Tuesday, May 16, 2000
Ninety-Fourth Regular Session
The Chief Clerk makes the following entries under the above date:
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Relating to the adoption assistance program for families that adopt children with special needs.
Submitted by Department of Health and Family Services.
Report received from Agency, May 11, 2000.
To committee on Children and Families
.
Referred on May 16, 2000
.
Relating to hunting, trapping and wildlife research.
Submitted by Department of Natural Resources.
Report received from Agency, May 10, 2000.
To committee on Natural Resources
.
Referred on May 16, 2000
.
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Executive Communications
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
Madison
May 12, 2000
To the Honorable Members of the Assembly:
The following bills, originating in the Assembly, have been approved, signed and deposited in the office of the Secretary of State:
Bill Number Act Number Date Approved
Assembly Bill 803153May 11, 2000
Assembly Bill 432154May 11, 2000
Assembly Bill 99156May 12, 2000
Assembly Bill 154157May 12, 2000
Assembly Bill 174158May 12, 2000
Assembly Bill 197159May 12, 2000
Assembly Bill 314160May 12, 2000
Assembly Bill 394161May 12, 2000
Assembly Bill 610162May 12, 2000
Assembly Bill 717163May 12, 2000
Assembly Bill 431166May 12, 2000
AB 892 (partial veto)167May 13, 2000
Assembly Bill 959168May 15, 2000
Assembly Bill 960169May 15, 2000
Assembly Bill 961170May 15, 2000
Assembly Bill 962171May 15, 2000
Assembly Bill 963172May 15, 2000
Assembly Bill 964173May 15, 2000
Assembly Bill 965174May 15, 2000
Assembly Bill 966175May 15, 2000
Respectfully submitted,
Tommy G. Thompson
Governor
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Governor's Veto Message
May 13, 2000
To the Honorable Members of the Assembly:
I have approved
Assembly Bill 892 as
1999 Wisconsin Act 167 and have deposited it in the Office of the Secretary of State. I have exercised the partial veto in Sections 10, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 62.
Assembly Bill 892 creates a professional football stadium district governed by a district board. Upon approval of a referendum by voters, the district is authorized to levy a 0.5% sales tax for the purpose of repaying up to $160 million in revenue bonds issued to finance construction and renovation of professional football stadiums. Bonds issued by a district created under the bill may include a moral obligation of the Legislature to make an appropriation to meet debt repayment requirements.
Revenues from the 0.5% sales tax may also be used to finance up to $2.9 million of stadium operating and maintenance costs and up to $750,000 of district administrative costs. The bill also authorizes a commemorative motor vehicle license plate associated with a professional football team and voluntary donations in support of a professional football team through the income tax form. Revenues from these sources and from the sale of engraved bricks and tiles are to be deposited into a fund to pay stadium operating and maintenance costs.
A959
The bill also includes provisions to ensure prevailing wages are paid for construction work performed under the jurisdiction of a professional football stadium district. Minority group and women employment and contracting goals of 15 percent and 5 percent, respectively, are included in the bill. A construction reserve fund of $10 million is established under the bill, funded by fees charged for the right to purchase admission to events at the professional football stadium within the district. This fund will either be used to meet final costs to complete the football stadium facilities or for early retirement of bonds.
Sections 10, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 allow the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL) to delegate all investment responsibility to State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB) so that a broader array of investments can be pursued with the assets included in the common school, normal school, university and agricultural college funds. I am vetoing this provision because it may compromise the fiduciary responsibilities of the board and because the provisions were not adequately debated by the Legislature. While I may support some revisions to the investment authority of BCPL and SWIB, I believe this issue should be considered as separate legislation.
Section 62 includes a provision that prohibits the district from levying any taxes until agreements are reached between the county, city and the professional football team concerning the funding of maintenance of the football stadium facilities and the distribution of proceeds from the sale of naming rights related to these facilities. I am partially vetoing this provision to remove involvement by the county because it is unreasonable that a city must seek approval from a county for maintenance or naming issues on city property. As part of the local and legislative process, agreements were reached that call for the city to have responsibility over maintenance. Regarding naming rights, the bill specifies that the city must approve not only the distribution of naming rights proceeds, if any, but the sale itself. This veto does not alter agreements reached either in the local or legislative process. These vetoes are merely jurisdictional clarifications. Local control and taxpayer accountability is protected by preserving the City of Green Bay's historic responsibility for Lambeau Field.
This legislation will contribute to the economic viability of professional football teams in Wisconsin, which are an important state tourism and business attraction. Currently, our only year-round National Football League team is the Green Bay Packers. The Packers are one of the key generators of economic activity in the city of Green Bay, Brown County and Wisconsin. The stadium renovation and expansion project that will hopefully result from this legislation will create significant numbers of job opportunities for a broad spectrum of Wisconsin citizens. Most importantly, Assembly Bill 892 gives the tools to assist the Packers directly to the taxpayers of Brown County. This legislation is an important first step toward ensuring a constructive dialogue on the economic realities facing the team and the improvements necessary to ensure its continued success in Green Bay and Brown County.
Sincerely,
