As a small business owner and avid outdoorsman, Senator Moulton brought his expertise to the Assembly, where he served as Chair of the Small Business Committee and Vice-Chair of the Natural Resources Committee.
This session he will continue to put his knowledge from those areas to work, retaining his posts as Chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Small Business & Tourism and Vice Chair of the Committee on Health & Human Services.
Senator Moulton would like to thank his wife, Sue Kay for joining him here today.”
Senator Shilling Introduced Senator Bewley
“Senator Janet Bewley represents the 25th Senate District, the largest of the 33 Senate Districts. The 25th borders two states, includes all of Wisconsin's Lake Superior shoreline, contains watersheds of both the Great Lakes and the Mississippi, four tribal nations, state and national parks, large cities and small towns; farms, forests, and factories - sea caves and snowmobile trails.
Senator Bewley is starting her first term in the State Senate. Prior to her election to the Senate, she served two terms in the State Assembly after serving on the Ashland City Council.
Senator Bewley was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the second of four children. Her father was a truck driver, and her mom ran the house. Janet was the first member of her family to graduate from college. After a few years working in the ocean freight business, Janet went on to graduate school and earned a Master's in Academic Administration from the University of Maine in 1977. And then she moved to Ashland and found her home.
During her varied professional career Janet has served as the Dean of Students at Northland College, Executive Director of the Mary H. Rice Foundation and Senior Community Development Officer/ State Tribal Liaison at the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority.
Joining Senator Bewley today are her husband, David Saetre, her three daughters, Timothy, Eyleen and Claire, her three grandchildren, Pryor, Silas and Blythe, and many friends from Northern Wisconsin.”
Senator Shilling Introduced Senator Erpenbach
“Senator Jon Erpenbach represents the 27th Senate District which touches five counties; Columbia, Dane, Green Iowa and Sauk with a rich tapestry of diverse communities and geographical destinations. Sen. Erpenbach is entering his fifth term in the Senate.
Senator Erpenbach begins work on the Joint Committee on Finance this session and has also served his caucus as Senate Minority Leader in the 2003 session. Priorities of his Legislative work include advancing policies to improve access to affordable quality health care for all, consumer rights and protections, and high quality education and higher education.
Joining Senator Erpenbach today are his wife Christine Bellport-Erpenbach, his parents Liz and Bill Erpenbach, and his children Joe and Amy Erpenbach.”
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Petrowski
“Today, Senator Jerry Petrowski begins his first full term in the Senate; he previously served two years after winning a Special Election in 2012 to represent the 29th Senate District where he is a lifelong resident. Before he joined the Senate, he had a distinguished career in the Assembly where he served from 1999 to 2012.
A Wausau native, small business owner, and farmer, Senator Petrowski also served 6 years in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1968 to 1974.
He will continue his leadership as Chair of the Committee on Transportation & Veterans Affairs
And Vice Chair of the Committee on Economic Development & Commerce.
Joining Senator Petrowski here today are his wife, Ellen, and their family.”
Senator Shilling Introduced Senator Vinehout
“Senator Kathleen Vinehout represents the sprawling 31st Senate District which includes dairy farms nestled among the majestic bluffs of the Mississippi River, the bustle of Water Street and the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire.
A passion for establishing affordable health care for all brought this former dairy farmer to the Senate back eight years ago. Since 2006, Senator Vinehout has been a tireless advocate for making western Wisconsin the kind of place where people want to live, play, start a business and raise a family.
From her work on the Joint Legislative Audit Committee to make sure government does what it was created to do; to writing alternative budgets that made investments in what makes our communities strong such as great public schools, safe bridges and roads and a clean environment, Senator Vinehout works hard to improve the quality of life for all Wisconsin citizens.
Senator Vinehout is joined today by her husband Doug, son Nathan and other family members.”
Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Farrow
“Senator Paul Farrow first joined the legislature in 2011, when he served in the Assembly until his Special Election to the 33rd Senate District in 2012. He joins the Senate for his first full term today.
Prior to joining the legislature, Senator Farrow—a lifelong resident of Waukesha County—had a long career as a small business owner and local government representative, holding positions on the Richmond School Board and in the Town of Lisbon.
