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
__________________
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.
S530
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.
__________________
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.
__________________
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.
We eliminated almost 4,000 positions from the state payroll.
We renegotiated contracts – like one that saved taxpayers $93 million.
We reduced outside contracting by 12 percent – the first reduction in a decade.
We're using the state's buying power to save taxpayers $150 million on everything from office paper to computers to prescription drugs.
We auctioned 1,000 cars...eliminated 1,500 cell phones… and sold eight airplanes. Believe me, state government doesn't need its own airline.
Quite simply, I try to never forget that it's the taxpayers of this state who pay the bills. It's your money. Let's work to spend every dollar as wisely as you would, and focus on the things that matter most.
Three years ago, I stood here and promised the people of Wisconsin I wouldn't raise their taxes – and I kept my word.
I said no to higher sales taxes…
No to higher income taxes…
No to higher excise taxes…
And in fact we've cut taxes…for veterans…for businesses… or manufacturers…
Repealed automatic increases in gas taxes…
Expanded middle class tax deductions...for health care…for college...
And next year, the tax on Social Security benefits will be history.
All together, I have signed into law tax cuts worth more than $660 million. That's right, more than half a billion dollars in tax cuts.
Oh yes … one more thing. We moved forward on property tax relief – with the toughest limits on property taxes in Wisconsin history.
The plan the Republican legislature first sent me would have devastated education. But I did it the right way – enacting a property tax freeze that protects our schools while bringing desperately needed relief to Wisconsin families. As a result, the average bill had only a small increase. And for the first time in years, many homeowners saw their property tax bill actually go down.
In fact, the property tax burden for existing homes and businesses went down by $51 million.
By cutting spending, holding the line on taxes, establishing priorities like education, creating new jobs, and protecting our environment … Wisconsin is moving forward.
But even though we've made real progress for real people, we know there's more to do …particularly for middle-class families who are getting squeezed.
Too many of our neighbors are struggling to pay their bills, their taxes, and do the best they can for their kids.
S531
A few weeks ago, I met Paul and Sue Miller at their home in Eau Claire, and I've asked them to join us tonight. A police officer and a dietician, they are a great Wisconsin family, not very different from so many of you watching tonight. They're incredibly proud of their daughter Carolyn (Carol-lin), who's now in college, and their son Sam, who's seventeen. Next year, he'll be off to college as well.
The Millers tell me they love living in Wisconsin and raising a family here. But they wonder how they're going to pay for two kids in college. They have a knot in their stomach every year when that property tax bill comes. They worry about the rising costs of long-term care … and like most people, the thing that really heats them up is opening the gas bill each month.
It's folks like the Millers I try to keep in mind every day. They don't expect government to solve all their problems, but they do want to know that state government is on their side.
And so tonight, I offer an agenda to make Wisconsin more affordable for middle-class families … an Affordability Agenda for families like the Millers.
An Affordability Agenda that says no family should have to go bankrupt if they get sick. An Affordability Agenda that says you shouldn't have to choose between paying your energy bill and saving for college. An agenda that says every person who wants it and works for it should be able to afford a great education. An agenda that says manufacturing jobs are not a thing of the past but the heart of our future. An agenda of fiscal restraint and lower taxes so you keep more of what you earn. An agenda of high standards, high expectations, and determination that Wisconsin's best days lie ahead.
Middle class families like Paul and Sue Miller are being squeezed, and the first thing they're worried about is health care.
Let's be honest. No state can solve the national health care crisis by itself. And it's a disgrace that our Congress and President let 46 million people face each day without health coverage. The wealthiest nation on earth should be the healthiest.
But Washington's failure can't be ours. We must do what we can to make health care more affordable for average Wisconsin families. It's why we're working to lower prices on prescription drugs, create health care co-ops, and expand tax deductions for health insurance premiums. It's why many of you in this room have been calling for an action plan on affordable health care.
And it's also why -- when the so-called Medicare prescription drug plan caused so much confusion and threatened to deny seniors their lifesaving drugs -- we stepped in so Wisconsin seniors can get the drugs they need … until Congress can fix the problem they created.
Almost every day, I talk to parents who live in fear that if they or one of their children is seriously injured, all their savings will be lost to cover the health care bills.
Small business owners tell me the same thing—if just one employee develops a serious illness, their health care costs could double.
Let's be honest. You can't make a dent in health care costs until you address the exploding price of catastrophic care … because 50 percent of health care costs are incurred by 5 percent of the people.
And so, as part of my Affordability Agenda, tonight I propose a new endeavor called Healthy Wisconsin, to help lower health care costs and pass along the savings to middle class families.
The state will set up a large, catastrophic insurance pool with lower rates that employers can join. By working together to lower the price of insuring the sickest among us, we can reduce health care costs for everyone.
New York has a similar program that has lowered premiums for some small businesses by as much as 30 percent. That can be the difference between your employer keeping you covered or cutting you off.
Let's make this happen. Because in Wisconsin, health care should be a birthright – not a ticket to bankruptcy.
Even as we expand our commitment to health coverage, we need to make sure that some companies aren't reducing theirs.
Wal-Mart is one of the most profitable companies in the world, yet it has more than 1,200 employees and dependents on BadgerCare—far more than any other company in the state. And Wisconsin's taxpayers are picking up the tab.
I want to make this very clear to Wal-Mart and any other company that might be thinking of shifting its health care responsibility to taxpayers: BadgerCare is intended to help working families, not multibillion dollar corporations.
Tonight, I am calling on the Legislature to outlaw the practice of health care dumping. Companies cannot be allowed to deliberately manipulate the system. If they are dropping coverage for employees they know are eligible for state programs so they can increase profits, there should be serious consequences.
It is unfair … it is unethical … and we should make it illegal.
Like a lot of Wisconsin families, one of the most difficult issues my family has had to face is long term care.
I know what a toll this takes, because I've been through it with my 89 year-old mother. Given the state of her Parkinson's disease, she needs to be in a nursing home. But there are thousands of other seniors who neither want nor need to be there.
