I am partially vetoing this section because I object to reducing funding for producer led watershed protection grants. The producer led watershed protection grant program provides funding to projects that focus on ways to prevent and reduce runoff from farm fields. In fiscal year 2018-19, the department received $869,800 in requests from producer led watershed protection groups and awarded $750,000 in grants to 24 groups. Especially given that I have declared 2019 to be the Year of Clean Drinking Water, I do not support reducing the funding to $500,000 annually, which would negatively impact water quality in the state.
B. EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
15. Per Pupil Aid
Section 1459
This provision sets the per pupil aid payment at $679 in fiscal year 2019-20 and $704 in fiscal year 2020-21. This is an annual increase of $25 per pupil in each year of the biennium.
I am partially vetoing this provision to increase the per pupil aid payment in each year after the 2018-19 school year to $679 and $63 for a total of $742. I object to the continued drastic underfunding of Wisconsin's public school children and believe that while the increases in this budget are important, they do not go far enough. Republicans failed to meet the recommendation of their own Blue Ribbon Commission to get to two-thirds funding for our schools. Based on the feedback I heard from the people of Wisconsin, my budget proposed a large but appropriate investment, particularly in special education, because we cannot continue asking folks to tax themselves at the local level to pay for priorities the state should fund. As a result of this veto, school districts will receive immediate additional unrestricted resources to help every student in the state. Even with this change, there is still much more we need to do to ensure that our kids and schools have the resources they need.
16. Supplemental Per Pupil Aid
Section 1464f
This provision creates a grant program that provides $2,800,000 in fiscal year 2019-20 and $2,500,000 in fiscal year 2020-21 for supplemental per pupil aid. Districts would be eligible for this aid if the district's net per pupil payment from the general school aids appropriation is less than the difference between $1,000 and the per pupil categorical aid payment amount for that year ($679 per pupil in the 2019-20 school year and $704 per pupil in the 2020-21 school year). The payment for an eligible district would be equal to $1,000 less the per pupil categorical aid payment amount for that year less the district's net per pupil payment from the general school aids appropriation, multiplied by the enrollment used to calculate the district's per pupil aid in that year.
I am partially vetoing this provision to expand eligibility for supplemental per pupil aid. I object to creating an appropriation that will have a disequalizing impact on our school finance system by benefitting only a small number of districts. Expanding the eligibility allows all districts to be eligible for aid. I believe that state support should be available to as many districts as possible. Given that the Legislature failed to provide sufficient funding for all school districts, these additional dollars should be allocated to help every student in the state. I am requesting the Department of Public Instruction to distribute this funding to all school districts.
17. Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Research Facility
Sections 27f and 9104 (1) (L) 1. a., 2. a. and 3.
These provisions require the Medical College of Wisconsin to secure funding for the construction of a cancer research facility in Milwaukee County in the amount of $85,000,000 from nonstate revenues before the Building Commission may approve any state funding commitment, with the total project cost amounting to $95,000,000.
By using the digit veto, I am partially vetoing these provisions to require the Medical College of Wisconsin to secure $8,500,000, rather than $85,000,000, from nonstate revenues prior to receiving state funding. I am also vetoing the total project cost of $95,000,000. I object to setting an unrealistic and unreasonable requirement for the Medical College of Wisconsin to receive state funding. I believe the lower amount represents a more reasonable requirement in the context of total project costs and timing. Setting a reasonable match requirement will ensure that this important project is able to move forward with state support.
18. University of Wisconsin – Green Bay Cofrin Library Renovation
Section 9104 (11) (a) 1.
This provision provides $500,000 of advanced planning funds for renovation of the Cofrin Library at the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay.
I am vetoing this provision to remove the advanced planning funds for renovation of the Cofrin Library at the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay because I object to spending funds when a preliminary use study is just getting under way. As such, project design is premature at this time.
19. Health Professional Scholarship Program
Sections 126 [as it relates to ss. 20.235 (1) (dg) and 20.235 (1) (dr)], 135g, 135r and 392m [as it relates to s. 39.465 (1) (a), (b), (d), (e), (2), (3) (a) and (b), (4), and (5)] These provisions create a new annual appropriation and provide $800,000 GPR in fiscal year 2020-21 for the Higher Educational Aids Board to provide annual scholarships to no more than five first-year students, including a stipend, equal to $40,000 for each year of a Marquette University School of Dentistry student's enrollment (but not exceeding four years). Recipients must agree to practice in a dental health shortage area, excluding Brown, Dane, Kenosha, Milwaukee and Waukesha counties. In addition, these provisions create a new biennial appropriation and provide $350,000 GPR in the 2019-21 biennium for the board to make grants to the Marquette University School of Dentistry to defray the school's administrative costs related to the rural dentistry scholarship program.
