• FH-20-04(E) creating ch. NR 329 relating to miscellaneous structures in navigable waterways

• FH-22-04(E) creating ch. NR 343 relating to regulation of construction dredging and enlargement of an artificial water body

• FH-23-04(E) creating ch. NR 345 relating to dredging in navigable waterways

Written comments on the emergency rule may be submitted to Ms. Liesa Nesta, Bureau of Fisheries Management and Habitat Protection – FH/3, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921 no later than May 21, 2004. Written comments will have the same weight and effect as oral statements presented at the hearing. A copy of the individual emergency rules may be obtained from Ms. Nesta or they are available on either the Revisor of Statutes website at www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/code or the Department's website at:
www.dnr.wi.gov/org/wa ter/fhp/waterway/emergencyrules.
html.

Phone: (608) 266-7718
FAX: (608) 267-0560

a. Types of small businesses affected: Salvage recovery operations

b. Description of reporting and bookkeeping procedures required: Identical to requirements in the federal NESHAP

c. Description of professional skills required: Identical to requirement in the federal NESHAP

The department is already responsible for implementing this NESHAP, and does so through routine inspection, enforcement activities, and the operation permit program. Incorporating this NESHAP into Wisconsin Administrative Code does not impose additional costs on the the department.

Local governments have no role in implementing this standard and therefore will not incure any costs as a result of this proposed rule action .

NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the Department has made a preliminary determination that this action does not involve significant adverse environmental effects and does not need an environmental analysis under ch. NR 150, Wis. Adm. Code. However, based on the comments received, the Department may prepare an environmental analysis before proceeding with the proposal. This environmental review document would summarize the Department's consideration of the impacts of the proposal and reasonable alternatives.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to s. 85.21, Stats., and interpreting s. 85.21, Stats., the Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing in Room 951 of the Hill Farms State Transportation Building, 4802 Sheboygan Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin on the 19th day of May, 2004, at 10:00 AM, to consider the amendment of ch. Trans 1, Wisconsin Administrative Code, relating to the elderly and disabled transportation assistance to counties.

An interpreter for the hearing impaired will be available on request for this hearing. Please make reservations for a hearing interpreter at least 10 days prior to the hearing.

The public record on this proposed rule making will be held open until close of business May 26, 2004, to permit the submission of written comments from persons unable to attend the public hearing or who wish to supplement testimony offered at the hearing. Any such comments should be submitted to David Lowe, Department of Transportation, Division of Transportation Investment Management, Specialized Transit Section, Room 951, P. O. Box 7913, Madison, WI 53707-7913.

Parking for persons with disabilities and an accessible entrance are available on the north and south sides of the Hill Farms State Transportation Building.

Statutory Authority: s. 85.21, Stats.

Statutes Interpreted: s. 85.21, Stats.

Chapter Trans 1 establishes the Department's administrative interpretation of s. 85.21, Stats., and prescribes administrative policies and procedures for implementing the elderly and disabled transportation assistance to counties authorized under s. 85.21, Stats. The purpose of this rule making is to cap the amount counties can keep in trust funds, update language regarding program procedures and report requirements and allow counties more flexibility in meeting trip purpose priorities.

The current rule allows a county to establish a trust fund and deposit all or part of its allocation into this fund. Trust funds can only be used for the purchase or maintenance of transportation equipment or to make grants to other governments and private non-profit organizations, which provide specialized transportation services. When the rules governing trust funds were established, counties were not eligible applicants under the Section 5310 Capital Assistance program for specialized transportation. (The 5310 Program provides grants to cover 80% of the cost of vehicles with the grantee paying the remaining 20%). In the past, trust funds provided a means for counties to save the significant amounts of money needed for the purchase of vehicles. Counties are now eligible applicants for the 5310 Program and can also contract with successful 5310 Program grantees in their county. The need to save large amounts of program dollars for vehicles no longer exists. Currently, a few counties have amassed considerable sums of money in their trust funds. The proposed rule places a cap on trust funds at $80,000.

DOT's District offices currently have a front-door role in this program, providing basic program information and referring interested parties to the program expert in the Central Office. The proposed changes update ch. Trans 1 to reflect this current business practice.

Currently, the rule prescribes ways a county can meet trip purpose requirements. The proposed rule increases flexibility in how counties administer trip purpose requirements to meet each county's individual need.

