Third, I'm funding an effort to strengthen more than 100 small manufacturers in our state that supply big Wisconsin companies like Harley Davidson, John Deere, and Oshkosh Truck.
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Fourth, and finally, we need to rededicate ourselves to training and retraining our workers, and making sure that our technical colleges remain the finest in the nation.
I believe we should make Wisconsin a place where every person can go as far as their talent and hard work will take them.
That's why I've worked so hard with Republicans and Democrats to cut taxes and red tape, expand access to investment capital and help new businesses get started. We've supported regional business partnerships like the New North initiative, which is helping launch a venture capital fund in Northeast Wisconsin. It will be one of the first in that region, and they plan to invest $10 million to build the jobs and economy of the future.
Even as we invest in and modernize core industries like manufacturing, agriculture and tourism, we are also growing new ones … like biotechnology, information technology, and nanotechnology.
And Wisconsin – the birthplace of stem cell research – is giving millions of families hope that one day diseases like Parkinsons, Alzheimers and Juvenile Diabetes may be conquered. These breakthroughs in medical science can transform our economy and open doors to new industries we've only dreamed of.
In less than a decade, the market for stem cell products could reach $10 billion and create 100,000 jobs. Tonight, I offer an ambitious goal for our state – to capture 10 percent of this market by 2015.
To that end, I'm directing the Department of Commerce to dedicate at least $5 million to find, fund, and recruit companies turning stem cell technology into high paying jobs. I'm asking Forward Wisconsin to launch a new effort to brand our state as the stem cell leader. And I'm asking you to pass legislation supporting the Biomedical Technology Alliance in Southeast Wisconsin.
We're joined here tonight by Michelle Alswager from Madison, and her 9 year-old son Jesse. He's a great kid. He does well in school, plays little league, he's on the swim team at the Ridgewood pool, and according to his mother, every now and then, he even cleans his room. Jesse's mom has made it her mission to give him a normal life … even though Jesse has juvenile diabetes.
Not only is Michelle fighting for her own child, but she and her son have testified before Congress, and have become advocates for the stem cell research which could help millions of other families.
Michelle and Jesse, I want you to know… I want this Legislature to know… I want the researchers in our labs and across the nation to know… as long as I am Governor, Wisconsin will never allow politics to stand in the way of curing disease.
I know that families across Wisconsin are wondering how they are going to afford their heating bills this year.
I get angry just thinking about how, after Hurricane Katrina, as our fellow citizens clung to rooftops and searched the waters for lost relatives, the oil companies were running up their prices and reaping the largest corporate profits in history.
Some people have criticized me for taking on the oil companies – but I think we should be getting a refund from the $100 billion they racked up in profits last year.
And if Congress won't do the right thing and make them pay, we will at least work to make energy bills more affordable for you.
That's why we doubled our commitment to energy assistance to help people pay their bills…we encouraged the utilities to offer $12 million in relief to middle-class families…we ended automatic gas tax increases, and called for legislation sponsored by Senator Hansen and Representative Zepnick to outlaw price gouging at the pump…to reduce energy demand, we turned down the temperature in state buildings – including the Capitol.
But we must do more. Thousands of Wisconsin families are struggling to pay their December heating bill, but they aren't eligible for federal assistance because their income is a little too high.
So tonight … I propose an emergency heating assistance package to provide $6 million to families who make $40,000 a year or less. We're in the heart of the heating season, and these families need help. I'm asking you to pass this legislation immediately.
And that's not all. We must reduce our dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels.
Senator Cowles and Representative Montgomery are working to pass the recommendations of my Task Force on Renewable Energy – including getting 10 percent of our energy from renewable sources by 2015.
It's an ambitious goal … but it's the right goal and we should settle for nothing less. I urge you to pass the bill without watering it down and without delay.
Finally, I'm calling for the ethanol bill authored by Senator Harsdorf and Representatives Freese and Gronemus. Ethanol is clean, it's renewable, it's less expensive, it helps Wisconsin farmers, and it reduces the demand for foreign oil. Let's pass this bill, because America ought to be more dependent on the Midwest, and not the Mideast.
Wisconsin is home to many renewable resources – but one of our most precious resources can never be replaced. I'm talking about the Great Lakes. That's why last year I signed an agreement that protects these waters from being diverted to Arizona or New Mexico. Now, it's time to pass the legislation I called for in my Conserve Wisconsin agenda – ending ballast water discharges from cargo ships and stopping the spread of invasive species.
From my days as a prosecutor to my time as Attorney General to my work as Governor, I've always demanded the highest standards of integrity.
Last April, I unveiled sweeping election reforms to modernize the system and correct the problems of 2004… including better training for poll workers, merging the elections and ethics boards, and stopping felons from voting illegally.
Two weeks ago, I offered up significant and bipartisan ethics reforms – including a ban on all fundraising during the budget process and putting the brakes on former officials who want to turn around and lobby the government they helped run. These reforms make common sense, they'll make a difference, and tonight, I ask you to make them law.
Two years ago, Senators Ellis and Erpenbach offered a blueprint for comprehensive campaign finance reform. It would end the phony issue ads, and includes strong public financing. It is bipartisan, it is major reform, and it is time the Legislature passed it.
In the past year, Jessica and I have seen the goodness of the people of Wisconsin firsthand. We've seen how our citizens responded with generosity and helped one another after the tornadoes hitDane, Richland, and Vernon counties. And we saw how they mobilized to help those whose lives were upended by Hurricane Katrina.
