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JAC BUDGET
HEARINGS 12/16/2005
JAC '06
Budget Hearings 12/16/05
0 ~ 12/16/2005 7:58:24 AM ~ Start
Recording
5 ~ 12/16/2005 7:58:29 AM ~ Stop Recording
5 ~ 12/16/2005 7:59:59 AM ~ Start
Recording
9 ~ 12/16/2005 8:00:03 AM ~ Stop
Recording
9 ~ 12/16/2005 8:06:51 AM ~ Start
Recording
15 ~ 12/16/2005 8:06:57 AM ~ Hines - Our
first agency is Board of Law Examiners.
Mary Guthrie
2:07 ~ 12/16/2005 8:08:49 AM ~ Guthrie -
Administrator - We give the Bar exam and see that it is graded. We basically just want to be able to use
the fees that are collected from ones whom want to take the bar exam. Have 5 attorneys that grade the exam. 88% of all WY graduates pass the exam. In
WY you can't take exam unless you graduated from an accredited law school.
7:21 ~ 12/16/2005 8:14:03 AM ~ Jorgensen -
7:43 ~ 12/16/2005 8:14:24 AM ~ Guthrie -
There is a character and fitness exam.
Very few that don't pass this.
10:05 ~ 12/16/2005 8:16:47 AM ~ Agency 103 -
Commission on Judicial Conduct and Ethics
Dave Koerwitz, Chair The
"I" panel can hear complains of judicial misconduct. The Executive Director puts the panel
together. Appoint disciplinary council
if needed. Some complains don't have
merit - we rule on ethics violations.
Some complex issues - do reimburse attorneys for their services. We hire on a case by case. Same attorney might represent the commission
if investigation warrants. We never
know when we may need these services.
Have authority over circuit court judge, district judge. Some have merit, some not. We proceed if need to. Executive Director takes care of
administrative matters. Her position is
compared to the "X" band in state gov.
19:15 ~ 12/16/2005 8:25:57 AM ~ Hines does
the comission have the authority to impose a private sensor?
19:38 ~ 12/16/2005 8:26:20 AM ~ Koerwitz -
yes we do.
19:51 ~ 12/16/2005 8:26:33 AM ~ Philp -
Where are the rules other than the constitution?
20:08 ~ 12/16/2005 8:26:50 AM ~ We are in
process of rewriting rules because of problems that we have run into. We will rec. to Supreme Court and they will
approve or disapprove.
21:24 ~ 12/16/2005 8:28:05 AM ~ Simpson-
What % of complains then become a private censure?
21:49 ~ 12/16/2005 8:28:30 AM ~ Koerwitz -
We have to look at each case. Sometimes
they'll call Carol, but not put in writing.
It must be in writing.
23:17 ~ 12/16/2005 8:29:58 AM ~ We receive
lots of complaints, but after investigating we probably don't proceed further.
24:56 ~ 12/16/2005 8:31:38 AM ~ Schilling -
I've been on the board for long time, but we just recommend to Supreme
Court. Probably only 10-15% that
actually take action on.
26:10 ~ 12/16/2005 8:32:51 AM ~ Koerwitz -
If there is a pattern then we may look more closely. From 80 -90 complains a year - some are cases where they think
the proceeding took too long.
Everything is confidential.
28:30 ~ 12/16/2005 8:35:12 AM ~ All kinds of
things- drug, or alcohol issues, decorum on bench, case took to long, improper
conduct, etc. lots of different
situations.
29:45 ~ 12/16/2005 8:36:27 AM ~ Petersen- Do
you have complaints on same situation year after year??
30:24 ~ 12/16/2005 8:37:06 AM ~ Koerwitz -
Everything is confidential so we have a coding system.
31:51 ~ 12/16/2005 8:38:33 AM ~ Hines - if
no quest , please explain exception budget
32:15 ~ 12/16/2005 8:38:57 AM ~ Koerwitz -
everyone has to have training and we need more for travel.
34:23 ~ 12/16/2005 8:41:05 AM ~ Schilling -
We only have one employee, Carol Collins.
She has $59K plus benefits. The
except. is just for her cost of living increasing. She needs 3% inc. plus the inc. for benefits. She is an at will employee- doesn't have
tenure. She does great job.
