Wisconsin is a compassionate state and we will continue to help those who are less fortunate and in need of a helping hand. But we will also reform those programs to ensure that temporary assistance is a tool to move people into the real world of work.
It’s time to ask ourselves some tough questions: How much government do we really need as we position ourselves in the global economy? How do we make every citizen as productive as possible? Do we need every state agency? Is every school, university and technical college preparing every student to succeed in this hypercompetitive world? What regulations can we eliminate? Where can we reduce the role of government and still provide necessary safety nets so the private sector can create jobs?
As we start this session, let us never forget why we are here. We are here to work together to solve problems and I promise you at the end of this legislative session, we will all look back with pride on our accomplishments.
I look forward to working with each and every one of you, Republicans and Democrats alike, to help make your big ideas a reality and make an even better Wisconsin for generations to enjoy.
God bless you and God bless the state of Wisconsin.”
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Election of Speaker Pro Tempore
Representative Nygren nominated Representative August for the position of Speaker Pro Tempore of the Assembly for the One-Hundred and Second Regular Session of the Legislature.
There being no further nominations, the speaker declared nominations closed.
Representative Steineke asked unanimous consent that a unanimous ballot be cast with all members of the assembly recorded as voting for Representative August for Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore. Granted
For Representative August – Representatives Allen, August, Ballweg, Barca, Barnes, Berceau, Bernier, Billings, Born, Bowen, Brandtjen, E. Brooks, R. Brooks, Brostoff, Considine, Craig, Czaja, Danou, Doyle, Edming, Gannon, Genrich, Goyke, Heaton, Hebl, Hesselbein, Hintz, Horlacher, Hutton, Jacque, Jagler, Jarchow, Johnson, Jorgensen, Kahl, Kapenga, Katsma, Kerkman, Kessler, Kitchens, Kleefisch, Knodl, Knudson, Kolste, Kooyenga, Kremer, Krug, Kuglitsch, Kulp, T. Larson, Loudenbeck, Macco, Mason, Meyers, Murphy, Mursau, Murtha, Nerison, Neylon, Novak, Nygren, Ohnstad, A. Ott, J. Ott, Petersen, Petryk, Pope, Quinn, Riemer, Ripp, Rodriguez, Rohrkaste, Sanfelippo, Sargent, Schraa, Shankland, Sinicki, Skowronski, Spiros, Spreitzer, Steffen, Steineke, Stuck, Subeck, Swearingen, Tauchen, C. Taylor, Thiesfeldt, Tittl, Tranel, VanderMeer, Vorpagel, Wachs, Weatherston, Young, Zamarripa, Zepnick and Speaker Vos - 98.
Noes - None.
Absent or not voting - Representative Milroy - 1.
Representative August was elected Speaker Pro Tempore of the Assembly for the One-Hundred and Second Regular Session of the Legislature.
The oath of office was administered by Speaker Vos.
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Election of Chief Clerk
Representative Schraa nominated Patrick E. Fuller for the position of Chief Clerk of the Assembly for the One-Hundred and Second Session of the Legislature.
Representative Danou seconded the nomination of Patrick E. Fuller for the position of Chief Clerk of the Assembly for the One-Hundred and Second Regular Session of the Legislature.
There being no further nominations, the Speaker declared nominations closed.
Representative Steineke asked unanimous consent that a unanimous ballot be cast with all members of the Assembly recorded as voting for Patrick E. Fuller for Assembly Chief Clerk. Granted.
For Patrick E. Fuller − Representatives Allen, August, Ballweg, Barca, Barnes, Berceau, Bernier, Billings, Born, Bowen, Brandtjen, E. Brooks, R. Brooks, Brostoff, Considine, Craig, Czaja, Danou, Doyle, Edming, Gannon, Genrich, Goyke, Heaton, Hebl, Hesselbein, Hintz, Horlacher, Hutton, Jacque, Jagler, Jarchow, Johnson, Jorgensen, Kahl, Kapenga, Katsma, Kerkman, Kessler, Kitchens, Kleefisch, Knodl, Knudson, Kolste, Kooyenga, Kremer, Krug, Kuglitsch, Kulp, T. Larson, Loudenbeck, Macco, Mason, Meyers, Murphy, Mursau, Murtha, Nerison, Neylon, Novak, Nygren, Ohnstad, A. Ott, J. Ott, Petersen, Petryk, Pope, Quinn, Riemer, Ripp, Rodriguez, Rohrkaste, Sanfelippo, Sargent, Schraa, Shankland, Sinicki, Skowronski, Spiros, Spreitzer, Steffen, Steineke, Stuck, Subeck, Swearingen, Tauchen, C. Taylor, Thiesfeldt, Tittl, Tranel, VanderMeer, Vorpagel, Wachs, Weatherston, Young, Zamarripa, Zepnick and Speaker Vos - 98.
Noes - None.
Absent or not voting - Representative Milroy - 1.
Patrick E. Fuller was elected Chief Clerk of the Assembly for the One-Hundred and Second Regular Session of the Legislature.
The oath of office was administered by Speaker Vos.
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Election of Sergeant-at-Arms
Representative Kerkman nominated Anne Tonnon Byers for the position of Sergeant-at-Arms of the Assembly for the One-Hundred and Second Regular Session of the Legislature.
Representative Hebl seconded the nomination of Anne Tonnon Byers for the position of Sergeant-At-Arms of the Assembly for the One-Hundred and Second Regular Session of the Legislature.
