.
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
March 6, 1996
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Carpenter, Mayor Marigen, of Neenah, as a member of the Land and Water Conservation Board, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2000
Sincerely,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Environment and Energy.
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
March 7, 1996
