Thursday, June 21, 2001
10:00 A.M.
Ninety-Fifth Regular Session
The Senate met.
The Senate was called to order by Senator Fred Risser.
The Chair, with unanimous consent, asked that the proper entries be made in the journal.
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Read first time and referred:
Senate Bill 208
Relating to: a sales tax and use tax exemption for energy-efficient motor vehicles.
By
Senators
Risser, Schultz and Roessler; cosponsored by Representatives Grothman, Sinicki, Staskunas, Sykora, Musser, Krawczyk, Plouff, Lassa and Berceau.
To joint survey committee on Tax Exemptions.
Senate Bill 209
Relating to: zoning of upland environmental corridors, requiring the exercise of rule-making authority, and making an appropriation.
By
Senators
Risser and Burke; cosponsored by Representatives Berceau, Pocan, Miller and Bock.
To committee on Environmental Resources.
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The committee on Education reports and recommends:
Senate Joint Resolution 38
Relating to: honoring and commending the devoted public service of John T. Benson.
Adoption.
Ayes, 10 - Senators
Grobschmidt, Jauch, Shibilski, Baumgart, Robson, Erpenbach, Roessler, Darling, Lazich and Harsdorf.
Noes, 0 - None.
Richard Grobschmidt
Chairperson
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State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
June 21, 2001
The Honorable, The Legislature:
As required by s.
13.94(1)(o), Wis. Stats., we have completed an evaluation of the implementation and operating agreements between the University of Wisconsin (UW) and the UW Hospital and Clinics Authority. The Authority is am independent, nonprofit entity established by the Legislature in 1996 to operate the 536-bed hospital and a number of clinics on the UW-Madison campus, as well as other outpatient clinics and facilities in the Madison area. In fiscal year (FY) 1999-2000, the Authority had revenue of $400.0 million and operating expenses of $395.0 million; in September 2000, it employed 4,263 full-time equivalent staff.
The Authority was created to allow increased management flexibility in hospital operations and greater competitiveness in a changing health care environment. Although it has not engaged in networking activities to the extent that had been envisioned at the time it was established, it has established relationships with a number of health care entities. It has also used the $106.5 million in bonding authority authorized by the Legislature to engage in an aggressive building program, including construction of two outpatient clinics in Madison.
The Authority's financial performance, like that of other academic medical centers, has been mixed. Revenue in excess of expenses declined from $13.8 million in FY 1996-97, the Authority's first year of operation, to $5.0 million in FY 1999-2000; however, it increased during the first ten months of FY 2000-01.
The Authority is generally fulfilling its statutory mission of delivering comprehensive, high-quality health care, including charity care; providing medical instruction; sponsoring and supporting health care research; and providing medical outreach services stateside. In FY 1999-2000, the Authority transferred $16.3 million to UW medical, nursing, and pharmacy schools and spent another $14.7 million in support of medical education.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by the Authority. The Authority's response is Appendix 5.
Sincerely,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
State of Wisconsin
June 20, 2001
The Honorable, The Senate:
Attached for the information of the members is a copy of the report of the Senate 2001-2003 Biennial Budget Committee on Senate Bill 55, relating to state finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2001 legislature.
Sincerely,
Bob Jauch
Chair
Relating to the licensure and regulation of speech-language pathologists, audiologists, temporary licensees and supervision of unlicensed individuals.
Clearinghouse Rule 01-043 was withdrawn from the committee on
Health, Utilities, Veterans and Military Affairs and referred to committee on
Human Services and Aging pursuant to
Senate Rule 46 (2)(b).
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The committee on Health, Utilities, Veterans and Military Affairs reports and recommends:
Relating to licensing of emergency medical technicians-paramedic and approval of emergency medical technician-paramedic operational plans.
Report objection in part recommended, Ayes 7, Noes 2.
Ayes, 7 - Senators
Moen, Breske, Robson, Erpenbach, M. Meyer, Rosenzweig and Cowles.
Noes, 2 - Senators
S. Fitzgerald and Lazich.
