December 18, 2003
Speaker John Gard
State Capitol, 211 West
Madison, WI 53708
Dear Speaker Gard:
As a result of Representative Shirley Krug's appointment to the Joint Committee on Finance, I would like to have her replaced on two standing committees. I respectfully request the appointment of Representative Louis Molepske Jr. to the Education Committee and Representative Josh Zepnick to the Energy and Utilities Committee.
Thank you for your consideration of this request. Please feel free to contact me if you have any concerns or questions.
Sincerely,
Jim Kreuser
Assembly Democratic Leader
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Speaker's Communications
December 23, 2003
Mr. Patrick Fuller
Chief Clerk, Wisconsin State Assembly
Room 208, Risser Justice Center
17 West Main Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53708
Dear Patrick:
As a result of Representative Shirley Krug's appointment to the Joint Committee on Finance, Representative Jim Kreuser has requested that she be replaced on two standing committees. He has requested that Representative Louis Molespske Jr. be appointed to the Assembly Committee on Education and that Representative Josh Zepnick be appointed to the Assembly Committee on Energy and Utilities to replace Representative Krug. I have granted this request and ask that they be appointed to the committees effective immediately.
Sincerely,
John G. Gard
Speaker
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Referral of Agency Reports
State of Wisconsin
Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation
Madison
December 17, 2003
To the Honorable, the Assembly:
In 1999 the State Legislature included a $75,000 annual grant in the state budget to be matched with $25,000 of private funds for the purpose of establishing, maintaining and promoting the Ice Age National and State Scenic Trail. The Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation (IAPTF) has been delighted to be the recipient of that grant since 2000. It is with a great deal of pride that I submit our final report for the year 2003, as required by statute s.
23.925.
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The Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation is a volunteer and member based organization whose mission is to create, support and protect the Ice Age Trail - designated a National Scenic Trail in 1980 and State Scenic Trail in 1987. The Trail is the
only unit of the National Park Service and the
only National Scenic Trail that commemorates the effects of continental glaciation in the United States.
We genuinely appreciate your continuing support and your true partnership. Please call me at 608-663-1240 with any questions you may have.
Sincerely,
Christine Thisted
Executive Director
Referred to committee on Tourism.
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State of Wisconsin
Department of Health and Family Services
Madison
December 18, 2003
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
Section
46.03 (26) of the statutes requires the Department of Health and Family Services to report annually on information systems projects under development. The attached report is a summary of the departmental systems currently under development.
Sincerely,
Helene Nelson
Secretary
Referred to committee on Health.
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State of Wisconsin
Department of Public Instruction
Madison
December 23, 2003
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
Enclosed is a copy of the "Legislative Report on Charter Schools" for the 2001-2002 school year, as required by sec. 115.28 (49), Wis. Stats. The report is submitted to you as required by sec. 13.172 (2), Wis. Stats.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Burmaster
State Superintendent
Referred to committee on Education Reform.
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State of Wisconsin
Department of Transportation
Madison
December 26, 2003
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
We are pleased to submit the results of our joint study evaluating the effectiveness of Ignition Interlock Devices (IIDs) and other vehicle sanctions including vehicle immobilization.
The Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Safety, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Family Services, worked with representatives of law enforcement, the legal community, and alcohol assessment agencies to provide a comprehensive review of IIDs and vehicle immobilization.
The study involved extensive dialogue with legal professionals, law enforcement professionals and local, alcohol assessment agencies, and IID vendors; a review of existing literature, and an analysis including opinions on the use of IIDs and other vehicle sanctions. The final report includes the study findings regarding legal and technical aspects of IIDs and vehicle immobilization, their effectiveness, implementation and legislative considerations for Wisconsin.
Each study participant gave their time, commitment and expertise to the process, and they are to be commended. Thank you for providing the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the Department of Health and Family Services with the opportunity to conduct this evaluation. Questions regarding the study should be directed to Tim McClain, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Safety at (608) 267-5136.
Sincerely,
Frank J. Busalacchi
Secretary
Department of Transportation
Helene Nelson
Secretary
Department of Health and Family Services
Referred to committee on Highway Safety.
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Agency Reports
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
Madison
December 19, 2003
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
We have completed a financial audit of WHA Radio, as requested by the University of Wisconsin-Extension to fulfill the audit requirements of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The Corporation requires audited financial statements of public broadcasting entities to determine future funding levels.
WHA Radio is licensed to the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and is operated by the University of Wisconsin-Extension. WHA Radio received $8.9 million in revenues during fiscal year 2002-03, including state support, member contributions, funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and various other grants.
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Our audit report contains the financial statements and related notes for fiscal years 2002-03 and 2001-02. We were able to issue an unqualified independent auditor's report on these statements.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by University of Wisconsin-Extension staff during the audit.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
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State of Wisconsin
Investment Board
Madison
December 22, 2003
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
Annually under s.
25.17 (14g), Stats., the Investment Board submits a report to the Legislature on investment goals and long-term strategies. As we have done the past three years, I am writing to advise you that we plan to submit the report in February. Although this will be after the December 31 due date, for the reasons noted below, it will enable us to provide a more complete and informative report to you.
The Board of Trustees will consider recommendations on investment strategies and asset allocations made by staff and outside experts at the January meeting. We believe it is helpful to reflect the outcome of those discussions in our report to you. In addition, we will include in the report the effect of the market's resurgence on the trust funds in 2003 and steps we have taken to earn the optimum returns during the volatile markets of the past few months.
The report we submit in February will also include the performance assessment required under s.
25.17 (14m). As in past years, combining the two reports will make it easier to understand the relationship between our strategies and our investment results.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
David C. Mills