37:48 ~ 12/16/2005 8:44:30 AM ~ Hines - Is
your executive director an attornney?
38:05 ~ 12/16/2005 8:44:46 AM ~ Schilling -
Some states require an attorney, but we don't.
38:39 ~ 12/16/2005 8:45:21 AM ~ Nicholas -
Did you have A & I review the salary request? No Please contact Brian
Foster and get him to review to compare w/ other people in state government. You have expended only $32K for expenses,
please let us know who you have sent them too.
39:04 ~ 12/16/2005 8:45:46 AM ~
41:04 ~ 12/16/2005 8:47:46 AM ~ Hines - the
Board of Parole
41:59 ~ 12/16/2005 8:48:41 AM ~
42:00 ~ 12/16/2005 8:48:42 AM ~
42:07 ~ 12/16/2005 8:48:49 AM ~
42:27 ~ 12/16/2005 8:49:09 AM ~ Pat Anderson
- Ex. Director This is only the 2nd
time that we have come before you for requests. The board has the responsitibility for the safety of the
citizens of Wyoming. Most of inmates become eligible for parole. We have to oversee all inmates, even ones in
diff. states. We need to have inc. to
travel budget. We don't use the board
of parole as a "hug a thug".
Make wise decisions. Also try to
consider the individual.
48:05 ~ 12/16/2005 8:54:47 AM ~ Michelle
Dagill - Vice Chair Tremendous job -
many factors that take into consideration - what goes on w/ inmates and
victims. Reentry programs have been of
great interest to us.
49:19 ~ 12/16/2005 8:56:01 AM ~ Jim Wiseback
- Board member Busy board - meet twice a month for 2-4 days Look at 25 or so inmates a day. Have to make a decision on them. Think that do good job. We soon will be having more boards out of
necessity - we do read every case before see individual and we do take to
heart.
51:12 ~ 12/16/2005 8:57:53 AM ~ Pat Anderson
- followup Inc. workload - Has inc.
much Boards are req. to meet quarterly, but they meet twice a month.
53:04 ~ 12/16/2005 8:59:46 AM ~ Jim Anderson
- it seems that the best would be for parolees to have a job. Are you doing anything w/ dept of employment?
53:51 ~ 12/16/2005 9:00:32 AM ~ Pat Anderson
- Board of Parole does not have a way of delivering programs - we work
hand-in-hand w/ dept of corrections. We
have been a sounding board for dept of corrections. Re-enty steering committee we have been a sounding board w/
them. Workforce Serv. does remain as
member of committee. Success rate -
what I have seen in 1 1/2 yrs. They are
getting jobs in oil fields. Keeping job
primarily with meth problem
56:46 ~ 12/16/2005 9:03:28 AM ~ Wisebeck -
part of deal is to have a real plan for getting on parole. I have seen lots of good jobs offered to
them. I think it is working very well.
57:49 ~ 12/16/2005 9:04:30 AM ~ Petersen -
For clarification - you mentioned that you traveled to institutions??? Yes - Do you travel to facilities outside
state of WY.
58:33 ~ 12/16/2005 9:05:15 AM ~ Pat Anderson
- We have access to gov's airplane. It
seems to be more cost effective that commercial.
59:02 ~ 12/16/2005 9:05:44 AM ~ Petersen -
In other states, are they at disadvantage for parole there?
59:49 ~ 12/16/2005 9:06:30 AM ~ Dagill - As
they get closer to parole they are transfered back to WY and so it is not a
prob.
1:00:45
~ 12/16/2005 9:07:27 AM ~ Meuli- We gave Parole offices a hike recently. Is that helping retension?
1:01:22
~ 12/16/2005 9:08:04 AM ~ Pat Anderson -
I can't give specifics, but we do see a difference and feel it. We probably work most closely w/ Cheyenne
office and it seem s to be better.
1:02:59
~ 12/16/2005 9:09:41 AM ~ Hines - 3 people on Board - panel - can make
decisions - That is statutorily. There
are 7 members on board.
1:04:23
~ 12/16/2005 9:11:05 AM ~ Pat Anderson - Board member speaks????
