7979.
County-to-County Nursing Home Bed Transfers 8080.
Exempt Institutions for Mental Disease and County-Operated Nursing Homes from Bed Assessment 8181.
Nonemergency Medical Transportation 8282.
Healthy Aging Grants 8383.
Enhanced Dental Services Reimbursement Pilot 8484.
BadgerCare Plus Coverage for Childless Adults 8585.
Consolidate Community Mental Health Programs 8686.
Children’s Community Options Program Technical Modification 8787.
Division of Medicaid Services FF.
PROTECTING WISCONSIN CITIZENS AND OUR MOST VULNERABLE 8888.
Pedestrians Crossing Railroads 8989.
Expanded Payday Lender Authority 9090.
Nonprofit Voluntary Host Families Report 9191.
Increase Part-time District Attorneys to Full-time 9292.
Reference to the Department of Children and Families GG.
SUPPORTING OUR VETERANS 9393.
Commercial Driver License Fee Waiver HH.
PRESERVING WISCONSIN’S HERITAGE 9494.
PECFA Program Sunset 9595.
Frank Lloyd Wright Heritage Trail 9696.
100th Anniversary of the State Capitol 9797.
Proceeds from Sale of Stewardship Lands 9898.
Northern State Forests Master Plans 9999.
Audit of Forestry Account 100100.
Car-Killed Deer Report 101101.
Snowmobile Supplemental Trail Aids Requests to Joint Committee on Finance 102102.
Grants to Nonprofit Conservation Organizations 103103.
Areawide Water Quality Management Plan 104104.
Well Compensation Grant Appropriation _____________
1. Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Funding to the Joint Committee on Finance Supplemental Appropriation
This provision provides a total of $23,503,200 GPR in fiscal year 2015-16 and $34,711,000 GPR in fiscal year 2016-17 to the Joint Committee on Finance's general purpose revenue funds general program supplementation appropriation under s. 20.865 (4) (a). Of this amount, $16,300,000 GPR in fiscal year 2015-16 and $12,400,000 GPR in fiscal year 2016-17 were placed in the appropriation due to actions by the Joint Committee on Finance to reduce the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation's operations and programs appropriation and place these funds in the Committee's supplemental appropriation. I object to the placement of these funds in the Committee's supplemental appropriation because this mechanism to hold these funds does not provide the greatest flexibility for the state's financial position or its policy options.
I am partially vetoing section 481 [as it relates to s. 20.865 (4) (a)] to reduce funding for the Committee's supplemental appropriation by $16,300,000 GPR in fiscal year 2015-16 and $12,400,000 GPR in fiscal year 2016-17 to remove those amounts placed in the appropriation by the Committee related to reductions for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and not otherwise allocated for another purpose so that these monies will improve the general fund balance during the biennium. Doing so strengthens the state's fiscal position and still allows these funds to be allocated by the Legislature for future purposes. By lining out the appropriation under s. 20.865 (4) (a) and writing in a smaller amount that deletes these funds, I am vetoing the portion of the bill that holds these funds in the Committee's supplemental appropriation. I am also requesting the secretary of the Department of Administration not to allot these funds. 2. Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Grants to Various Organizations
Section 9150 (5dc)
This section requires the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to make four grants to specified organizations for a total of $750,000 GPR. The Mid-West Energy Research Consortium is to be granted $250,000 GPR to support Wisconsin- headquartered private companies in the energy, power and control industries. Prosperity Southwest Wisconsin is to be granted $250,000 GPR to develop a regional revolving loan fund program in the southwest region for regional development and entrepreneurial start-ups. Northcentral Technical College is to be granted $150,000 GPR for equipment for its culinary arts program and business incubator facilities. Finally, the Marathon County Economic Development Corporation is to be granted $100,000 GPR for a revolving loan fund to support minority-owned businesses in Marathon County.
I am vetoing this section because I object to reducing the flexibility of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to make its own determinations as to which organizations should be given assistance. One of the purposes of the corporation was to have maximum flexibility in funding the most promising economic development opportunities. The funds that would have been used for these specified grants will instead remain with the corporation to be awarded for eligible purposes at its discretion. However, I encourage the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to collaborate with the Marathon County Economic Development Corporation and Prosperity Southwest Wisconsin to enhance economic opportunities in these regions.
3. Definition of Bona Fide Angel Investments
Sections 2191 and 9337 (4b)
These sections modify the definition of a "bona fide angel investment" under the angel investment credit program to include the purchase of a note or bond that is convertible into an equity interest beginning with tax year 2016.
