Relating to: the life and public service of William Proxmire.
Read.
Concurred in by unanimous rising vote.
Senator Schultz, with unanimous consent, asked that all members of the Senate be added as cosponsors of Assembly Joint Resolution 70.
Assembly Bill 202
Relating to: special distinguishing registration plates for groups that are military in nature and making an appropriation.
Read a second time.
The question was: Adoption of Senate amendment 1 to Assembly Bill 202?
Adopted.
Ordered to a third reading.
Senator Schultz, with unanimous consent, asked that the bill be considered for final action at this time.
Assembly Bill 202
Read a third time.
The ayes and noes were required and the vote was: ayes, 31; noes, 1; absent or not voting, 1; as follows:
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Ayes - Senators Breske, Brown, Carpenter, Coggs, Cowles, Darling, Decker, Ellis, Erpenbach, S. Fitzgerald, Grothman, Hansen, Harsdorf, Jauch, Kanavas, Kapanke, Kedzie, A. Lasee, Lassa, Lazich, Leibham, Miller, Olsen, Plale, Reynolds, Robson, Roessler, Schultz, Stepp, Wirch and Zien - 31.
Noes - Senator Risser - 1.
Absent or not voting - Senator Taylor - 1.
Concurred in as amended.
Assembly Bill 775
Relating to: fermented malt beverages wholesalers.
Read a second time.
Ordered to a third reading.
Senator Kedzie, with unanimous consent, asked that the bill be considered for final action at this time.
Assembly Bill 775
Read a third time and concurred in.
Senate Bill 403
Relating to: carrying a concealed weapon, possessing or transporting a firearm under certain circumstances, background checks for handgun purchases, photographic identification cards for retired law enforcement officers, requiring the exercise of rule-making authority, providing an exemption from rule-making authority, and providing penalties.
The Chair, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate stand informal.
11:20 A.M.
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11:25 A.M.
The Senate reconvened.
Senator A. Lasee in the chair.
Senate amendment 1 to Assembly amendment 15 to Senate Bill 403 offered by Senator Carpenter.
Senator Zien moved rejection of Senate amendment 1 to Assembly amendment 15 to Senate Bill 403.
The question was: Rejection of Senate amendment 1 to Assembly amendment 15 to Senate Bill 403?
The ayes and noes were demanded and the vote was: ayes, 20; noes, 13; absent or not voting, 0; as follows:
Ayes - Senators Breske, Brown, Cowles, Darling, Ellis, S. Fitzgerald, Grothman, Harsdorf, Kanavas, Kapanke, Kedzie, A. Lasee, Lazich, Leibham, Olsen, Reynolds, Roessler, Schultz, Stepp and Zien - 20.
Noes - Senators Carpenter, Coggs, Decker, Erpenbach, Hansen, Jauch, Lassa, Miller, Plale, Risser, Robson, Taylor and Wirch - 13.
Absent or not voting - None.
Rejected.
The question was: Shall Assembly amendment 15 to Senate Bill 403 be concurred in?
The ayes and noes were demanded and the vote was: ayes, 28; noes, 5; absent or not voting, 0; as follows:
Ayes - Senators Breske, Brown, Carpenter, Cowles, Darling, Decker, Ellis, Erpenbach, S. Fitzgerald, Grothman, Hansen, Harsdorf, Kanavas, Kapanke, Kedzie, A. Lasee, Lassa, Lazich, Leibham, Olsen, Plale, Reynolds, Robson, Roessler, Schultz, Stepp, Wirch and Zien - 28.
Noes - Senators Coggs, Jauch, Miller, Risser and Taylor - 5.
Absent or not voting - None.
Concurred in.
Senator Kedzie, with unanimous consent, asked that all action be immediately messaged to the Assembly.