1:04:41
~ 12/16/2005 9:11:23 AM ~ Board member -
we always put safety first
1:04:55
~ 12/16/2005 9:11:37 AM ~ Hines - any further questions?? Exception budget
1:05:15
~ 12/16/2005 9:11:57 AM ~ Pat Anderson - probably natural progression
1:05:50
~ 12/16/2005 9:12:32 AM ~ Hines - do we still have prisoners in all states that
you have listed?
1:06:15
~ 12/16/2005 9:12:57 AM ~ P Anderson - No, just in 3 facilities in Texas. Want a new position - help with
victims. Extremely important for board-
are there safety issuses?? Are there
sp. conditions??Should indiv. be paroled at all? Currently all those functions
are distributed among the 5 people from my office and none have training any of
these areas. Would like to consolidate
this to one new employee. Would help
workload of staff and other things . Board knows that public in general needs
to communicate w/ communicate with all parties concerned. More involvement w/ victims. Don't want victims to have to see the
defendants. Now hook up w/ local
advocate if we can. We need a person to
help w/ all of these duties. Gov.
reduced by $11K and we think that might work.
1:15:03
~ 12/16/2005 9:21:45 AM ~ Warren - Who is doing the contact function w/
victims?
1:15:44
~ 12/16/2005 9:22:26 AM ~ P Anderson - There are several people who make the
contacts. We would like to have one.
1:16:33
~ 12/16/2005 9:23:15 AM ~ Hines - Before January could we get a breakdown on
your travel expenses. Other
questions - will take break
1:17:33
~ 12/16/2005 9:24:14 AM ~ Pause
1:17:33
~ 12/16/2005 9:44:00 AM ~ Resume
1:17:33
~ 12/16/2005 9:44:00 AM ~
1:18:23
~ 12/16/2005 9:44:49 AM ~ Michael Blonigen District Attorney Casper, busy docket along with Laramie
Co. Large increase in Registration of
Sex Offenders, Natrona Co. has 60% more than Lar. Co. Juvenile cases up slightly, these cases go on and on and are time
intensive requiring more attorney time than in past. Probation violations
requiring increasing time. Main
exception request is for a secretary no longer provided by Haida grant. Juvenile cases in large part due to meth, office works fairly well on appropriation
from Leg. 4 exception requests, the
secretary, referenced the Org. chart. Confusing, 6 sec. support positions
explained, misdemeanor attorneys handle about 1,000 cases and have 1 sec. each.
Part-time secretary to only 1 attorney.
Brian Christensen does mostly drug court and has no secretary, uses
whomever is available. Converting
office to WESLAW, paper library nearly gone, CD Rom system ineffective. 2nd
exception request is to support this.
1:27:49
~ 12/16/2005 9:54:15 AM ~ Nicholas - 2 counties that get support from
state. The County DAs have to have
WESLAW libraries pd. by county. You are
shifting cost back to state. No other
libraries are pd. by state.
1:29:22
~ 12/16/2005 9:55:49 AM ~ Blonigen - Law library costs almost like equipment
for the library. Perhaps Natrona Co.
should provide a better law library.
1:30:23
~ 12/16/2005 9:56:50 AM ~ Nicholas - Commissioners eliminate Bar to provide in
your office?
1:30:56
~ 12/16/2005 9:57:23 AM ~ Blonigen - no present plans. Overcrowded and old facility. 3rd item surprising to make vehicle a
budgeted item. Has been pd. but had no
line item in budget. 4th area is
increase in Professional fees.
Particular problem in WY due to availability of expert witnesses. Major cases require increased costs, not
adequate. Anticipate major increase
with retirement of forensic pathologist as coroner reflect $25,000 increase
including the expert witness fee increase.
General budget explained.
1:34:26
~ 12/16/2005 10:00:52 AM ~ Hines - reason why HAIDA funds not listed.
1:35:03
~ 12/16/2005 10:01:29 AM ~ McVey - Grants that flow to these agencies are
uncertain, can't depend on them with certainty to include in budget - timing,
amount, dealt with thru B-11.
1:36:11
~ 12/16/2005 10:02:38 AM ~ Hines - concludes the agencies.
1:36:35
~ 12/16/2005 10:03:01 AM ~ Steve passed out an additional report from D O
Health.
1:36:59
~ 12/16/2005 10:03:26 AM ~
1:37:12
~ 12/16/2005 10:03:38 AM ~ Pause
1:37:12
~ 12/16/2005 10:33:45 AM ~ Stop Recording