I am vetoing these sections because I object to changing the purpose of the angel investment credit to potentially create an incentive for the purchases of secured debt instruments in companies in lieu of equity investments. Under current law, investors in such securities receive the credit when they convert their securities into an equity stake. This treatment is appropriate and should be maintained.
4. Conduit Revenue Bonds
Sections 1067b, 1969ab, 1969am, 1969b, 1969c, 1969e, 1969f, 1969g, 1969h, 1969i, 1961im, 1969j, 1969k, 1969L, 1969m, 1969n, 1969p, 1969pe, 1969q, 1969r, 1969s, 1969t, 1969u, 1969v, 2033b, 2037d, 2237d, 2238b, 2515j and 2524p
This provision modifies current law as it relates to the Public Finance Authority and its ability to issue bonds in an assortment of ways. These changes include broadening the authority's ability to own or operate property; allowing the authority to purchase bonds; and empowering the authority to create one or more nonprofit corporations to carry out, or assist the authority to carry out, all or part of the purposes or powers of the authority. In addition, the provision exempts the authority and related nonprofit corporations from having to pay certain property and sales taxes and extends existing personal liability law exemptions to officers, employees and agents of the authority and related nonprofit corporations.
I am vetoing this provision because I object to broadening the powers of the authority and do not support the decreases in accountability that would result from enacting this provision or the loss of local control and loss of state tax revenue. Such sweeping changes to current law decrease transparency and could create unintended consequences, the full extent of which are unknown.
B. TRANSFORMING EDUCATION
5. Statewide Assessment System
Sections 3248b [as it relates to renumbering s. 118.30 (1) (a)] and 3248c These sections require the State Superintendent to review and adopt a summative examination system to be administered beginning in the 2015-16 school year to pupils in grades 3 through 10 in the subjects of English, reading, writing, science and mathematics. The State Superintendent must ensure that each examination adopted or approved under the system satisfies the assessment and accountability requirements under federal law. Additionally, the State Superintendent must ensure that the summative examination system adopted or approved meets the following criteria: (a) the system is vertically scaled and standards-based; (b) the system documents pupil progress toward national college and career readiness benchmarks derived from empirical research and state academic standards; (c) the system measures individual pupil performance in the subject areas of English, reading, writing, science and mathematics; (d) the system provides for the administration of examinations primarily in a computer-based format but permits examinations to be administered with pencil and paper in certain limited circumstances; and (e) pupil performance on examinations adopted or approved under the system serves as a predictive measure of pupil performance on college readiness assessments used by institutions of higher education.
I am partially vetoing section 3248b as it relates to renumbering s. 118.30 (1) (a) and vetoing section 3248c in its entirety. This provision is unnecessary and would have codified assessment criteria in state law that are closely aligned with national standards I oppose and which local school districts should not be mandated to adopt. Ultimately, local school boards across Wisconsin should be able to determine what test they administer and what standards they adopt. 6. Participation in Athletics and Extracurricular Activities
Section 3245t [as it relates to school district membership in an athletic association]
This section requires a school board to allow home-based private educational program pupils residing in the school district to participate in interscholastic athletics or extracurricular activities on the same basis and to the same extent as pupils enrolled in a public school in the district. A school district may not be a member of an athletic association unless the association requires member school districts to allow home- based private educational program students to participate in athletics in the district. Home-based private educational program pupils must provide the school board with a written statement that the pupil meets the school board's requirements for participation in interscholastic athletics based on age and academic and disciplinary records. No person may provide a false statement, and the school board may not question the accuracy or validity of the statement or request additional information. A school board may charge participation fees to a home-based private educational program pupil participating in a district activity on the same basis and to the same extent as these fees are charged to pupils enrolled in the district.
I am partially vetoing this section as it relates to the prohibition of school district membership in an athletic association unless the association requires member school districts to permit home-based private educational program pupils residing in the district to participate in interscholastic athletics in the district. I object to this provision because I do not believe state statutes should stipulate the participation and membership requirements of a private athletic association.
7. Read to Lead Fund Deletion
Sections 65b, 568b, 720d, 723d, 1007b, 1031b, 1678m, 1678r, 1678s and 9406 (1q)
These sections sunset the Read to Lead segregated fund and related appropriations, effective June 30, 2017.
