∅ Create a Blue Ribbon Commission on local government finances to review local government spending, delivery of services, state mandates and local revenue sources.
The goal of the commission is accountability, efficiency and the best return for the taxpayers' dollar.
Proceeds from the sale of tobacco revenue bonds provide a unique opportunity to help in the transition to a new relationship between local government and the citizens they serve.
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The spenders will say there is no support for cutting local government. If that is your argument, then I ask: Is there support for breaking promises to our schools that will result in larger class sizes and reduced services for special education?
Is there support for turning our backs on your most vulnerable neighbors - the elderly, the disabled and the poor who covet dignity and independence?
Is there support in your community for increasing taxes to feed a government that spends too much as it is?
While funds are short, I realize there will not be a shortage of critics of my Budget Reform Act. I welcome the discussion, but I also say this to the Big Spenders who want to spend more money: Tell me specifically where you will get that money. A critic without a solution is of no value in this debate.
My Budget Reform Act is the right thing to do. My Budget Reform Act is fiscally responsible, and more importantly, it is right for Wisconsin.
This is a pivotal time in Wisconsin's fiscal history, and I urge this Legislature to act quickly and without hesitation for the future of Wisconsin's families. There is much work to be done.
Join me in being creative, determined and unafraid to face the critics. Join me in answering the critics who say it can't be done. Join me in protecting the taxpayers, not the Big Spenders.
The people we represent are ready to chart a new course. They want a government that serves them well - not a government that obstructs common-sense solutions.
They want a government that will validate their trust, not engage in petty politics and spread distrust.
I will meet this great challenge…. I will reach beyond the commonplace and not fall short for lack of courage.
Working together, we will reduce government spending at every level and begin living within our mean….
We will bring the most sweeping, fundamental reforms in our government structure since Wisconsin became a state…
And we will do this WITHOUT RAISING TAXES!
Thank you.
11:45 A.M.
The Senate reconvened.
Senator Risser in the chair.
__________________
Read and referred:
Senate Joint Resolution 55
Relating to: recognizing and congratulating Terry Mulcahy for his long service to the people of the state of Wisconsin and the United States of America.
By
Senators
Panzer, S. Fitzgerald, Zien, Rosenzweig, Darling, Kanavas, Breske, Ellis, Welch, Grobschmidt, Huelsman, Jauch, Erpenbach, A. Lasee, Risser, Cowles, Harsdorf, Roessler, Lazich and Schultz; cosponsored by Representatives Jensen, Stone, Petrowski, McCormick, Ryba, Kestell, Rhoades, Walker, Gronemus, Gunderson, Lippert, Black, Jeskewitz, Bies, Hahn, Ladwig, Olsen, Pettis, Musser, Urban, Plouff, Starzyk, Turner, Owens, Plale, Miller, Coggs, J. Lehman, Lassa and Vrakas.
To committee on Senate Organization.
__________________
Read first time and referred:
Senate Bill 393
Relating to: electric personal assistive mobility devices, granting rule-making authority, and providing penalties.
By
Senator
Breske
; cosponsored by Representative Stone
.
To committee on Insurance, Tourism, and Transportation.
Senate Bill 394
Relating to: withholding from public inspection information about public utility security.
By
Senators
Cowles, M. Meyer, A. Lasee, Huelsman and Darling; cosponsored by Representatives Huebsch, Duff, Meyerhofer, Hahn, Krawczyk, Olsen, Musser, M. Lehman, Hines, Lassa, Vrakas, Sykora and Ott.
To committee on Health, Utilities, Veterans and Military Affairs.
Senate Bill 395
Relating to: temporary supplemental unemployment insurance benefits and certain other changes to the unemployment insurance law.
By
Senators
Hansen, A. Lasee, Jauch, Plache, Baumgart, Robson, Wirch, Erpenbach, Breske, M. Meyer, Burke, Grobschmidt, Moen, Decker, Shibilski, George, Moore, Risser and Chvala; cosponsored by Representatives Hundertmark and Turner.
To committee on Labor and Agriculture.
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Ethics Board
January 22, 2002
The Honorable, The Senate:
The following lobbyists have been authorized to act on behalf of the organizations set opposite their names.
For more detailed information about these lobbyists and organizations and a complete list of organizations and people authorized to lobby the 2001 session of the legislature, visit the Ethics Board's web site at
http://ethics.state.wi.us/
Forester, John D Wisconsin Council for Administrators of Special Services
Forester, John D Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators
Forester, John D Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials
Forester, John D Association of Wisconsin School Administrators
Kammer, Peter EDS - Electronic Data Systems Corporation
Mason, Cory Wisconsin Federation of Teachers
Toma, Albert Georgia-Pacific Corporation
Watson, Joshua Golden Rule Insurance Company
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Also available from the Wisconsin Ethics Board are reports identifying the amount and value of time state agencies have spent to affect legislative action and reports of expenditures for lobbying activities filed by organizations that employ lobbyists.
Sincerely,
Roth Judd
Director
__________________
Senator Robson, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate recess until 2:20 P.M..
11:47 A.M.
__________________
2:20 P.M.
The Senate reconvened.
Senator Risser in the chair.
__________________
Barnett, Jeffrey,
of Whitewater, as a member of the Professional Standards Council for Teachers, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2001.
Read.
The question was: Confirmation?
The ayes and noes were required and the vote was: ayes, 32; noes, 0; absent or not voting, 1; as follows:
Ayes - Senators Baumgart, Breske, Burke, Chvala, Cowles, Darling, Decker, Ellis, Erpenbach, S. Fitzgerald, George, Grobschmidt, Hansen, Harsdorf, Huelsman, Jauch, Kanavas, A. Lasee, Lazich, M. Meyer, Moen, Moore, Panzer, Plache, Risser, Robson, Roessler, Rosenzweig, Shibilski, Welch, Wirch and Zien - 32.
Noes - None.
Absent or not voting - Senator Schultz - 1.
Confirmed.
Senator Chvala, with unanimous consent, asked that all the appointments be taken up en masse except for the appointments of Connie L. OConnell and Jennifer Reinert.
Berg
, Crystal,
of Hartford, as a member of the Examining Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors, to serve for the interim term ending May 1, 2004.
Read
Carlin
, Marte J.,
of Green Bay, as a member of the Council on Domestic Abuse, to serve for the interim term ending July 1, 2003.
Read
Connolly-Keesler, Eileen,
of Neenah, as a member of the Council on Domestic Abuse, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2004.
Read.
Elman
, William R.,
of Appleton, as a member of the Land and Water Conservation Board, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2005.
Read.