I am vetoing section 135r in its entirety and partially vetoing sections 126, 135g and 392m. I am vetoing the requirement that the students commit to practice dentistry in a dental health shortage area because I object to limiting the funding to one health care practice area and I believe it is important to provide additional resources to support health care professionals practicing in all health care shortage areas across the state. I am vetoing the exclusion of counties for the same reason, as I believe health care professionals should be encouraged to practice where there is need and regardless of location. I am vetoing the limitation on the number of scholarships that can be provided annually and the dollar amount associated with each scholarship because I object to restricting the number of students that could receive awards if more than five first-year students commit to practicing in health shortage areas and there are sufficient resources to fund additional students. Finally, I am vetoing the appropriation for Marquette University School of Dentistry administrative costs related to the program because, as expanded, I object to earmarking funding to the dentistry school when it is unnecessary.
20. University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point Paper Science Program
Section 361
This section requires the Board of Regents to create a 1.0 FTE position in the paper science program at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point.
I am partially vetoing this section because I object to the language which indicates that a position must be created as the position already exists. Instead, I am partially vetoing the section to make clear that a position must be maintained in the paper science program.
21. Safety and Building Operations Transfer
Section 9238 (2t)
This section requires the Department of Safety and Professional Services to transfer $5,000,000 from the appropriation account under s. 20.165 (2) (j) to the general fund in fiscal year 2019-20. This appropriation funds the department's inspections and plan reviews for commercial buildings as well as other safety-related activities. I am vetoing this section in its entirety as I object to this transfer of funds. Regulation of safety and building operations supports economic growth and stability while protecting the citizens of Wisconsin. These funds should be retained by the department to enhance service levels.
22. Grants for Training in County Jails from Wisconsin Fast Forward
Sections 1325h and 1325p
These sections require the Department of Workforce Development to allocate to the Department of Corrections $200,000 in fiscal year 2019-20 and $320,000 in fiscal year 2020-21 for the creation and operation of mobile classrooms, and $225,000 in fiscal year 2019-20 and $262,500 in fiscal year 2020-21 for the creation and operation of institutional job centers at six eligible institutions in fiscal year 2019-20 and seven eligible institutions in fiscal year 2020-21.
I am partially vetoing these sections to eliminate the requirement that the department allocate grants in a specified amount in each fiscal year to a specific number of institutions as I object to such specific figures being determined by the Legislature without consultation with the Department of Workforce Development and Department of Corrections. This partial veto will provide greater flexibility to the Department of Workforce Development while maintaining support for job training at correctional facilities from the Wisconsin Fast Forward program. I am directing the Department of Workforce Development and the Department of Corrections to work collaboratively to provide job training opportunities at correctional institutions.
23. Northcentral Technical College Earmark
Section 9150 (7i)
This section would require the Department of Workforce Development to award grants in the amounts of $75,000 in fiscal years 2019-20 and 2020-21 to the Northcentral Technical College board for workforce training in county jail facilities.
I am partially vetoing this section because I object to earmarks for specific technical college districts and believe this earmark is overly restrictive and burdensome. This partial veto will give the department greater flexibility in allocating dollars for workforce training in county jail facilities across the entire state.
24. Grants for Personal Care Worker Training from Wisconsin Fast Forward
Section 9150 (5i)
This section would require the Department of Workforce Development to allocate Wisconsin Fast Forward funding for grants to attract and retain personal care workers.
I am vetoing this section in its entirety because I object to constraining the department in responding to worker training needs and demands, and I want to provide greater flexibility to the department. The department is able to award grants for personal care workers in the Wisconsin Fast Forward program without this requirement.
25. Grants for Shipbuilders from Wisconsin Fast Forward
Section 1326 [as it relates to the deadline for expenditures]
This section would require the Department of Workforce Development to allocate Wisconsin Fast Forward funding of $1,000,000 in each year of the biennium to shipbuilders and require that shipbuilders receiving grants from Wisconsin Fast Forward expend all grant moneys before July 1, 2021.
I am partially vetoing this section to remove the requirement that grant funds be expended by the close of the 2019-21 biennium because I object to unnecessarily constraining the department's flexibility to use appropriated funds to bolster the state's workforce and economy.
26. Youth Summer Jobs Programs
Sections 230m and 1325b
These sections eliminate the statutory reference for the department to implement and operate youth summer job programs only in first class cities.
I am vetoing these sections in their entirety because I object to diverting funding away from successful existing youth summer jobs programs in Milwaukee that rely on the current funding levels provided. As a result of this veto, the program will continue to be available only in first class cities.
