By
Senator
Risser
; cosponsored by Representatives Johnsrud, Berceau, J. Lehman, Boyle and Colon.
To committee on Judiciary, Corrections and Privacy.
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The committee on Labor, Small Business Development and Consumer Affairs reports and recommends:
Senate Bill 21
Relating to: employment discrimination based on creed and exemption from liability and discipline for pharmacists who refuse to dispense for abortions, assisted suicides, and euthanasia.
Introduction and adoption of Senate Amendment 1.
Ayes, 3 - Senators
Reynolds, Kedzie and Zien.
Noes, 2 - Senators
Decker and Hansen.
Passage as amended.
Ayes, 3 - Senators
Reynolds, Kedzie and Zien.
Noes, 2 - Senators
Decker and Hansen.
Thomas Reynolds
Chairperson
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State of Wisconsin
March 11, 2003
The Honorable, The Senate:
Please accept my resignation as a member of the 2003-04 Joint Legislative Council effective today, March 11, 2003. If elected, I welcome the opportunity to serve on the Joint Law Revision Committee.
Sincerely,
Mary Lazich
State Senator
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
March 12, 2003
The Honorable, The Legislature:
As requested by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, we have completed an evaluation of the Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) District. During fiscal year (FY) 2001-02, MATC enrolled 12,504 full-time equivalent (FTE) students, and its total operating expenditures were $152.0 million. It received $29.2 million in general and categorical state aids, in addition to revenue from local property taxes, tuition and fees, and contracts to provide specialized training.
S116
Uncertainty about MATC's financial status led to the attachment of a "negative outlook" to its debt rating in December 2001, in part because of a projected general fund budget deficit of $3.5 million. The district was able to eliminate the deficit and ended FY 2001-02 with a surplus of $784,000. Because of the surplus and the level of reserve funds the district was able to maintain, the negative outlook was removed in December 2002. However, MATC will need to continue to monitor its financial condition, including its management of employee health care costs. In October 2002, MATC signed an agreement with its unions that achieved significant health care plan changes intended to control costs. However, to achieve union acceptance, MATC signed agreements with its unions to forego further plan changes until mid-2007. These agreements could limit MATC's ability to address future health care cost increases.
We also examined the operations of MATC's nine-member Board of Directors, which is appointed by local school board presidents. We include a recommendation that the Board seek guidance regarding its use of closed sessions, as well as a number of recommendations to ensure compliance with state statutes and its own policies. In addition, we include recommendations to improve the information provided to the Board in making its governance decisions.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by MATC staff and the Board of Directors. MATC's response follows Appendix 3.
Sincerely,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
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By Patrick E. Fuller, chief clerk.
Mr. President:
I am directed to inform you that the Assembly has passed and asks concurrence in:
Assembly Bill 3
Assembly Bill 39
Assembly Bill 42
Adopted and asks concurrence in:
Assembly Joint Resolution 19
Assembly Joint Resolution 22
Concurred in:
Senate Joint Resolution 17
__________________
Assembly Bill
3
Relating to: limitations on the filling of vacant positions in state government.
By Representatives Pettis, Suder, Van Roy, F. Lasee, Kerkman, Gielow, Jensen, Ladwig, Hines, Vrakas, Lothian, Freese, J. Wood, Musser and Seratti; cosponsored by Senator Reynolds
.
Read first time and referred to committee on Homeland Security, Veterans and Military Affairs and Government Reform.
Assembly Bill
39
Relating to: membership on the State Fair Park Board.
By Representatives Foti, Vukmir, Staskunas, Ott, M. Lehman, Hahn, Montgomery, Musser, Bies, Olsen, Seratti, J. Lehman, Hines, Lothian, Jeskewitz, Townsend, Ladwig, Albers, Stone, Hundertmark, J. Fitzgerald, Freese, M. Williams, Krawczyk, Petrowski and Cullen; cosponsored by Senators Reynolds, Schultz, Welch and Carpenter.
Read first time and referred to committee on Higher Education and Tourism.
Assembly Bill
42
Relating to: burial at veterans cemeteries.
By Representatives Pettis and Musser.
Read first time and referred to committee on Homeland Security, Veterans and Military Affairs and Government Reform.
Assembly Joint Resolution 19
Relating to: proclaiming May 16, 17, and 18, 2003, Syttende Mai Weekend.
By Representatives Johnsrud, Hebl, Rhoades, Gronemus, Gunderson, Miller, Pettis, Ladwig, Jensen, Huebsch, Olsen, Pocan, Shilling, Bies, Albers, Hahn, Musser, Berceau, Van Roy, J. Lehman, Turner, Townsend, Owens, Petrowski, Ward, Vrakas, Underheim and Coggs; cosponsored by Senators M. Meyer, Chvala, Hansen, Lazich, Kanavas, Schultz, Harsdorf and Risser.
Read and referred to committee on Senate Organization.
Assembly Joint Resolution 22
Relating to: proclaiming April 4, 2003, Sheboygan Day in Wisconsin.
By Representatives Van Akkeren, Kestell and LeMahieu; cosponsored by Senators Leibham and Panzer.
Read and referred to committee on Senate Organization.
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Senator A. Lasee, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn until Thursday, March 13 at 10:00 A.M..
Adjourned.
10:01 A.M.
