Wisconsin can lead in all kinds of other reforms too and we have the opportunity to make that happen.
On health care, we all know there isn't one magic solution that will completely solve the growing costs of health insurance. Instead, there are a number of things that together can give our constituents the relief they need. For example, the time has come to pass into law tax-deductible health savings accounts. We simply must give families every option available to save money and make health care affordability a reality not a luxury.
We have the chance to lead the nation on a major overhaul of our Medicaid system and will do everything we can to try to make that goal a reality. Every state in America is faced with a major financial hardship due to Medicaid program. We must think differently and work aggressively to serve people smarter and more cost effectively. We have the right people in this room to make this goal a reality.
We all know that education is where we spend most of our money. In fact, almost half of our general fund budget is spent on one thing - K-12 education. There isn't even a close second. It is the right priority to have. We face long-term challenges in the way we fund our education system that we will all need to work together on over the course of the next session. However, there are some things we can do right away. One of them is lifting the caps on the school choice program in Milwaukee. These kids are looking for some hope and it is within our power to give it too them. If we don't help them who will?
We will have a host of ideas that we will pass in the first 100 days to continue to make our state more competitive and successful. Economic growth and major reforms are going to be the hallmark of this legislative session. I am confident that each of us understands the gift that has been offered to us. The chance to make a real difference in the lives of people we have known our entire life and in the lives of people we will never meet.
Thomas Jefferson said, "I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past."
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If we work hard we can be part of something historic over the next two years.
The people of this state have given us a real opportunity to lead Wisconsin at a time when we need action. I am honored to have the chance to work with such a distinguished group of leaders to move Wisconsin forward.
When we achieve the successes we are working for Wisconsin will be a better place to create new jobs and new hope. We will become the best place in America to live, work and retire.
Thank you very much."
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Election of Speaker Pro Tempore
Representative Brett Davis nominated Representative Freese for the position of Speaker Pro Tempore of the Assembly for the Ninety-Seventh Regular Session of the Legislature.
There being no further nominations, the speaker declared nominations closed.
Representative Huebsch asked unanimous consent that a unanimous ballot be cast with all members of the Assembly recorded as voting for Representative Freese for Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore. Granted.
For Representative Freese - Representatives Ainsworth, Albers, Ballweg, Benedict, Berceau, Bies, Black, Boyle, Colon, Cullen, Davis, Fields, J. Fitzgerald, Freese, Friske, Gielow, Gottlieb, Grigsby, Gronemus, Gunderson, Gundrum, Hahn, Hines, Honadel, Hubler, Huebsch, Hundertmark, Jensen, Jeskewitz, Kaufert, Kerkman, Kessler, Kestell, Kleefisch, Krawczyk, Kreibich, Kreuser, Krusick, Lamb, F. Lasee, Lehman, LeMahieu, Loeffelholz, Lothian, McCormick, Meyer, Molepske, Montgomery, Moulton, Mursau, Musser, Nass, Nelson, Nerison, Nischke, Ott, Owens, Parisi, Petrowski, Pettis, Pocan, Pope-Roberts, Pridemore, Rhoades, Richards, Schneider, Seidel, Sheridan, Sherman, Shilling, Sinicki, Staskunas, Steinbrink, Stone, Strachota, Toles, Towns, Townsend, Travis, Turner, Underheim, Van Akkeren, Van Roy, Vos, Vrakas, Vruwink, Vukmir, Ward, Wasserman, Wieckert, A. Williams, M. Williams, Wood, Young, Zepnick, Ziegelbauer and Speaker Gard. - 97.
Absent or not voting - Representatives Hebl and Suder - 2.
Representative Freese was elected Speaker Pro Tempore of the Assembly for the Ninety-Seventh Regular Session of the Legislature.
Representatives Albers and Gronemus escorted Representative Freese to the rostrum.
The oath of office was administered by Speaker Gard.
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Remarks by the
Speaker Pro Tempore
"Mr. Speaker, members of the Assembly, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. It is both an honor and a privilege to once again be elected as Speaker Pro Tempore of the Wisconsin State Assembly.
Many veteran members of this house know that I am passionate about two things - vintage automobiles and history. Don't worry, I will not talk about the history of Chrysler this afternoon, but here is a bit of history that you may find interesting.
In 1836, the first Assembly met in Belmont. There were 26 members elected to a two-year term - just a few more than the 19 new members being sworn in today. They were paid three dollars a day and reimbursed three dollars for every twenty miles that they traveled.
