“Rob Stafsholt was born in St. Croix County, Wisconsin and graduated from New Richmond Schools. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Rob currently lives in New Richmond and is small business owner of a garbage disposal company and residential and real estate investment company. Rob is also a farmer and is former co-owner of a salad and food dressing manufacturing and sales company and is a former loan originator.
Rob remains active in his community serving on the New Richmond Chamber of Commerce and as assistant coach for the New Richmond-Somerset High School Trap Team.
Rob is a Farm Bureau Member, life member of the National Rifle Association, the Sportsmen’s Alliance and former member of the Wisconsin Bears Hunters’ Association board of directors. Rob was first elected to the state assembly in 2016 and will begin serving his first term in the Wisconsin State Senate.”
Senator LeMahieu Introduced Senator Felzkowski
“Mary was born in Tomahawk, Wisconsin and is married with 5 children and 4 grandchildren. Mary is a graduate of Tomahawk High School and has her B.S. in Finance and Economics from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Mary currently lives in Tomahawk, Wisconsin and is the owner of an Insurance agency. Mary is an active member of her community serving on numerous boards including: Tomahawk Main Street, Inc., Tomahawk Regional Chamber of Commerce, Tomahawk Child Care, and National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research, lifetime member of the NRA, and the Professional Insurance Agents of Wisconsin.
Mary was first elected to Assembly in 2012 and has held Leadership positions including: Assistant Majority Leader 2019. Mary has previously served on the Joint Committee on Finance and has been appointed to serve on JFC in the Senate. Mary will be serving her first term in the State Senate this session.”
Senator LeMahieu Introduced Senator Ballweg
“Joan was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, graduating from Nathan Hale High School in West Allis and attended University of Wisconsin-Waukesha and received her B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Joan is married with adult children and has 3 grandchildren.
She is the co-owner of farm equipment business and former first grade teacher.
Joan is active in the state and her community serving on the Council of State Governments, Midwest Legislative Conference, Markesan Chamber of Commerce, Waupun Chamber of Commerce, Green Lake County Farm Bureau, Waupun Memorial Hospital, Agnesian HealthCare Enterprises LLC management committee. She also volunteers at the Markesan District Schools, Markesan PTA and the Markesan AFS Chapter Joan also served on the Markesan City Council from 1987–91 and was the mayor of Markesan from 1991–97.
Joan was elected to Assembly in 2004 and held the leadership position of Majority Caucus Chair. Joan will be serving her first term in the State Senate and has been appointed to the Joint Committee on Finance.”
Senator Bewley Introduced Senator Agard
“Senator Melissa Agard was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin, and is a proud graduate of East High School and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
A lifelong Madison resident, Senator Agard is a proud mom to four sons and lives on the city’s Northside. She is a former small business owner and Dane County Board Supervisor.
Senator Agard was first elected in November 2012, and is currently serving in her fifth term in the Wisconsin State Legislature. She represents the 16th Senate District, which encompasses much of the east and south side of Dane County.
Senator Agard is a strong progressive voice in the Wisconsin State Legislature. During her tenure, Senator Agard has fought for legislation raising Wisconsin’s minimum wage, providing equitable access to menstrual hygiene products, legalizing marijuana, empowering survivors of sexual assault, protecting privacy rights, among many other important issues.
She has also worked in a bipartisan manner to get many pieces of pragmatic legislation passed during her time in the legislature.”
Senator Bewley Introduced Senator Roys
“Senator Kelda Helen Roys is a small business owner, attorney, and former nonprofit executive. She represents Wisconsin’s 26th Senate District, covering most of Madison and Shorewood Hills, including the State Capitol and University of Wisconsin.
Senator Roys is a proud alumna of NYU and the University of Wisconsin Law School. Sen. Roys served for four years as executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin, working on issues like gender equality, health care access, and ending racial disparities, that she continues to champion in the Senate.
Sen. Roys served two terms in the State Assembly, winning her seat in 2008 by knocking on 20,252 doors and becoming the youngest then-serving state legislator. As Assembly Democratic Caucus Chair, Kelda was a visible figure during the Act 10 protests. In 2018, she ran an historic campaign for governor of Wisconsin.
For the last eight years, Kelda has run OpenHomes, the real estate startup she founded. She is also an active community leader who has served on many boards, and volunteered for her daughters’ school and preschool and taught Sunday school at her church.
Kelda is joined virtually today by her husband and partner of 13 years, Dan, their two young daughters, Arcadia and Avalon, her older stepdaughters Erin and Emily, and Kelda’s parents and sisters.”
Senator LeMahieu Introduced Senator Bradley
“In November 2020, Julian Bradley was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate to represent the 28th District, which includes parts of Milwaukee, Racine, Walworth, and Waukesha counties.
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, and raised in Wisconsin, Julian graduated from Central High School in La Crosse. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse with a degree in political science and economics. Julian worked as a telecommunications manager for Century Link from 2002 to 2019 and worked as an operations manager for Northwestern Mutual from 2019 to 2020. He currently resides in Franklin, Wisconsin.