Not long ago, I got a letter from Patrick Owen, an officer at the Fox Lake Correctional Institution who spent four weeks volunteering to help the Red Cross in Louisiana. Patrick, could you stand please?
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He wrote to thank me for allowing him and other state employees to take time off and help in the relief effort. But Patrick, I want to thank you and all of your colleagues who gave their time and talents to help the victims of Katrina. You are a perfect example of the great contributions state employees make every day – and you make Wisconsin proud.
But even as we sit here tonight, let's not forget that there's another group of public servants overseas who are making incredible sacrifices for our country.
I've met these men and women at troop sendoffs, as they've said goodbye to their loved ones. I've seen how communities rally to welcome them home. And I've been with dozens of families as they've mourned the loss of a son or a daughter, a brother, a sister, a mother, or a father taken tragically and all too soon from their lives.
Nearly 2,000 members of our Wisconsin National Guard are serving America far from the comfort and safety of their homes. I've gotten to know many of them and their families, and I can tell you this: they represent Wisconsin's finest.
These men and women are truly Wisconsin's heroes. We owe them more than our thanks and respect tonight. We owe them our solemn commitment that while they are doing their jobs overseas, we'll do our job here at home.
Let their patriotism be our inspiration. Let their sense that we're all in this together be our example. And let their families' dreams be our cause.
Here in this chamber, let us rededicate ourselves to moving this state forward so that these brave men and women – and all the hardworking families in Wisconsin, can afford to get an education, buy a home, and enjoy all the great things that life in our state has to offer.
Let's keep Wisconsin moving forward.
On Wisconsin."
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Adjourned.
8:06 P.M.
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Senate substitute amendment 2 to Senate Bill 320 offered by Senator Kanavas.
Senate substitute amendment 1 to Senate Bill 395 offered by Senator A. Lasee.
Senate substitute amendment 1 to Senate Bill 441 offered by Senator A. Lasee.
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The Chief Clerk records:
Senate Bill 403
Report correctly enrolled on January 17, 2006.
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Motions Under Senate Rule
98 and Joint Rule
7
for the Month of December 2005
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Taylor, for ALSCO, on the occasion of sponsoring the 16th Annual Christmas Family Feast.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Taylor, for American Family Insurance, on the occasion of sponsoring the 16th Annual Christmas Family Feast.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Cowles, for Herb Behnke, on the occasion of his retirement from the Natural Resource Board.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Harsdorf, for Mr. Phil Betzel, on the occasion of his retirement and his many years of service to the First National Bank of River Falls.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Erpenbach, for Thomas Bjoraker, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Ellis, for Lois Helen Block, on the occasion of celebrating her 90th Birthday shared with family and friends.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Taylor, for Brewer's Charities, Inc., on the occasion of sponsoring the 16th Annual Christmas Family Feast.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Taylor, for CHRYSPAC, on the occasion of sponsoring the 16th Annual Christmas Family Feast.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Taylor, for Cedar Crest, on the occasion of sponsoring the 16th Annual Christmas Family Feast.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Darling, for J. Michael Clumpner, on the occasion of his years of faithful service to the Wisconsin College Savings Program Board.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Taylor, for Patrick Cudahy, on the occasion of sponsoring the 16th Annual Christmas Family Feast.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Erpenbach, for Erik Endres, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Taylor, for Golden Guernsey, on the occasion of sponsoring the 16th Annual Christmas Family Feast.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Taylor, for Heavenly Ham, on the occasion of sponsoring the 16th Annual Christmas Family Feast.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Reynolds, for Leon Harris, on the occasion of his retirement after 30 years of teaching at Milwaukee Area Technical College.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Reynolds, for Margaret Harris, on the occasion of her retirement after 30 years of teaching at Milwaukee Area Technical College.
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A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Ellis, for Andy C. Hopfensperger, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Taylor, for Hupy Law Firm, on the occasion of sponsoring the 16th Annual Christmas Family Feast.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Roessler, for David Janzen, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Decker, for Joseph T. Kuzma, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Taylor, for Sara Lee, on the occasion of sponsoring the 16th Annual Christmas Family Feast.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Roessler, for Mark Lefeber, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Taylor, for Levy Restaurants, on the occasion of sponsoring the 16th Annual Christmas Family Feast.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Decker, for Andrew T. Marshall, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Taylor, for Maximus, on the occasion of sponsoring the 16th Annual Christmas Family Feast.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Taylor, for McDonalds, on the occasion of sponsoring the 16th Annual Christmas Family Feast.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Taylor, for Midwest Airlines Center, on the occasion of sponsoring the 16th Annual Christmas Family Feast.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Taylor, for Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department, on the occasion of sponsoring the 16th Annual Christmas Family Feast.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Taylor, for Milwaukee County Transit System, on the occasion of sponsoring the 16th Annual Christmas Family Feast.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Brown, for Don Norrell, on the occasion of his 28 years of service to the City of Eau Claire.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Taylor, for Jewel Osco, on the occasion of sponsoring the 16th Annual Christmas Family Feast.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Roessler, for Parkside Elementary School of Fond du Lac, on the occasion of being named a New Wisconsin Promise School.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Decker, for Stephan A. Pipkorn, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Taylor, for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, on the occasion of sponsoring the 16th Annual Christmas Family Feast.
