LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE

Monday, May 5, 2008

Administrative Center – Room 3220

10:30 a.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Ann Fisher, Bridget Flood, Charles Spiker, John Medinger, Sharon Hampson

Roger Plesha (exc/arr @10:45)

MEMBERS EXCUSED:  None 

MEMBERS ABSENT:   None  

STAFF & GUESTS PRESENT:  Steve O’Malley, Doug Mormann, Cheryl Stephen

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

Committee Chair Fisher called the meeting to order at 10:42 a.m.  

PUBLIC COMMENT

None requested.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION by Spiker/Medinger to approve meeting minutes of April 7, 2008.  Motion carried unanimously; Plesha excused.

RESOLUTION RE SUPPORT INCREASE IN STATE TAX ON ALCOHOL FOR ALCOHOL TREATMENT AND PREVENTION

MOTION by Hampson/Flood to approve the resolution.  Supervisor Hampson reviewed; she noted it as an advisory resolution to the legislature asking for their support.  Statistical informational sheets were attached to the resolution relating to the alcohol problems in Wisconsin.  The last time the beer tax was increased was in 1969; currently 6.5% per gallon in WI which is 3^rd lowest in the U.S.; neighboring states beer tax range from $.12 to .20 per gallon.  One of the goals of the WI Public Health Advisory Council is to increase the alcohol tax; this is also favored by the County Alcohol Task Force.  Supervisor Medinger spoke against the resolution.  Supervisor Spiker concurred, noting his lack of trust with the State and their use of extra tax revenue.  Question asked pertaining to history of alcohol tax increases; answer unknown, but Steve O’Malley offered to get that information before the County Board meeting.  MOTION FAILED on 3 to 3 tie vote:  Hampson-yes, Flood-yes, Fisher-yes, Spiker-no, Medinger-no, Plesha-no.

UPDATE ON THE FOLLOWING STATE ISSUES:

• Update on Current Legislative Session
• Projected State Deficit

Steve O’Malley noted nothing new to report as the legislature is still meeting.    

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Supervisor Hampson noted that she attended the WCA District meeting last week and met Sarah Diedrick, WCA’s Legislative staff person, and she is willing to attend a future meeting.  O’Malley also encouraged attendance at the WCA Annual Conference in October.

NEXT MEETING

Monday, June 9, 2008 at 11:30 a.m.   General agreement to move the meeting time to 11:30 a.m. as the Aging & Long Term Care Committee has moved their start time to 10:00 a.m.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION by Spiker/Hampson to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried unanimously.  The meeting adjourned at 11:06 a.m.

Disclaimer:  The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.

Cheryl Stephen, Recorder