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Petitions and Communications
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
July 8, 2013
The Honorable, the Senate:
The following bill(s), originating in the Senate, have been approved, signed and deposited in the office of the Secretary of State:
Bill Number Act Number Date Approved
(Vetoed in Part)
Sincerely,
SCOTT WALKER
Governor
Pursuant to s. 35.095 (1)(b), Wisconsin Statutes, the following 2013 Act(s) have been published: Act Number Bill Number Publication Date
hist8072Wisconsin Act 29 11 July 6, 2013 hist8074Wisconsin Act 30 41 July 6, 2013 hist8076Wisconsin Act 31 62 July 6, 2013 hist8078Wisconsin Act 32 85 July 6, 2013 hist8080Wisconsin Act 33 116 July 6, 2013 hist8082Wisconsin Act 34 135 July 6, 2013 hist8084Wisconsin Act 35 162 July 6, 2013 hist8086Wisconsin Act 36 200 July 6, 2013 hist8088Wisconsin Act 37 206 July 6, 2013 hist8090Wisconsin Act 38 207 July 6, 2013 _____________
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
July 8, 2013
The Honorable, the Senate:
I have approved Senate Bill 200 as 2013 Wisconsin Act 36 and have deposited it in the Office of the Secretary of State. I have exercised the partial veto in Sections 24, 25, 26, 108 as it relates to certificates under s. 73.03 (5), and 238 as it relates to ss. 73.0302 (title), 73.0302 (5) and 73.0302 (6). Senate Bill 200 contains a number of reforms to the unemployment insurance law (UI) that will reduce fraud and waste, provide more clarity for employers and result in savings to the unemployment reserve fund. Among the many significant policies in this bill are provisions that require various state departments to revoke or deny licenses or certificates for licenses or applicants that are delinquent to UI contributions upon request of the Department of Workforce Development (DWD). These provisions are an important mechanism for recouping delinquent UI contributions and ensuring the health of the unemployment reserve fund. This partial veto protects the integrity of these important provisions. However, the bill includes Business Tax Registration (BTR) certificates among those that may be revoked or denied for unemployment insurance delinquency.
I have exercised the partial veto in Sections 24, 25, 26, 109 as it relates to certificates under s. 73.03 (50), and 238 as it relates to ss. 73.0302 (title), 73.0302 (5) and 73.0302 (6) because the inclusion of BTR certificates in the licensure revocation and denial for UI contribution delinquency provisions of the bill is unnecessarily broad. All businesses in the state are required to hold BTR certificates in order to operate and as such, inclusion of this certificate is excessively far-reaching. Further, a revocation of a BTR certificate requires the business to close and lay off any employees. If DWD pursues revocation of a BTR certificate, the Department of Revenue could be required to shut down a business for unemployment insurance issues. If a business is closed due to revocation of a BTR certificate, the business would no longer be able to pay its debts to DOR or any other state agency.
Although UI delinquency is a serious issue, there are other tools available to DWD that would bring an employer into compliance without jeopardizing the business’ entire operation.
Respectfully submitted,
SCOTT WALKER
Governor