Messaged
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Senator Schultz, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of Bob Wollersheim. Bob was a Fond du Lac native who earned his masters degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1966. He helped develop weather radar and space satellites for the UW Space Science program during the 60's and 70's. During his years as a professor of electrical engineering at UW Madison, Bob developed a thorough knowledge and appreciation for grape growing and wine making. Bob Wollersheim became a pioneering entrepreneur for Wisconsin. He risked it all on a grand experiment in the Wisconsin River Valley at Prairie du Sac. With intelligence, hard work, and a beautiful personality, Bob and his lovely wife Joann re-built an historic 1850's estate. Today, Wollersheim Winery is Wisconsin's premier winery and vineyard and a state treasure as an historic tourism destination. The influence of award-winning Wollersheim wines on the Midwest and Eastern wine industry continues to grow. Bob died on December 11, 2005. Bob leaves a legacy in which Joann Wollersheim, together with the family's next generation including Bob and Joann's daughter Julie Coquard and son-in-law Philippe Coquard, will keep the vision alive and keep a great Wisconsin value-added agricultural business growing.
Senator Brown, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of the first annual Gulf War Illness Recognition Day.
Senator Taylor, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of the life and legacy of the great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Senator Wirch, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of Kenosha area bronze artist, Frank Colicki. Frank is a lifelong artist who despite having "accidently" gotten into sculpture just ten years ago, has works displayed in several places around Kenosha, and is currently completing a life-size statue of General Mitchell to be displayed at the Milwaukee airport. Senator Wirch would like to thank Frank Colicki for his contributions to the Kenosha community.
Senator Jauch, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of Brad Kesuluk of Lake Nebagamon, Erin Liljenberg of Webster, and Jason Sebens of Spooner, who are here for the Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin's Stars of Life Ceremony. The Ceremony will honor these three, along with others from across the state, for the exceptional contributions they have made to their communities and the dedication that they show to their work. They have also demonstrated a selfless devotion and generosity in their efforts to help serve victims of Hurricane Katrina.
The Chair appointed Senators Lazich and Breske to escort his excellency, the Governor, to the Assembly Chamber for the Joint Convention of the Legislature.
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Senator Schultz, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn until Thursday, January 19th upon the rising of the Joint Convention.
Senator Schultz, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate recess until 6:30 P.M.
12:11 P.M.
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6:30 P.M.
The Senate reconvened.
Senator A. Lasee in the chair.
The Senate proceeded in a body to the Assembly Chamber to meet in Joint Convention to receive the State of the State Message.
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Senate President Lasee in the Chair.
The Committee to await upon the Governor appeared with his excellency the Governor, who delivered his message as follows:
"Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, Mr. Speaker Pro-Tempore, Members of the Legislature, Lieutenant Governor Lawton, Constitutional Officers, Supreme Court Justices, Members of the Cabinet, Tribal Leaders, and fellow citizens of Wisconsin.
Three years ago, I stood in this building and put my hand on the Bible. I took an oath to lead this state during a time of challenge:
• Our deficit was out of control.
• Our economy was out of steam.
• Too many of our citizens were out of work.
• And for many people, government seemed out of touch.
While we still have a long way to go, just think how far we've come.
We cut spending and solved the worst fiscal crisis in our history … without raising taxes. We invested in education while passing a property tax freeze … We protected SeniorCare for more than 90,000 seniors… And together, we created more than 140,000 new jobs.
Today, our economy is growing, new businesses are opening, home values are up, incomes are up, exports are way up, the gas tax is going down, our budget is balanced, and our schools remain the envy of the nation.
My fellow citizens, I can report to you tonight: Wisconsin is moving forward.
Moving forward in job creatioN…outpacing Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Missouri and Minnesota.
Moving forward in early learning…with four-year-old kindergarten for almost 21,000 students this year.
Moving forward on prescription drugs… with discounts for individuals and small businesses, and a website to help every citizen who needs safe, affordable prescription drugs from Canada.
We're moving forward on public safety...with a crackdown on dangerous sex predators … and a national model program that has arrested 135 sex offenders in the last three months alone.
We're moving forward on the environment…setting aside forever more than 85,000 acres of pristine land through the Stewardship program.
We're moving forward on stem cell research, regulatory reform, modernizing our agricultural economy, investing in manufacturing – and restoring fiscal responsibility to state government.
We've made this progress by making smart choices and tough cuts.
We cut $670 million in state overhead.