In addition to being elected Assistant Majority Leader for this session, Senator Farrow will serve as Chair of the Committee on Education Reform & Government Operations, Vice Chair of the Committee on Elections & Local Government and Vice Chair of the Committee on Revenue, Financial Institutions & Rural Issues.
Today, Senator Farrow is being joined today by his Wife, Amy. His parents, former State Senator & Wisconsin’s Lt Governor Margaret Farrow and her husband, John Farrow. Senator Farrow would also like to recognize his brother, Peter, his business partner Dave Lehman and his guest Michelle Przybyla. Senator Farrow would also like to recognize his sons, Andrew & Jarod.”
Senator Farrow Introduced Senator Fitzgerald
“Senator Scott Fitzgerald returns this year once again to head the Wisconsin State Senate as Majority Leader.
Since Senator Fitzgerald’s first election to the Legislature in 1994, he has distinguished himself through his exemplary leadership. He has been selected by his colleagues four times as Majority Leader, three times as Minority Leader, and has held numerous other leadership positions, including Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Finance and Chair of the Senate Corrections Committee.
A graduate of UW-Oshkosh, before his long tenure in the Wisconsin Legislature, Senator Fitzgerald owned and operated a local newspaper in his home of Juneau, Wisconsin, where he and his wife still reside.
A veteran of the US Army Reserves, Senator Fitzgerald served since 1981 and was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Army branch in 1985. In 2009, he retired with 27 years of service at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Senator Fitzgerald brought his background in service to the Legislature where he has been recognized as a champion of veteran’s issues.
Joining Senator Fitzgerald today are his wife Lisa, mother Bonnie, and father Steve, a lifelong public servant and current superintendent of the Wisconsin State Patrol. He would also like to recognize his three sons Scott, Brennan, and Connor.”
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Oath of Office
Upon the calling of the newly elected Senators on Monday, January 5, 2015, the following appeared before the Senate, took and subscribed the oath of office which was administered by the Honorable Annette Ziegler, Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Frank Lasee Tim Carpenter
Lean Vukmir Chris Larson
Devin LeMahieu Steve Nass
Scott Fitzgerald Janis Ringhand
Howard Marklein Roger Roth
Van Wanggaard Terry Moulton
Janet Bewley Jon Erpenbach
Jerry Petrowski Kathleen Vinehout
Paul Farrow
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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 Bewley, Carpenter, Cowles, Erpenbach, Farrow, S. Fitzgerald, Gudex, Hansen, Harris Dodd, Harsdorf, C. Larson, Lasee, Lassa, Lazich, LeMahieu, Marklein, Miller, Moulton, Nass, Olsen, Petrowski, Ringhand, Risser, Roth, Shilling, L. Taylor, Tiffany, Vinehout, Vukmir, Wanggaard and Wirch - 31.
Absent with leave - Senator Darling - 1.
Vacancies - 20th Senate District - 1.
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Leaves of Absence
Senator Fitzgerald, with unanimous consent, asked that Senator Darling be granted a leave of absence for today's session.
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hist31212Considered as privileged and taken up. Relating to: notifying the assembly and the governor that the 2015-2016 senate is organized.
By Senators S. Fitzgerald, Lazich, Farrow, Shilling and Hansen.
hist31213The question was: Adoption of Senate Resolution 1? The ayes and noes were demanded and the vote was: ayes, 31; noes, 0; absent or not voting, 1; as follows:
Ayes - Senators Bewley, Carpenter, Cowles, Erpenbach, Farrow, S. Fitzgerald, Gudex, Hansen, Harris Dodd, Harsdorf, C. Larson, Lasee, Lassa, Lazich, LeMahieu, Marklein, Miller, Moulton, Nass, Olsen, Petrowski, Ringhand, Risser, Roth, Shilling, L. Taylor, Tiffany, Vinehout, Vukmir, Wanggaard and Wirch - 31.
Noes - None.
Absent or not voting - Senator Darling - 1.
Adopted.
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Remarks of President Lazich
“The first item is thank you. Thank you to the Most Reverend Jerome Listecki, Archbishop, Archdiocese of Milwaukee for offering the opening prayer for this 102nd session. Thank you New Berlin Eisenhower School Strings Ensemble for performing the National Anthem and providing music during our reception earlier. Thank you to VFW Post 7591, Madison, for presenting the colors. Thank you to Chief Clerk Renk and the crew here in front of me that makes all of our work during session possible, all of our work do to the people’s business, our guests today.
