17 West Main Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53708
Dear Patrick:
I have created a Speaker's Task Force on Forestry and Representative Don Friske will serve as the chairman. The other members of the task force are: Representative Ainsworth, Representative Meyer, Gene Francisco, Colette Matthews, Professor Robert Govett, Jerry Van De Hei, Pat Schillinger, Don Nelson, Dan Kretz and Elroy Schmidt.
The task force shall dissolve on the final submission of its findings. Please contact Ellen Nowak in my office if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
John G. Gard
Speaker
__________________
September 9, 2003
Mr. Patrick Fuller
Chief Clerk, Wisconsin State Assembly
Room 208, Risser Justice Center
17 West Main Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53708
Dear Patrick:
I have created a Speaker's Task Force on Technical Colleges. Representatives Garey Bies and Sue Jeskewitz co-chair the task force. The other members of the task force are: A. Paul Pederson, Rodney Pasch, Charlie Most, Representative John Steinbrink, Representative Jeff Wood, Anne Reid, Bill Messner, Jim Morgan, Dr. William Ihlenfeldt, Joan Jenstead, Phillip Stuart, Joan Nelson, Joe Davis and Marc Sommer.
The task force shall dissolve on the final submission of its findings. Please contact Ellen Nowak in my office if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
John G. Gard
Speaker
__________________
September 11, 2003
Mr. Patrick Fuller
Chief Clerk, Wisconsin State Assembly
Room 208, Risser Justice Center
17 West Main Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53708
Dear Patrick:
A357
On September 8, 2003, I referred Clearinghouse Rule 03-035 to the Committee on Natural Resources. Pursuant to Assembly Rule 13 (2)(b), I am withdrawing the rule from that committee and re-referring it to the Committee on Tourism. I have obtained the consent of Representative DuWayne Johnsrud, chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources.
Sincerely,
John G. Gard
Speaker
__________________
Agency Reports
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
Madison
September 11, 2003
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
We are required by s.
13.94(1)(dm), Wis. Stats., to conduct an annual financial audit of State Fair Park. Because State Fair Park staff have been unable to compile complete and accurate financial information, financial statements for fiscal year (FY) 2001-02 are not yet available for us to audit. We believe complete financial statements for FY 2001-02 and FY 2002-03 will be available in 2004, at which time we expect to render an opinion.
Based on financial data we were able to gather, we found that State Fair Park's financial condition continues to deteriorate. In FY 2002-03, total expenses exceeded revenues by $4.5 million. As a result, State Fair Park for the first time in recent history reported a cash deficit as of June 30, 2003.
Three private entities - the contractor that until recently promoted and sponsored events at the newly renovated Milwaukee Mile racetrack; the not-for-profit State Fair Park Exposition Center, Inc., which manages the new $37.8 million Wisconsin Exposition Center; and the Pettit National Ice Center - have contributed to State Fair Park's deteriorating financial condition. In every case, overly optimistic financial projections that were used to support either new construction or renovation have not yet been achieved. Further, State Fair Park incurred a net loss of over $341,700 in Milwaukee Mile racing revenue in 2002 and spent an additional $250,000 to terminate its agreement with the racing contractor just two days before the start of the 2003 racing season. Negotiated agreements that favor the Exposition Center at the expense of State Fair Park have resulted in reduced revenue and significant maintenance and other costs, and the Pettit Center owed State Fair Park nearly $1.3 million in delinquent rent payments as of June 2003.
State Fair Park's ability to meet its debt service obligations will be limited if program revenues do not increase. As the State Fair Park Board, the Legislature, and the Governor consider the future of State Fair Park, they may wish to address our recommendations for improving its financial operations, its management structure, and its relationships with private entities.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by the staff of State Fair Park. A response from State Fair Park's chief executive officer follows the appendices.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