The current rule requires that all passenger revenue received in a given year be applied to transportation expenses incurred in that same year. This is difficult to apply in reality as bills for expenditures may now come in for several months after the end of the calendar year. The proposed changes keep the intent of the original rule—applying passenger revenues to transportation expenses—but don't define a timeline.

Providing more flexibility to counties and limiting the amount of aid that may be held in trust should result in higher levels of service to Wisconsin's elderly and disabled population.

The Department estimates that there will be no fiscal impact on the liabilities or revenues of any county, city, village, town, school district, vocational, technical and adult education district, sewerage district, or federally-recognized tribes or bands. The Department estimates that there will be no fiscal impact on state revenues or liabilities.

This proposed rule will have no adverse impact on small businesses.

Copies of the rule may be obtained upon request, without cost, by writing to David Lowe, Department of Transportation, Division of Transportation Investment Management, Specialized Transit Section, Room 951, P. O. Box 7913, Madison, WI 53707-7913, or by calling (608) 266-9476. Hearing-impaired individuals may contact the Department using TDD (608) 266-3096. Alternate formats of the proposed rule will be provided to individuals at their request.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Sections 104.04 and 227.11, Stats., the Department of Workforce Development proposes to hold 5 public hearings to consider the amendment of rules relating to increasing Wisconsin's minimum wages.

Monday, May 17, 2004 - 1:00 p.m.

Rock County Job Center

1900 Center Avenue Room K

Janesville

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 1:00 p.m.

Milwaukee Job Center South/UMOS

1644 S. 9th Street

Milwaukee

Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 1:00 p.m.

Chippewa Valley Technical College

Clairemont Campus

Room 103 Auditorium

620 W Clairemont Avenue

Eau Claire

Thursday, May 20, 2004 - 9:00-11:00 a.m.

UW Marathon County

Room 233 Lecture Hall

518 S. 7th Avenue

Wausau

Thursday, May 20, 2004 – 2:00 p.m.

Brown County Central Library

515 Pine Street - Meeting Rooms 1 & 2 (downstairs)

Green Bay

Interested persons are invited to appear at a hearing and will be afforded the opportunity to make an oral presentation of their positions. Persons making oral presentations are requested to submit their facts, views, and suggested rewording in writing. If you have special needs or circumstances that may make communication or accessibility difficult at the hearing, please call (608) 267-9403 at least 10 days prior to the hearing date. Accommodations such as ASL interpreters, English translators, or materials in audiotape format will be made available on request to the fullest extent possible.

Statutory authority: Sections 104.04 and 227.11, Stats.

Statutes interpreted: Chapter 104, Stats.

Wisconsin needs a minimum wage increase

Creating good paying jobs and a “high end" economy is a top priority for Governor Jim Doyle's administration. A key focus of the Governor's Grow Wisconsin economic development plan is investing in people and helping families climb the economic ladder. One of the most important initiatives in the Governor's plan is raising the state minimum wage. Such an increase ensures that Wisconsin's lowest wage workers will share in the benefits of economic growth as Wisconsin's economy moves forward.

This is a critical time for Wisconsin to support low-wage workers by increasing the minimum wage. In 2004, the federal minimum wage will fall to its lowest inflation-adjusted value of all time. The buying power of the minimum wage in 1970 equaled about $8.00 in 2003 dollars. Given the declining value of the minimum wage and the lack of federal action to increase it, 12 other states have already established minimum wages above the federal level.

When wages are so low that workers and their families can't afford their most basic needs, the costs that society, particularly taxpayers, must bear related to poverty are so insidious that anything that helps divert those expenses back to the consumers of the services provided by those low-wage workers is worthwhile. Educational failure, workforce failure, citizenship failure can very often be traced back to families forced to live in poverty. An adequate minimum wage supports workers, helps strengthen families and communities, and promotes the state's overall economic and fiscal health. Family-supporting wages reduce dependence on the state and increase tax revenue from these families, decreasing the burden on Wisconsin's taxpayers.

It is estimated that 200,000 workers will be affected by Wisconsin's minimum wage increase. Many of these workers are adults and a larger than proportionate share are minorities. Putting more money in the hand of these low-wage workers will result in $175 million in consumer expenditures in Wisconsin's economy. Low-wage workers spend nearly their entire income in the local economy on basics. This spending stimulates the local economy and benefits local businesses because spending is concentrated locally on food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. Evidence of a negative effect on employment opportunities available to low-wage workers as a result of a minimum wage increase is inconclusive as both advocates and opponents are able to produce studies supporting their side of the issue.

Minimum wage increases