The Support Collection Trust Fund and Wisconsin Petroleum Inspection Fund shortfalls were not in excess of the statutory interfund borrowing limitation and did not exceed the balances 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,
Mark D. Bugher
Secretary
Referred to the joint committee on Finance.
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
September 17, 1999
The Honorable, The Legislature:
We have completed our fifth biennial program evaluation of the Wisconsin Lottery, as required by s.
13.94(1)(em), Wis. Stats. Since the Wisconsin Lottery began operations in September 1988, it has been under the management of three state agencies: the Lottery Board, the Gaming Commission, and, since August 1995, the Department of Revenue.
From the Lottery's inception through fiscal year (FY) 1998-99, ticket sales have provided approximately $1.5 billion in net proceeds for property tax relief. However, from FY 1994-95 through FY 1997-98, ticket sales declined by $100.4 million. Sales increased by $9.8 million, or 2.3 percent, during FY 1998-99, but it is not clear that the previous decline in sales has been permanently reversed.
In response to declining ticket sales, the 1997-99 Biennial Budget Act provided the Department with 18 additional marketing positions and authorized 12 telemarketing sales representative positions to be reclassified to improve retailer support. However, not all of the positions granted by the Legislature have been filled in a timely manner, and the number of retailers selling lottery tickets has continued to decline.
Nationwide, lottery sales in states with lotteries have tended to decline over time. the Department's efforts to increase sales have emphasized frequent introductions of new scratch games. For example, during a one-year period we reviewed, 35 new scratch games were introduced and 39 older games were also offered for sale. Our analysis of sales data confirmed that the new games sell significantly better than older games do.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by the Department of Revenue. the department's response in Appendix IV.
Sincerely,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
September 14, 1999
The Honorable, The Senate:
This is to inform you that I am withdrawing the nomination of Dr. James R. Dyreby, Jr. for appointment to the Medical examining Board.
Dr. Dyreby has notified my office that due to personal reasons he cannot accept the nomination at this time.
Sincerely,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
Office of the Governor
September 14, 1999
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Bucher
, Paul E.,
of Waukesha, as a member of the Council on Domestic Abuse, to serve for the interim term ending July 1, 2002.
Sincerely,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Human Services and Aging.
__________________
Relating to certified capital companies.
Submitted by Department of Commerce.
Report received from Agency, September 21, 1999.
Referred to committee on Economic Development, Housing and Government Operations, September 21, 1999.
Relating to allowing the operation of double bottoms and certain other vehicles on certain specified highways.
Submitted by Department of Transportation.
Report received from Agency, September 17, 1999.
Referred to committee on Insurance, Tourism, Transportation and Corrections, September 21, 1999.
Relating to securities broker-dealer, agent and investment adviser licensing requirements and procedures, securities registration exemptions, definitions and forms.
Submitted by Department of Financial Institutions.
Report received from Agency, September 20, 1999.
Referred to committee on Privacy, Electronic Commerce and Financial Institutions, September 21, 1999.
__________________
Senator Risser, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn until Thursday, September 23 at 10:00 A.M..
Adjourned.
10:01 A.M.