27. Approval of the Wisconsin History Museum and Reporting Requirement
Sections 9104 (8) and 9121 (1t)
Section 9104 (8) specifies that bonds cannot be issued for the construction of the Wisconsin History Museum, as enumerated, without prior approval from the Joint Committee on Finance. The Wisconsin Historical Society must also demonstrate fundraising for the facility in the amount of $30 million. Section 9121 (1t) requires the Wisconsin Historical Society and Department of Veteran Affairs to jointly submit, no later than June 30, 2021, a report to the Joint Committee on Finance concerning improvements to museum facilities in the city of Madison.
I am partially vetoing section 9104 (8) related to the restriction of bond issuance for the Wisconsin History Museum because I object to the creation of burdensome additional administrative hurdles. The Building Commission will provide appropriate project oversight and approval by the Joint Committee on Finance is duplicative and unnecessary. In addition, I am vetoing section 9121 (1t) in its entirety because I object to such a report being submitted to the Joint Committee on Finance as it is not the appropriate state entity to review proposals related to building projects. I am directing both the Wisconsin Historical Society and Department of Veteran Affairs to jointly submit a report to the Governor and Secretary of Administration, by July 1, 2020, that outlines the long-term vision and plans for current and future museum facilities in the city of Madison.
Finally, I object to the undemocratic increasing concentration of power in the Joint Committee on Finance. It is inconsistent with our constitution's requirements for a legislative quorum, bicameral passage, and presentment to the Governor contained in Article 4, § 7 and Article 5, § 10 of the Wisconsin Constitution. 28. Grants to Lakeland STAR Schools
Sections 126 [as it relates to s. 20.255 (2) (fa)], 163s, 163t, 9134 (5p), 9134 (6p) and 9434 (8p) These sections provide $250,000 in fiscal year 2019-20 in a newly-created biennial appropriation for grants to the Lakeland STAR School and the Lakeland STAR Academy. Specifically, they require the Department of Public Instruction to provide a grant of $83,000 during the biennium to the Minocqua J1 School District for the Lakeland STAR School and a grant of $167,000 during the biennium to the Lakeland UHS School District for the Lakeland STAR Academy. No payments could be made from this appropriation after June 30, 2021. The schools must demonstrate matching funds from private donors prior to receiving the funds and the school districts must provide a report to the Legislature and the State Superintendent.
I am vetoing these sections in their entirety to eliminate the grant program for Lakeland STAR Schools. I object to providing state grants to specific schools when the Legislature has continued to drastically underfund Wisconsin's public school system as a whole. I believe that every kid in Wisconsin should be able to get a great education in a public school regardless of what district they live in, and that state funding decisions should not pick winners and losers among our children. Further, I believe that the federal grant the schools were recently awarded should effectively support students attending Lakeland STAR Schools.
29. Personal Electronic Computing Devices Grant Program
Section 126 [as it relates to s. 20.255 (2) (aw)] This provision provides $9,187,500 GPR in each year for a grant program for schools to purchase mobile devices and supporting software and curriculum.
I am partially vetoing section 126 [as it relates to s. 20.255 (2) (aw)] by lining out the amounts under s. 20.255 (2) (aw) and writing in smaller amounts that reduce the appropriation by $9,187,500 GPR in each fiscal year. I object to providing funds to districts on a per student basis using a membership calculation that does not match students enrolled in ninth grade. In addition, I believe that districts may choose to invest in technology through flexibility provided by the revenue limit increase and through the existing TEACH program. Further, these funds could more effectively be spent on programs that close achievement gaps. By lining out the amounts under s. 20.255 (2) (aw) and writing in smaller amounts, I am vetoing the part of the bill that funds this provision. I am also requesting the Department of Administration secretary not to allot these funds. 30. Grants for Robot-Assisted Educational Programs for Pupils with Autism
Sections 126 [as it relates to s. 20.255 (2) (bi)], 146e and 1437p These sections create a grant program for robot-assisted educational program for pupils with autism. A cooperative educational service agency (CESA) could apply to the Department of Public Instruction for a grant to implement a program that uses all the following to teach social and behavioral skills to pupils with autism: (a) interactive, facially expressive, humanoid robots; (b) a curriculum with embedded evidence-based practices; (c) visual supports; (d) video modeling; (e) an automated data collection system; (f) a comprehensive curriculum facilitator; and (g) a pupil activity manual with extension activities. A CESA must include with its application to the department a proposal of how it plans to spend the grant moneys and an estimate of the number of students served. In addition, these sections require a CESA to use the funds to develop, implement and provide the program and to ensure that a licensed special education teacher is present at the location where the program is provided.