Wisconsin saw a good share of its legislative leaders in the mid-to-late 19th century and early 20th century coming from my part of the state. We had Assembly Speaker's Whiteside, Strong, Hull, Cobb, Barber, Field and Bancraft. Senate leaders include Wilkinson, Hazelton, Eaton, Halloway, Ryland, Martin and Roethe. I'm proud that Senate Majority Leader Dale Schultz and I can carry on that tradition of leadership from our corner of Wisconsin.
Being elected as Speaker Pro Tempore has special meaning for me today. Today, elected to my sixth term, I have become the longest serving Speaker Pro Tempore in Wisconsin history. David Clarenbach of Madison and I shared the record up until a few moments ago. While it's nice to have this recognition, it is much more important to me knowing that I have earned the trust of my colleagues to hold this position for so long.
The position of Speaker Pro Tempore was created in 1959. Twelve others held it before I was first elected to the post in January of 1995. Since that time, we have seen drastic changes in the day-to-day operation of this chamber - with none being more significant than going paperless to full electronic automation. Each of us, young and old, made the move to capitalize on new technologies and save hundreds of thousands of dollars by doing away with paper copies. We've had a few glitches along the way, but for the most part it has been a great success.
Then we entered the internet age. For the first time the proceedings of the Assembly Chamber were broadcast live around the world on the internet. Individuals from all over the world, whether located in Dodgeville, Wisconsin or Taipei, Taiwan, could watch the activity on the Assembly floor in real time. And now we will soon be entering a new age for the Legislature.
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Final approval pending, the Legislature's activities for the first time will be broadcast statewide via cable television. The State's non-profit, programming partner, WisconsinEye, will broadcast coverage of Assembly and Senate committee meetings and floor sessions, along with activities that are going on in communities all across the state. It is my hope that this new age of televised coverage will renew our sense of civility and respect toward others in this chamber. Our constituents will be watching. Now is the time to show the state that we are capable of carrying out our business as professionals.
As the Speaker Pro Tempore, often my role is to serve as the presiding officer of this house when we are in session. As in years past, I will do everything I can to maintain decorum, civility and fairness on the floor. This place simply cannot function as a governing body without all three in place. This is my hope for the New Year.
In closing, I want to thank Speaker Gard and members of this body for entrusting me with the responsibilities in serving as Speaker Pro Tempore. I want to thank my constituents for electing me to serve as their state representative. And most importantly, I want to thank my family - in particular my wife Dawn and my two children, Marie and Drew - and many friends for their love and support throughout my tenure in this body. Thank you!"
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Election of Chief Clerk
Representative Vrakas nominated Patrick E. Fuller for the position of Chief Clerk of the Assembly for the Ninety-Seventh Regular Session of the Legislature.
Representative Berceau seconded the nomination of Patrick E. Fuller for the position of Chief Clerk of the Assembly for the Ninety-Seventh Regular Session of the Legislature.
There being no further nominations, the Speaker declared nominations closed.
Representative Huebsch asked unanimous consent that a unanimous ballot be cast with all members of the Assembly recorded as voting for Patrick E. Fuller for Assembly Chief Clerk. Granted.
For Patrick E. Fuller - Representatives Ainsworth, Albers, Ballweg, Benedict, Berceau, Bies, Black, Boyle, Colon, Cullen, Davis, Fields, J. Fitzgerald, Freese, Friske, Gielow, Gottlieb, Grigsby, Gronemus, Gunderson, Gundrum, Hahn, Hines, Honadel, Hubler, Huebsch, Hundertmark, Jensen, Jeskewitz, Kaufert, Kerkman, Kessler, Kestell, Kleefisch, Krawczyk, Kreibich, Kreuser, Krusick, Lamb, F. Lasee, Lehman, LeMahieu, Loeffelholz, Lothian, McCormick, Meyer, Molepske, Montgomery, Moulton, Mursau, Musser, Nass, Nelson, Nerison, Nischke, Ott, Owens, Parisi, Petrowski, Pettis, Pocan, Pope-Roberts, Pridemore, Rhoades, Richards, Schneider, Seidel, Sheridan, Sherman, Shilling, Sinicki, Staskunas, Steinbrink, Stone, Strachota, Toles, Towns, Townsend, Travis, Turner, Underheim, Van Akkeren, Van Roy, Vos, Vrakas, Vruwink, Vukmir, Ward, Wasserman, Wieckert, A. Williams, M. Williams, Wood, Young, Zepnick, Ziegelbauer and Speaker Gard. - 97.