Next, I want to make mention of the important people in my life, my family. My husband, Glenn, assisting his 94 year old father, Emil Lazich; a World War II veteran, a very important person in our life. My son Glenn and his wife Dana, and Autumn, Grayson, and Macie, their children, here today. My daughter Bernadine with her husband, John, here today. My daughter Rhonda, hopefully watching on Wisconsin Eye, because she is with her four daughters Kaytlyn, Mady, Ashley, Caroline, and her husband, Steve, stationed with the United States Navy. Family play important roles and make tremendous contributions to our success. I also mention guests here today, Howard and Georgene Fletcher, and Dave and Rick Meister. Thank you for joining us.
Next, and importantly, I am tremendously honored by the faith and trust placed in me by my colleagues to preside over this body. Within the Senate, the expectation is debate will be robust and orderly. My job as President is to ensure everyone is heard and the agenda is completed. I will do my best to be fair and uphold the dignity of this body.
I spoke with our dear friend Senator Alberta Darling this morning. She sends her very best wishes to everyone here today and misses us all tremendously. Please keep Bill, her husband, and Alberta and their family in your thoughts and prayers.
For the first 131 years of its history, the Wisconsin State Senate relied on the Lieutenant Governor and President Pro Tempore to preside over our debate. In the 36 years since the office of President of the Senate was created, there have been four other senators that served in the capacity. Senator Brian Rude, was our first Senate President, Senator Alan Lasee, Senator Mike Ellis, and sitting with us today Senator Fred Risser all served as Senate Presidents bringing dignity and honor to this body. As the first woman to hold this office, I plan to follow in their footsteps and their examples by leading the Senate in fair, open debates. And I look forward to all of your support to make that happen.
Two years from now, my hope is we all look back on this session and remember the policy, and importantly the civility that we brought to the debate. Thank you again for entrusting me to serve as your President of the State Senate. Thank you.”
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Senate Officers Oath of Office
The President, Mary Lazich, the President Pro Tempore, Richard Gudex, the Chief Clerk, Jeffery Renk, and the Sergeant at Arms, Edward A. Blazel, having been duly elected by the adoption of Senate Resolution 1, appeared together before the bar of the Senate, took and subscribed the oath of office which was administered by the Honorable Annette Ziegler, Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
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President Lazich introduced the Senators returning from the 101st Session: Senators Cowles, Taylor, Harris Dodd, Darling, Harsdorf, Tiffany, Olsen, Miller, Gudex, Wirch, Lassa, Risser, Lazich, Hansen, and Shilling.
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With unanimous consent, Senator Fitzgerald addressed the members from the rostrum.
Remarks of Majority Leader Fitzgerald
“As we begin the important duty of conducting the work of the people of Wisconsin, I would like to welcome and congratulate the 17 Senators whose oaths were renewed or taken for the first time today. Your constituents have entrusted you with the great privilege and responsibility of representing their interests here in Wisconsin’s statehouse, and I look forward to working with each and every member of this body, new and returning.
Over the most recent legislative sessions, we have conducted the difficult work of repairing our state. We balanced the budget, eliminated the deficit, and created a surplus. We shored up Wisconsin’s Rainy Day fund to the largest balance in state history, reduced unemployment to the lowest level in six years, and put over $2 billion back into the pockets of Wisconsin’s taxpayers. We have worked to ensure that Wisconsin is moving forward—continually becoming a better place for workers, taxpayers, and businesses.
I am proud of all that we have been able to accomplish, but more than that, I am proud that we have achieved all of this with a spirit of bipartisanship and cooperation. Last session, 97 percent of the bills that passed through these chambers and were signed into law in Wisconsin garnered support from both sides of the aisle. I call on all of my colleagues gathered here today to enter into the 102nd legislative session with that renewed spirit.
In this new session, we must build upon all of the achievements of the last. While Wisconsin’s voters are confident that our responsible stewardship has put Wisconsin on the right track, this session we must renew our commitment to improving our business climate, developing our workforce, and creating jobs.