I am vetoing these sections in their entirety because I object to creating a grant that is insufficient to support the cost of acquired technology in a limited number of CESAs. In addition, because the Legislature failed to provide a sufficient increase for special education, this program will have limited effectiveness as the sections require that a licensed special education teacher is present at the location where the program is provided, and Wisconsin's current level of special education funding is insufficient to meet districts' and students' needs. Further, I am concerned there may only be one vendor that meets these grant requirements and I oppose earmarking funds.
C. GENERAL GOVERNMENT, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
31. Report on Capitol Security
Section 9101 (1f)
This provision requires the Department of Administration to study the security and safety of the State Capitol and Capitol grounds in consultation with the city of Madison Police Department. A report would then be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature by January 1, 2020, which would include recommendations for ensuring safety and security.
While I strongly support ensuring the safety of visitors and employees who come to the State Capitol, I object to releasing information about potential security vulnerabilities in a public report as it would negate the very efforts of this study. In addition, it is already the duty of the Division of Capitol Police to ensure the safety and security of all state employees, legislators and visitors to the State Capitol. I am, therefore, vetoing this provision, but am directing the Division of Capitol Police to review and update, if necessary, its existing plans for the security and safety of the State Capitol, including input from the Madison Police Department.
32. Capital Planning and Building Construction Balance Lapse
Section 9201 (1j)
This provision requires the Department of Administration to lapse $5,000,000 from the capital planning and building construction services appropriation to the general fund in fiscal year 2020-21.
I am vetoing this provision because I object to this lapse which, when coupled with the additional $10,000,000 transfer of funds from the capital planning and building construction services appropriation to the building trust fund in fiscal year 2019-20 under section 9201 (1i), will leave an insufficient balance in the appropriation, which is used to manage and oversee the state building program. Collection of fees does not always coincide with the biennium in which the project is approved, particularly for larger, more complex building projects, which can create a cashflow problem.
33. Discretionary Merit Compensation Awards for the Department of Corrections
Sections 315p, 1854d and 1854f
This provision prohibits the administrator of the Division of Personnel Management within the Department of Administration from approving a request from the Department of Corrections for money from the appropriation under s. 20.865 (1) (dm) for discretionary merit compensation awards authorized under s. 20.928 (1f). I am vetoing this provision because it encroaches on the authority of the Department of Administration to administer state employee compensation policy pursuant to the provisions of the compensation plan, as approved by the Joint Committee on Employment Relations.
Furthermore, I object to this provision because it would prevent the Department of Corrections from receiving a general purpose revenue supplement for discretionary merit compensation awards provided to administrative and central office staff, which would be afforded to every other state agency. Considering the corrections workforce shortages that have increased over the past eight years, we need to have every tool available for recruiting and training employees for this important work.
34. Volkswagen Settlement Funds
Sections 55c and 9101 (2i)
These sections require the Department of Administration to establish a program to award $3,000,000 in grants of Volkswagen settlement funds for the replacement of school buses owned and operated by school boards during the 2019-21 fiscal biennium. This is part of the total $25,000,000 of remaining settlement funds appropriated under s. 20.855 (4) (h), with the rest to be used for additional a public transit vehicle replacement. Related to the new grant program, I object to the narrow use of Volkswagen settlement funds only for school buses under this provision, given the limited number of school districts to which these provisions would apply. In addition, the state has a responsibility to be a leader in adopting and encouraging the use of alternative fuels as part of an overall strategy to address climate change. Therefore, I am partially vetoing section 55c to remove language directing the Department of Administration to establish a grant program that would award settlement funds to school boards for the replacement of school buses and require school boards to provide matching funds equal to the amount of the grant award, and vetoing section 9101 (2i) to remove the allocation of $3 million for this purpose. As a result of the veto, the Department of Administration shall establish a more flexible grant program under s. 16.047 (4s) that will award Volkswagen settlement funds to advance the use of alternative fuels in accordance with the settlement guidelines. I am directing the Department of Administration to allocate up to $10,000,000 of the settlement funds to this revised grant program for electric vehicle charging stations, and at least $15,000,000 for the transit capital assistance grant program under s. 16.047 (4m). 35. Appropriation for Board of Commissioners of Public Lands Operations
Sections 282j, 335g, 335h, 335i, 335j, 335k, 335L, 335m, 335n, 335p, 335q, 335r, 335s and 335t
These sections remove the deposit of revenues from earnings associated with the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands' management of the common school fund, normal school fund, university fund and agricultural college fund (trust funds) and other revenues associated with management of lands under the board's jurisdiction to the board's trust lands and investments – general program operations appropriation. The provisions also remove the board's ability to deduct or make payments of expenses from these revenues.
