This section requires the Department of Natural Resources to charge a daily vehicle admission fee for entry into state parks of not less than $19.85 but not more than $24.85, as determined by the secretary, for any vehicle that has a registration plate from another state.
I am partially vetoing this section to remove the minimum and maximum fees because I object to limiting the ability of the department to determine the appropriate fee for out-of-state vehicle admissions. I further object to the floor for this fee being set higher than the department has expressed is needed in this biennium. As a result of my partial veto, the secretary of the department will be authorized to set appropriate fees.
19. Highway Flooding
These provisions create a new annual appropriation and provide funding for the Department of Natural Resources to provide a grant to the town of Norway in Racine County to assist with the mitigation of water runoff from State Trunk Highway 36.
I am vetoing sections 36 and 9132 (6) in their entirety and partially vetoing section 17 [as it relates to s. 20.370 (6) (at)] because I object to providing an earmark for a natural resources project when the Legislature has abandoned its responsibility to reauthorize and ensure the continuation of the immensely popular Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship program. For over three decades, the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship program has benefited millions of Wisconsinites and consistently earned strong bipartisan support. Instead of renewing the program and helping the many, the Legislature has opted to benefit the politically connected few. The Legislature must do its job and renew the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship program. E. ADDITIONAL KEY PRIORITIES
20. Financial Assets Management
This section provides $100,000 SEG each year from the conservation fund from moneys received for forestry activities for the acquisition of a new financial portfolio management system, due diligence and asset allocation analyses and investment accounting services.
I am partially vetoing section 17 [as it relates to s. 20.507 (1) (q)] by lining out the appropriation and writing in a smaller amount to reduce the appropriation by $100,000 SEG in each year for financial assets management because I object to including funding that does not sufficiently cover the cost of a new portfolio management system, and I object to sourcing the financial management costs from funds attributable to forestry activities. My budget ensured that the board would have the resources necessary for the prudent management of the trust funds, which is essential for the success of the program and its beneficiaries. If the Legislature believes a new portfolio management system is a priority, it should have provided adequate funding from an appropriate source for the board to purchase and maintain the platform. This veto will maintain the funding provided in the appropriation for land asset management, which is appropriately sourced from funds attributable to forestry activities. 21. Positions for the Legislative Audit Bureau
Section 17 [as it relates to the funding for positions under s. 20.765 (3) (ka)] This provision allocates funding to the Legislative Audit Bureau for the purpose of creating 4.0 FTE financial auditor positions in the bureau's reimbursable audits appropriation under s. 20. 765 (3) (ka), beginning in fiscal year 2026-27.
I am partially vetoing this provision by lining out the appropriation under s. 20. 765 (3) (ka) and writing in a smaller amount that reduces the appropriation by $408,400 PR-S in fiscal year 2026-27. I object to this provision because the Legislative Audit Bureau currently has sufficient funding and position authority to fulfill its role of completing statutorily required audits and discretionary audits as directed by the Legislature. I further request that the Department of Administration secretary not allot these funds and not execute the allocated position authority.
22. Funding for Actuarial Audit Services
Section 17 [as it relates to funding for actuarial audit services under s. 20.765 (3) (ka)] This provision allocates one-time expenditure authority in each year of the biennium to the Legislative Audit Bureau to contract for actuarial audit services that may be required in order to gain audit evidence under accounting standards issued by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board.
I am partially vetoing this provision by lining out the appropriation under s. 20. 765 (3) (ka) and writing in a smaller amount that reduces the appropriation by $75,500 PR-S in fiscal year 2025- 26 and $71,800 PR-Sin fiscal year 2026-27. I object to increasing funding for these contracts because the Legislative Audit Bureau currently has sufficient funding to contract for actuarial audit services to complete audits required by state law. I further request that the Department of Administration secretary not allot these funds.
23. Delete Vacant Board of Commissioners of Public Lands Position
Section 119
This section eliminates the statutory directive to the executive secretary of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands to appoint a deputy director.
As I did in 2023 Wisconsin Act 19, I am vetoing this section because I believe that having a deputy director provides important backup and support for the executive secretary and the board to achieve the agency's mission. I object to the Legislature eliminating the ability of the executive director to appoint a deputy by reducing the board's position authority and removing the statutory directive. As a result of this veto, the board retains the position authority for this 1.0 FTE GPR position for appointment as a deputy director. _____________
Messages from the Assembly
By Edward A. Blazel, chief clerk.
Madam President:
I am directed to inform you that the Assembly has
Concurred in:
