President
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
November 20, 2003
The Honorable, The Legislature:
On September 24, 2003, you requested that we conduct an audit of the Legislative Technology Services Bureau (LTSB). As requested, we have completed our review of LTSB, which manages information systems for the Legislature and its service agencies. In fiscal year (FY) 2002-03, LTSB spent $4.8 million from two appropriations and had an authorized staffing level of 25.0 full-time equivalent positions. Currently, it also employs 19.0 non-state workers through an arrangement with a private vendor.
We found significant deficiencies in LTSB's financial management, procurement, time management, network security, and strategic planning. For example, we found numerous inaccuracies in the financial information recorded on the State's accounting system, inadequate documentation for major maintenance agreements, and inadequate security controls. We also found significant problems in a staffing arrangement LTSB made with a private vendor, which was initiated without a request for proposals or a written contract. Since FY 1998-99, this vendor has been paid $5.9 million.
We have made 17 specific recommendations to improve financial and program management, including a recommendation that LTSB's new director assess whether administrative efficiencies can be achieved or staffing levels reduced. We are available to assist LTSB's new director in developing improved policies, procedures, and management reports, if requested.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by Interim Director Terry Anderson and LTSB staff during the course of this review.
Sincerely,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
State of Wisconsin
Ethics Board
December 2, 2003
The Honorable, The Senate:
The following lobbyists have been authorized to act on behalf of the organizations set opposite their names.
For more detailed information about these lobbyists and organizations and a complete list of organizations and people authorized to lobby the 2003 session of the legislature, visit the Ethics Board's web site at
http://ethics.state.wi.us
Appling, Julaine K Family Research Institute of Wisconsin Inc
Hanson, Thomas Citigroup Management Corporation
Knier, Julie M Brown County
Little, Steven C Citigroup Management Corporation
Murray, Peter T Wisconsin Association of Lakes Inc
Taffora, Raymond Gateway Technical College
Taylor, Chad Gateway Technical College
Also available from the Wisconsin Ethics Board are reports identifying the amount and value of time state agencies have spent to affect legislative action and reports of expenditures for lobbying activities filed by organizations that employ lobbyists.
Sincerely,
R. Roth Judd
Director
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
November 19, 2003
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Bartell, Jeffrey B.,
of Madison, as a member of the Artistic Endowment Foundation, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2010.
Sincerely,
JIM DOYLE
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Higher Education and Tourism.
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
November 26, 2003
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Renwick, Suzette,
of La Crosse, as a member of the Artistic Endowment Foundation, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2010.
Sincerely,
JIM DOYLE
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Higher Education and Tourism.
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Relating to assessments on occupied, liensed beds in nursing homes and intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded (ICF-MR).
Submitted by Department of Health and Family Services.
Report received from Agency, December 1, 2003.
Referred to committee on Health, Children, Families, Aging and Long Term Care, December 3, 2003.
Relating to the children at risk program.
Submitted by Department of Public Instruction.
Report received from Agency, December 1, 2003.
Referred to committee on Education, Ethics and Elections, December 3, 2003.
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The committee on Environment and Natural Resources reports and recommends:
Relating to national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants for facilities that apply surface coatings to large appliances.
No action taken.
Relating to groundwater quality standards for arsenic.
No action taken.
Neal Kedzie
Chairperson
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State of Wisconsin
Revisor of Statutes Bureau
December 1, 2003
To the Honorable, the Senate:
The following rules have been published:
Sincerely,
GARY L. POULSON
Deputy Revisor
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Chief Clerk's Report
The Chief Clerk records:
Senate Bill 121
Senate Bill 168
Senate Bill 243
Senate Bill 300
Presented to the Governor on December 1, 2003.
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Senate amendment 1 to Senate Bill 110 offered by Senator A. Lasee.
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