There being no further nominations, the Speaker declared nominations closed.
Representative Steineke asked unanimous consent that a unanimous ballot be cast with all members of the Assembly recorded as voting for Anne Tonnon Byers for Assembly Sergeant-at-Arms. Granted.
For Anne Tonnon Byers: Representatives Allen, August, Ballweg, Barca, Barnes, Berceau, Bernier, Billings, Born, Bowen, Brandtjen, E. Brooks, R. Brooks, Brostoff, Considine, Craig, Czaja, Danou, Doyle, Edming, Gannon, Genrich, Goyke, Heaton, Hebl, Hesselbein, Hintz, Horlacher, Hutton, Jacque, Jagler, Jarchow, Johnson, Jorgensen, Kahl, Kapenga, Katsma, Kerkman, Kessler, Kitchens, Kleefisch, Knodl, Knudson, Kolste, Kooyenga, Kremer, Krug, Kuglitsch, Kulp, T. Larson, Loudenbeck, Macco, Mason, Meyers, Murphy, Mursau, Murtha, Nerison, Neylon, Novak, Nygren, Ohnstad, A. Ott, J. Ott, Petersen, Petryk, Pope, Quinn, Riemer, Ripp, Rodriguez, Rohrkaste, Sanfelippo, Sargent, Schraa, Shankland, Sinicki, Skowronski, Spiros, Spreitzer, Steffen, Steineke, Stuck, Subeck, Swearingen, Tauchen, C. Taylor, Thiesfeldt, Tittl, Tranel, VanderMeer, Vorpagel, Wachs, Weatherston, Young, Zamarripa, Zepnick and Speaker Vos - 98.
Noes - None.
Absent or not voting - Representative Milroy - 1.
Anne Tonnon Byers was elected Sergeant-at-Arms of the Assembly for the One-Hundred and Second Regular Session of the Legislature.
The oath of office was administered by Speaker Vos.
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Communications
December 23, 2014
Patrick Fuller
Assembly Chief Clerk
17 West Main Street, Suite 401
Madison, WI 53703
Dear Chief Clerk Fuller:
Pursuant to Assembly Rule 2 (2), the following officers have been duly elected by the Assembly Republican Caucus: Majority Leader: Jim Steineke
Assistant Majority Leader: Dan Knodl
Majority Caucus Chair: John Murtha
Majority Caucus Vice-Chair: Lee Nerison
Majority Caucus Secretary: Jessie Rodriguez
Majority Caucus Sergeant-at-Arms: Samantha Kerkman
Sincerely,
JOHN MURTHA
Republican Caucus Chair
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December 23, 2014
Patrick Fuller
Assembly Chief Clerk
17 West Main Street, Suite 401
Madison, WI 53703
Dear Chief Clerk Fuller:
Pursuant to Assembly Rule 2 (2), the following officers have been duly elected by the Assembly Democratic Caucus: Minority Leader: Peter Barca
Assistant Minority Leader: Katrina Shankland
Minority Caucus Chair: Andy Jorgensen
Minority Caucus Vice-Chair: JoCasta Zamarripa
Minority Caucus Secretary: Beth Meyers
Minority Caucus Sergeant-at-Arms: Josh Zepnick
Sincerely,
Andy Jorgensen
Democratic Caucus Chair
_____________
December 23, 2014
Patrick Fuller
Assembly Chief Clerk
17 West Main Street, Suite 401
Madison, WI 53703
Dear Chief Clerk Fuller:
You have asked for the last day on which the Legislature may act to ensure that a proposed constitutional amendment can be placed on the ballot for the April 7, 2015 spring election. The Legislature must complete action on a proposed constitutional amendment no later than Tuesday, January 27, 2015.
By statute, all proposed constitutional amendments and any other measure or question that is to be submitted to a vote of the people shall be filed with the official or agency responsible for preparing the ballots for the election no later than 70 days before the election at which the amendment, measure or question will appear on the ballot. Wis. Stat. §8.37. Tuesday, January 27, 2015, is 70 days before the April 7, 2015 spring election. In order for the legislative action to be filed in our office, it is sufficient for the chief clerks to notify our office by e-mail no later than Tuesday, January 27, 2015 that the Legislature passed the resolution. It is not necessary that we receive the signed resolution by the close of business on Tuesday, January 27, 2015.
In order to facilitate preparation for the April 2015 spring election, I suggest sponsoring legislators contact the office of the Attorney General to make arrangements for the preparation of the explanatory statement required by Wis. Stat. §10.01 (2)(c). The explanatory statement is published in the paper by the county clerk immediately before the election. It is also posted at the polling place on Election Day. Please make the appropriate arrangements to ensure that this information is communicated to the members of the Legislature. If you or any member of the Legislature has a question, please contact me at 608-261-8683, Elections Division Administrator Michael Haas at 608-266-0136, or ask to speak to one of our Elections Specialists.
Government Accountability Board
Kevin J. Kennedy
Director and General Counsel
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Seat Assignments
Pursuant to Assembly Rule 2 (4), for the 2015-2016 Legislative Session in the Assembly Chamber, democrat members will be seated on the east (door) side of the center aisle. Republican members will be seated in the seats on the west (window) side of the center aisle and in seats numbered 85, 86, 87, 91, 92, 93, 94 and 95. Speaker Vos will occupy seat number 4. Seat number 88 will remain vacant. Member Seat No.
Allen 86
August 3
Ballweg 21
Barca 5
Barnes 60
Berceau 11
Bernier 74
Billings 68