Absent or not voting - Representatives Hebl and Suder - 2.
Patrick E. Fuller was elected Chief Clerk of the Assembly for the Ninety-Seventh Regular Session of the Legislature.
The oath of office was administered by Speaker Gard.
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Election of Sergeant-at-Arms
Representative Petrowski nominated Richard Skindrud for the position of Sergeant-at-Arms of the Assembly for the Ninety-Seventh Regular Session of the Legislature.
Representative Gronemus seconded the nomination of Richard Skindrud for the position of Sergeant-At-Arms of the Assembly for the Ninety-Seventh Regular Session of the Legislature.
There being no further nominations, the Speaker declared nominations closed.
Representative Huebsch asked unanimous consent that a unanimous ballot be cast with all members of the Assembly recorded as voting for Richard Skindrud for Assembly Sergeant-At-Arms. Granted.
The roll was taken.
The result follows:
For Richard Skindrud - Representatives Ainsworth, Albers, Ballweg, Benedict, Berceau, Bies, Black, Boyle, Colon, Cullen, Davis, Fields, J. Fitzgerald, Freese, Friske, Gielow, Gottlieb, Grigsby, Gronemus, Gunderson, Gundrum, Hahn, Hines, Honadel, Hubler, Huebsch, Hundertmark, Jensen, Jeskewitz, Kaufert, Kerkman, Kessler, Kestell, Kleefisch, Krawczyk, Kreibich, Kreuser, Krusick, Lamb, F. Lasee, Lehman, LeMahieu, Loeffelholz, Lothian, McCormick, Meyer, Molepske, Montgomery, Moulton, Mursau, Musser, Nass, Nelson, Nerison, Nischke, Ott, Owens, Parisi, Petrowski, Pettis, Pocan, Pope-Roberts, Pridemore, Rhoades, Richards, Schneider, Seidel, Sheridan, Sherman, Shilling, Sinicki, Staskunas, Steinbrink, Stone, Strachota, Toles, Towns, Townsend, Travis, Turner, Underheim, Van Akkeren, Van Roy, Vos, Vrakas, Vruwink, Vukmir, Ward, Wasserman, Wieckert, A. Williams, M. Williams, Wood, Young, Zepnick, Ziegelbauer and Speaker Gard. - 97.
Absent or not voting - Representatives Hebl and Suder - 2.
Richard Skindrud was elected Sergeant-at-Arms of the Assembly for the Ninety-Seventh Regular Session of the Legislature.
The oath of office was administered by Speaker Gard.
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Sergeant-at-Arms' Announcement
Richard Skindrud announced that he has appointed Anne Tonnon Byers as Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms of the Assembly for the Ninety-Seventh Regular Session of the Legislature.
The oath of office was administered by Speaker Gard.
Oath of Office
On Wednesday, December 22, 2004, Assembly Speaker John Gard administered the oath of office to Scott Suder of the 69th Assembly District via the telephone. Representative Suder, of the 115th Fighter Wing of the Wisconsin Air National Guard, is deployed in Southwest Asia.
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Communications
November 9, 2004
Mr. Patrick Fuller
Assembly Chief Clerk
Room 208, 17 West Main
Madison, Wisconsin 53703
Dear Chief Clerk Fuller:
Pursuant to Assembly Rule
2 (2), the following officers have been duly elected by the Assembly Republican Caucus:
Majority Leader: Mike Huebsch
Assistant Majority Leader: Jeff Fitzgerald
Majority Caucus Chair: Daniel Vrakas
Majority Caucus Vice-Chair: Mark Gottlieb
Majority Caucus Secretary: Carol Owens
Majority Caucus Sergeant-at-Arms: Jerry Petrowski
Sincerely,
Daniel P. Vrakas
Republican Caucus Chair
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November 16, 2004
Mr. Patrick Fuller
Assembly Chief Clerk
Room 208, 17 West Main St.
Madison, Wisconsin 53703
Dear Chief Clerk Fuller:
Pursuant to Assembly Rule
2 (2), the following officers have been duly elected by the Assembly Democratic Caucus:
Minority Leader: James Kreuser
Assistant Minority Leader: Jon Richards
Minority Caucus Chairperson: Robert Turner
Minority Caucus Vice-Chair: Gary Sherman
Minority Caucus Secretary: Amy Sue Vruwink
Minority Caucus Sergeant-at-Arms: Jennifer Shilling
Sincerely,
Robert L. Turner
