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Call of Roll
The roll was called, disclosing the presence of a quorum.
Pursuant to Senate Rule 15, the official attendance for session was: Senators Carpenter, Cowles, T. Cullen, Ellis, Erpenbach, Farrow, S. Fitzgerald, Grothman, Gudex, Hansen, Harris, Harsdorf, Jauch, Kedzie, C. Larson, Lasee, Lassa, Lazich, Lehman, Leibham, Miller, Moulton, Olsen, Petrowski, Risser, Schultz, Taylor, Tiffany, Vinehout, Vukmir and Wirch - 31.
Absent with leave - Senators Darling and Shilling - 2.
The Senate stood for a moment of silent meditation.
The Senate remained standing and Senator Petrowski led the Senate in the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
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Leaves of Absence
Senator Larson, with unanimous consent, asked that Senator Shilling be granted a leave of absence for today's session.
Senator Fitzgerald, with unanimous consent, asked that Senator Darling be granted a leave of absence for today's session.
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Advice and consent of the Senate
NOWAK, ELLEN Of Mequon, as a member of the Public Service Commission, to serve for the term ending March 1, 2019.
The ayes and noes were demanded and the vote was: ayes, 29; noes, 1; absent or not voting, 3; as follows:
Ayes - Senators Cowles, T. Cullen, Ellis, Erpenbach, Farrow, S. Fitzgerald, Grothman, Gudex, Hansen, Harris, Harsdorf, Kedzie, C. Larson, Lasee, Lassa, Lazich, Lehman, Leibham, Miller, Moulton, Olsen, Petrowski, Risser, Schultz, Taylor, Tiffany, Vinehout, Vukmir and Wirch - 29.
Noes - Senator Carpenter - 1.
Absent or not voting - Senators Darling, Jauch and Shilling - 3.
Confirmed.
Senator Jauch, with unanimous consent, asked to be recorded as voting Aye on the question of confirmation of Ellen Nowak.
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Leaves of Absence
Senator Larson, with unanimous consent, asked that Senator Jauch be granted a leave of absence for part of today's session.
SHIER, VICTOR Of Kewaskum, as a member of the Employee Trust Funds Board, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2013.
The ayes and noes were demanded and the vote was: ayes, 31; noes, 0; absent or not voting, 2; as follows:
Ayes - Senators Carpenter, Cowles, T. Cullen, Ellis, Erpenbach, Farrow, S. Fitzgerald, Grothman, Gudex, Hansen, Harris, Harsdorf, Jauch, Kedzie, C. Larson, Lasee, Lassa, Lazich, Lehman, Leibham, Miller, Moulton, Olsen, Petrowski, Risser, Schultz, Taylor, Tiffany, Vinehout, Vukmir and Wirch - 31.
Noes - None.
Absent or not voting - Senators Darling and Shilling - 2.
Confirmed.
WALL, EDWARD Of Windsor, as Secretary of the Department of Corrections, to serve for the term ending at the pleasure of the Governor.
The ayes and noes were demanded and the vote was: ayes, 31; noes, 0; absent or not voting, 2; as follows:
Ayes - Senators Carpenter, Cowles, T. Cullen, Ellis, Erpenbach, Farrow, S. Fitzgerald, Grothman, Gudex, Hansen, Harris, Harsdorf, Jauch, Kedzie, C. Larson, Lasee, Lassa, Lazich, Lehman, Leibham, Miller, Moulton, Olsen, Petrowski, Risser, Schultz, Taylor, Tiffany, Vinehout, Vukmir and Wirch - 31.
Noes - None.
Absent or not voting - Senators Darling and Shilling - 2.
Confirmed.
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Consideration of motions, resolutions, and joint resolutions not requiring a third reading
Senate Joint Resolution 3
Relating to: the life and public service of Orlan Prestegard.
hist1175Adopted by unanimous rising vote. hist1197Senator Cullen, with unanimous consent, asked that all the members of the Senate be added as coauthors. Senate Joint Resolution 6
Relating to: modifying the session schedule for the 2013-14 biennial session period and extending the deadline for the governor's budget message.
hist1179The question was: Adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 6? Adopted.
Senate Joint Resolution 7
Relating to: the life and public service of John C. Shabaz.
hist1182Adopted by unanimous rising vote. hist1184Senator Cowles added as a coauthor. Senator Fitzgerald, with unanimous consent, asked that all action be immediately messaged to the Assembly:
Messaged.
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Second reading and amendments of senate joint resolutions and
senate bills
Senate Bill 2
Relating to: the publication and effective dates of acts.
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In the Chair
Pursuant to Senate Rule 2 (1), Majority Caucus Chair Lasee in the chair. hist1187Senator Fitzgerald, with unanimous consent, asked that the bill be considered for final action at this time. Read a third time.
The question was: Passage of Senate Bill 2?
The ayes and noes were demanded and the vote was: ayes, 17; noes, 14; absent or not voting, 2; as follows:
Ayes - Senators Cowles, Ellis, Farrow, S. Fitzgerald, Grothman, Gudex, Harsdorf, Kedzie, Lasee, Lazich, Leibham, Moulton, Olsen, Petrowski, Schultz, Tiffany and Vukmir - 17.
Noes - Senators Carpenter, T. Cullen, Erpenbach, Hansen, Harris, Jauch, C. Larson, Lassa, Lehman, Miller, Risser, Taylor, Vinehout and Wirch - 14.
Absent or not voting - Senators Darling and Shilling - 2.
Passed.
hist1189Senator Fitzgerald, with unanimous consent, asked that all action be immediately messaged to the Assembly: Senate Bill 2
Messaged.
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Announcements, Adjournment Honors, and Remarks Under Special Privilege
Senator Risser, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of Elizabeth Jones-Queensland, a member of the Senate Chief Clerk’s office. Liz moved to Madison after graduating college in Minnesota to join her then-boyfriend, Mike Queensland, who was working in the Capitol. Liz joined the staff of the Sergeant’s office for a brief time, establishing herself as a trusted employee, loyal friend, and a worthy Scrabble opponent. In 2008, Liz started working in the Senate Chief Clerk’s office as Journal Clerk and excelled. When the former Chief Clerk resigned, Liz was tasked with taking on the responsibilities of Records Clerk, in addition to her duties as Journal Clerk. Liz has been an invaluable asset to the Wisconsin State Senate and is leaving some big shoes to fill. Though she will be missed, the Senate wishes her all the best in her future endeavors and thanks her for her dedication to the state.
Senator Lehman and Senator Jauch, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of Kennedy Defoe of the Red Cliff area, who along with 15 teenagers, posted fliers in schools and grocery stores and collected 91 boxes of clothing, diapers, and personal care items.
Senator Lehman and Senator Jauch, with unanimous consent, asked that then the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of AIDMATRIX.COM, Wisconsin Emergency Management and Indianhead Food Services of La Crosse, who delivered the items to Racine, where under the direction of Dave Voss and through the cooperation of Bethany Apartments, Family Literacy of Racine, and St. Vincent de Paul and Love, Inc., these items were distributed to needy families. Thanks to the leadership of one young person with many helpers, this statewide effort demonstrated wonderful cooperative caring.
Senator Wirch, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of Patricia Briggs, Interim Gallery Director and Curator of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and Fransico Loyola, who have brought their art exhibit here to the Capitol, the Chalk Talk Kenosha Community Art Project. Senator Wirch commends them on their efforts.
