January 2014 Special Session
12:17 P.M. THURSDAY, January 23, 2014
The Senate met.
The Senate was called to order by Senator Fitzgerald.
Pursuant to Senate Rule 17 (6), the Chief Clerk makes the following entries under the above date. _____________
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
EXECUTIVE ORDER #129
Relating to a Special Session of the Legislature
WHEREAS, the State of Wisconsin is on a path of significant and continuous economic growth; and
WHEREAS, the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau has announced that the State of Wisconsin's general fund revenue is projected to be $911 million higher than previously anticipated; and
WHEREAS, the tough, but prudent reforms over the last three years have set the groundwork for my administration to deliver on our promise to return more money to the hands of the hardworking taxpayers of the state; and
WHEREAS, the days of billion-dollar deficits and double digit tax increases are over, thanks to strong leadership and prudent fiscal management in state government; and
WHEREAS, these fiscal facts afford an opportunity to provide much-needed property and income tax relief to Wisconsin families, farmers, seniors, and small businesses; and
WHEREAS, in addition to cutting taxes, investing in worker training is a critical component of ensuring continued economic growth; and
WHEREAS, equipping our workers with the skills they need to find jobs in the workforce continues to be a top priority in moving Wisconsin forward; and
WHEREAS, the 2013-15 Biennial Budget included significant funding for worker training programs aimed at closing the skills gap, creating jobs, and growing our economy; and
WHEREAS, targeted investments in assisting people with disabilities in Wisconsin to find jobs helps one of the most vulnerable populations achieve independence while
benefitting Wisconsin's economy as a whole; and
WHEREAS, reducing waiting lists at technical colleges in high-demand fields allows for greater access to valuable training and education programs around the state; and
WHEREAS, the expansion of dual-enrollment programs equips high school pupils with industry-recognized certifications in high-demand fields, placing skilled workers into the Wisconsin workforce faster;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Scott Walker, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, pursuant to Article IV, Section 11, and Article V, Section 4 of the Wisconsin Constitution, do hereby require the convening of a special session of the Legislature at the Capitol in Madison, to commence at 11 a.m. on January 23, 2014, solely to consider and act upon legislation relating to the following:
1. LRB-4039 and 4066; and
2. LRB-3988 and 4068.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Wisconsin to be affixed. Done at the Capitol in the City of Madison this twenty-third day of January, in the year two thousand fourteen.
SCOTT WALKER
Governor
By the Governor:
DOUGLAS LA FOLLETTE
Secretary of State
_____________
Adjournment
Senator Fitzgerald, with unanimous consent, asked that the January 2014 Special Session of the Senate stand adjourned until Tuesday, January 28, 2014.
Adjourned.
12:18 P.M.