I am vetoing the sunset of the segregated fund and related appropriations because it unnecessarily limits the availability of potential resources to improve childhood reading in future biennia. With this veto, the Department of Children and Families and Department of Public Instruction would be able to continue to distribute reading funds, if they become available, beyond the 2015-17 biennium.
8. Independent Financial Audits for Parental Choice Program
Sections 3355c [as it relates to the treatment of long-term fixed assets] and 3382c [as it relates to the treatment of long-term fixed assets]
These sections require an independent financial audit of private schools participating in a parental choice program. Among the requirements of the independent financial audit is the audit must be prepared according to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) with allowable modifications for long-term fixed assets acquired before 2014.
I am partially vetoing these sections because the reference to 2014 is inappropriate. Participating private schools are transitioning to GAAP-based financial reporting for the 2015-16 school year. Given this transition timing, the reference to 2014 should be removed.
9. Appointment of Director of Office of Educational Opportunity
Section 9148 (4g)
This section requires the president of the University of Wisconsin System to appoint a special assistant to the president to serve as the director of the Office of Educational Opportunity within 120 days of the effective date of the budget bill.
I am vetoing this section in its entirety to remove the requirement that the special assistant be appointed within 120 days of the effective date of the bill because I object to an arbitrary timeline. I expect the University of Wisconsin System to conduct a thorough search for a dynamic and reform-minded individual to fill the role of director of the Office of Educational Opportunity, and such a search cannot be conducted under artificial deadlines.
10. Director of Office of Educational Opportunity Salary
Section 1207g
This section specifies that the Board of Regents shall set the salary for a newly-created special assistant to the president of the University of Wisconsin System, who shall serve as the director of the new Office of Educational Opportunity.
I am vetoing this section in its entirety because I object to the dissimilar treatment of this special assistant position and other special assistant positions in the system. Under current law, the Board of Regents sets the salaries for the top executive positions at the University of Wisconsin System, such as chancellors and vice presidents. Current law does not provide authority for the Board of Regents to set the salaries of any special assistant positions; these are addressed within personnel systems, and the director of the Office of Educational Opportunity should be treated similarly.
11. Custodian of Records for Opportunity Schools and Partnership Program
Section 3387n [as it relates to commissioner records custodian powers]
This section creates an Opportunity Schools and Partnership Program under the oversight of a commissioner. Among the powers of the commissioner is the power to designate one or more persons to be legal custodians of records on behalf of any authority defined in s. 19.32 (1), including state or local entities. I am partially vetoing this provision because I object to the broad authority that the commissioner is given to designate the custodian of records for any state or local entity.
12. Contract for Study of Special Needs Scholarship Program
Section 3224m [as it relates to the requirement that the Legislative Audit Bureau contract for a study of the Special Needs Scholarship Program]
This section creates a Special Needs Scholarship Program for students with disabilities. Among the program requirements, the Legislative Audit Bureau must contract for a study of the program with one or more researchers who have experience evaluating school choice programs. The study must evaluate the following: (a) the level of satisfaction with the program expressed by participating pupils and their parents; (b) the percentage of participating pupils who were victimized because of their special needs at their resident school district and the percentage of such pupils at their participating school; (c) the percentage of participating pupils who exhibited behavioral problems at their resident school district and the percentage of such pupils at their participating school; (d) the average class size at participating pupils' resident school districts and at their participating schools; and (e) the fiscal impact of the program on the state and on resident school districts. The contract must require the researchers who conduct the study to do all of the following: (a) apply appropriate analytical and behavioral science methodologies to ensure public confidence in the study; (b) protect the identity of participating schools and pupils; and (c) require that the results of the study be reported to the appropriate standing committees of the Legislature by January 9, 2019.
I am partially vetoing this section to remove the requirement that the Legislative Audit Bureau contract for a study and the related references to the contract. I object to the practice of contracting with outside researchers for this study. The Legislative Audit Bureau possesses the needed expertise to complete the study.
13. Special Needs Scholarship Program Eligibility Requirement
Section 9134 (6q) [as it relates to the child's attendance in public school for the 2015-16 school year]
This section establishes alternative eligibility requirements for a child to be awarded a Special Needs Scholarship in the 2016-17 school year. Under this section, the child must meet the following conditions: (a) the child applied to attend a public school in one or more nonresident school districts under the open enrollment program in one of the previous five school years; (b) the child applied to attend public school in one or more nonresident school districts under the open enrollment program in the same year for which an application for a scholarship was submitted and the application was rejected without a successful appeal; and (c) the child will attend a public school in the state for the entire 2015-16 school year.
