Assembly Joint Resolution 2
Relating to: the distribution of the net proceeds of the state lottery and certain moneys received by the state that are attributable to pari-mutuel on-track betting and bingo (2nd consideration).
Adoption:
Ayes: 15 - Representatives M. Lehman, Sykora, Goetsch, Huebsch, F. Lasee, Ainsworth, Jeskewitz, Owens, Spillner, Wood, La Fave, Meyerhofer, Morris-Tatum, Plale and Turner.
Noes: 0.
To committee on Rules.
Michael Lehman
Chairperson
Committee on Ways and Means
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Communications
January 8, 1999
Mr. Charles Sanders
Assembly Chief Clerk
Room 402, 1 East Main
Madison, WI 53702
Dear Chief Clerk Sanders:
Attached please find the finalized copy of the Assembly Seating Plan for the Republican Assembly members. Please note the changes in the leadership seating (front row).
Representative Foti will now be in seat number 1, Representative Ladwig will be in seat number 2, Representative Freese will be in seat number 3 and Representative Vrakas will be seated in seat number 19.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or Bonnie in my office at 6-3007.
Sincerely,
Daniel p. vrakas
Majority Caucus Chair
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Referral of Agency Reports
State of Wisconsin
Wisconsin Educational Communications Board
Madison
January 7, 1999
To the Honorable, the Assembly:
Enclosed are copies of the annual audit of the Educational Communications Board Radio and Television networks as prepared by the Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau. These audits are being submitted to your office to satisfy the requirements of s.
39.11 (17m) which reads:
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The Educational Communications Board shall maintain annual records of its expenditures for programming purposes by type of programming and by source of revenue. By December 1, 1981, and annually thereafter, the Educational Communications Board shall submit to the Governor and the Chief Clerk of each house of the legislature, for distribution to the legislature under s.
13.172 (2), a report of revenue by source and amount.
If further information is required please contact me at (608) 264-9667.
Sincerely,
ted tobie
Associate Director for Finance and Administration
Educational Communications Board
Referred to committee on Colleges and Universities.
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Agency Reports
State of Wisconsin
Investment Board
Madison
December 21, 1998
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
Attached is the Investment Board's annual report to the Legislature on investment goals and long-term strategies, as provided under section
25.17(14g) of the Statutes. Objectives for each of the major funds managed by SWIB are described and significant changes since our last report are noted.
The Board currently manages over $52.0 billion for the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), the tenth largest U.S. public pension fund and the 18th largest public or private pension fund in the world. The Board also manages over $5.0 billion in cash balances of state agencies and local governments in the State Investment Fund (SIF). Cash balances of the WRS are also managed in SIF.
A long-term focus guides the investment strategy for the Retirement System trust funds, in keeping with their long-term obligations. The SIF emphasizes safety of principal and liquidity, commensurate with a reasonable rate of return.
As we look ahead to 1999, resource issues are of major concern. We are experiencing increasing problems recruiting and retaining experienced staff because of significantly higher salaries offered by investment organizations in the private sector. In addition, we are nearing the 15% statutory limit on our use of outside advisors to manage assets that involve special skills, locations or intensity of attention. These problems must be addressed in the upcoming legislative session if we are to successfully implement our investment strategies.
By March 31 we will submit our annual investment performance report to you. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about this report or other matters.
Sincerely,
patricia lipton
Executive Director
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State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
Madison
December 21, 1998
To the Honorable, the Assembly:
We have completed an evaluation of the Kinship Care program administered by the Department of Health and Family Services. The program provides cash assistance to individuals who provide care for the children of relatives who are absent or otherwise unable to care for their children. The programs's budget, $24.2 million in fiscal year 1998-99, is funded through the federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) block grant and general purpose revenue funds. More than 8,000 children received Kinship Care benefits in June 1998.
Attention was drawn to the Kinship Care program in 1998, when eligible children and families were being placed on waiting lists because funding was insufficient to meet demand for the program. Although budget predictions underestimated the number of eligible families who would apply for the program, especially in Milwaukee, we did not find the projections to have been unrealistic given information available at the time. In September, an additional $1.9 million was transferred to the program to provide benefits to families reported to be on waiting lists and to allow for some additional growth.
In investigating the reasons for the unexpected program growth, we found inconsistent program implementation among local agencies, particularly with regard to the treatment of children's and caretaker relatives' income. This inconsistency indicates a need for additional legislative attention. In addition, the Department's management and oversight of the program has been limited. Therefore, we include recommendations for additional program monitoring to support informed management and policy decisions.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by staff in the Department of Health and Family Services and local agencies. The Department's response is Appendix III.
Respectfully submitted,
janice mueller
State Auditor
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State of Wisconsin
Public Service Commission
Madison
December 23, 1998
To the Honorable, the Assembly:
Pursuant to sec. 9141(2m)(a) of the last state budget bill (Wisconsin Act 27), the Commission submits the attached report on recommendations for:
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1. Reducing programmatic and funding differences between the educational telecommunications access program under section
196.218 (4r) of the statutes, as created by this act, and the assistance for institutions program specified in section
PSC 160.11, Wisconsin Administrative Code.
2. A date after which school districts, technical colleges, private colleges, and public library boards may no longer be eligible to participate in the educational telecommunications access program established under section
196.218 (4r) of the statutes, as created by this act.
Sincerely,
joseph p. mettner
Chairman
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State of Wisconsin
Wisconsin Housing and
Economic Development
Madison
December 30, 1998
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
Pursuant to section 234.25, Wisconsin Statutes, attached is the fiscal 1998 annual report of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA). This report contains the following information:
* Fiscal 1998 Program Activity
* Small Business Employment Statistics
* Strategic Plan
* June 30, 1998 Financial Statement
Please note that each of the housing programs described in the following pages are consistent with the goals, policies and objectives of the state housing plan.
Should you have any questions or comments on the report, please call me or Jim Langdon at 266-3529. Thank you for your interest in WHEDA.
Sincerely,
fritz ruf
Executive Director
