Ordered to a third reading.
Senator Schultz, with unanimous consent, asked that the bill be considered for final action at this time.
Assembly Bill 92
Read a third time and concurred in.
Senator Kedzie, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate stand in recess.
4:05 P.M.
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4:35 P.M.
The Senate reconvened.
Senator A. Lasee in the chair.
Senate Bill 147
Relating to: preemption of city, village, town, or county living wage ordinances.
Senate
Bill 147
Read a third time.
The ayes and noes were demanded and the vote was: ayes, 19; noes, 14; absent or not voting, 0; as follows:
Ayes - Senators Brown, Cowles, Darling, Ellis, S. Fitzgerald, Grothman, Harsdorf, Kanavas, Kapanke, Kedzie, A. Lasee, Lazich, Leibham, Olsen, Reynolds, Roessler, Schultz, Stepp and Zien - 19.
Noes - Senators Breske, Carpenter, Coggs, Decker, Erpenbach, Hansen, Jauch, Lassa, Miller, Plale, Risser, Robson, Taylor and Wirch - 14.
Absent or not voting - None.
Passed.
Senator Schultz, with unanimous consent, asked that all action be immediately messaged to the Assembly.
Messaged.
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Senator Erpenbach, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of his daughter, Amy Erpenbach, who turns 10 on May 1, 2005.
Senator Wirch, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of Karcher Middle School principal Mark Sheldon, who was named administrator of the year by a student council association.
Senator Plale, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of his son Joey Plale, who will celebrate his 10th birthday on May 2, 2005.
Senator Kedzie, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of three of the hardest working and most effective Conservation Wardens employed by the State of Wisconsin. These conservation professionals enforce the conservation laws in a large part of South Central Wisconsin. In the past six months they have investigated and solved some of the largest game violation cases seen in our state in recent years. In one case, Conservation Wardens John Buss, Michael Nice, and Michael Green investigated and charged 4 individuals from Sauk County. Sixteen whole deer, a large nine point buck rack, four wild turkeys, two spot lights, and a .22 magnum rifle with a home made silencer were seized. These individuals were charged with multiple criminal counts which carry a maximum of $2,109.00 in fines and three years revocation on hunting licenses. In a more recent case investigated by Wardens Buss, Nice, and Green, thirteen individuals were charged with widespread turkey and deer poaching in Sauk, Richland, Vernon, Juneau, and Taylor Counties. 106 citations were issued to 13 men for $36,416.00 in fines and a possible 41 years of license revocation. Individual fines range from $437.00 to $7,000.00. Nine large buck heads were seized during the investigation. Wisconsin is truly fortunate to have such dedicated professionals protecting its resources.
S175
Senator Schultz, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of Eric Stanchfield, head of health-care purchasing at the Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds. Eric Stanchfield has been a leader for Wisconsin. He was recognized in a recent article on The Economist.com. The article pointed out that roughly 15% of state budgets in the country go toward paying for Medicaid. State governments also cover their own employees and are looking to get a grip on their health-care bills. Pharmaceuticals are the easiest target, and while many states struggle with this issue, the article singled out Wisconsin as one of a handful of states that have been successful. In this state 240,000 public workers, retirees and their dependents are covered. Under Mr. Stanchfield's leadership, the Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds reduced its drug bill by 23% last year, while maintaining the same level of prescriptions. In fact, the program has been so successful that the governor plans to expand it to cover the uninsured and General Motors has also been taking a look. Because of Eric Stanchfield's work, Wisconsin is being seen as a leader in tackling tough issues in the health-care field.
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Senator Schultz, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn until Tuesday, May 3, 2005, pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1.
Adjourned.
4:42 P.M.
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Senate substitute amendment 1 to Senate Bill 103 offered by Senator Kanavas.