In his first term, Senator Bradley will be utilizing his private sector experience by serving as chairman of the Senate Committee on Utilities, Technology, and Telecommunications and as a member of the Joint Committee on the Review of Administrative Rules.
An avid sports fan, and former pro-wrestler, Julian has been a long-time grassroots activist in the Republican Party, having been elected as a county chairman and to the Republican Party of Wisconsin executive committee. Julian likes to give back to the community by volunteering in his free time, especially focusing on career readiness and youth literacy.”
Senator LeMahieu Introduced Senator Wimberger
“Eric Wimberger was born and raised in DePere. He attended St. Cloud State University where he served as student body president, majoring in Criminal Justice and minoring in Political Science. Eric drove semi-trucks long haul before enrolling at Marquette University Law School.
Following graduation from Marquette, Eric commissioned in the United States Marine Corps. As a Judge Advocate he was stationed in Japan and Washington D.C., honorably discharged as a Captain.
Eric returned home to Green Bay in 2010 where he continued service to the community. He started his law practice and was recognized as a “Super Lawyer Rising Star.” He remains dedicated to making a positive difference in the community, including as a board member with the philanthropic Cloud Family Foundation. You can also find him often helping his mom make great family memories at her small business, Sweet Memories Candy Shoppe, in Lakewood.”
Senator Bewley Introduced Senator Pfaff
“Senator Brad Pfaff is a proud son of the rolling hills, coulees, and valleys of northern La Crosse County. He learned the value of hard work, resilience, appreciation for the land, and respect for his community while growing up on his family’s dairy farm.
Brad has spent the majority of his career working for the people of Wisconsin. He served in senior positions with the US Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency in the Obama Administration, and most recently as the Secretary-designee of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Previously, Brad held positions in the Offices of US Representative Ron Kind and US Senator Herb Kohl.
Brad met his wife, Betty, a West Salem native, while he was a senior in high school at a 4-H leadership luncheon. They are the proud parents of two college-aged children.”
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Oath of Office
On Tuesday, December 22, 2020, Robert Wirch took and subscribed the oath of office in the County of Kenosha, which was administered by the Honorable Mary K. Wagner, Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge.
On Monday, December 28, 2020, Melissa Agard took and subscribed the oath of office in the Senate Chamber, which was administered by the Honorable Jill Karofsky, Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
On Monday, January 4, 2021, Robert Cowles took and subscribed the oath of office in the County of Brown, which was administered by Senate President Roger Roth.
On Monday, January 4, 2021, Julian Bradley, Patrick Testin, Brad Pfaff, Eric Wimberger, Mary Felzkowski, and Joan Ballweg took and subscribed the oath of office in the Senate Chamber, which was administered by the Honorable Patience Drake Roggensack, Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
On Monday, January 4, 2021, Dan Feyen, Duey Stroebel, Alberta Darling, and Rob Stafsholt took and subscribed the oath of office in the Senate Chamber, which was administered by the Honorable Rebecca Bradley, Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
On Monday, January 4, 2021, Lena C. Taylor, Kelda Roys, and LaTonya Johnson took and subscribed the oath of office in the County of Dane, which was administered by the Honorable Chris Taylor, Dane County Circuit Court Judge.
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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 Agard, Ballweg, Bernier, Bewley, Bradley, Carpenter, Darling, Erpenbach, Felzkowski, Feyen, Jacque, Johnson, Kapenga, Kooyenga, Larson, LeMahieu, Marklein, Nass, Petrowski, Pfaff, Ringhand, Roth, Roys, Smith, Stafsholt, Stroebel, L. Taylor, Testin, Wanggaard, Wimberger and Wirch - 31.
Absent with leave - Senator Cowles - 1.
Vacancies - 13th Senate District - 1.
Senator LeMahieu, with unanimous consent, asked that all members of the Senate who are attending today’s session virtually be considered present and able to vote on today’s business.
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Leaves of Absence
Senator LeMahieu, with unanimous consent, asked that Senator Cowles be granted a leave of absence for today's session.
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Chief Clerk's Entries
Amendments Offered
hist125658Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Joint Resolution 2 offered by Senators Carpenter and L. Taylor. _____________
Petitions and Communications
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Senate Majority Leader
January 1, 2021
The Honorable, the Senate:
I am resigning my position as Wisconsin State Senator effective immediately, as is required by the policy of the United States Congress.
It has been an honor to serve in this incredible institution, and I wish the incoming class of senators best of luck in the coming years.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
SCOTT FITZGERALD
Majority Leader
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Messages from the Assembly
By Kay Inabnet, assistant chief clerk.
Mr. President:
I am directed to inform you that the Assembly has
Adopted and asks concurrence in:
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Consideration of resolutions and joint resolutions not requiring a third reading
Senate Resolution 1
Relating to: notifying the assembly and the governor that the 2021-2022 senate is organized.
hist125649The question was: Adoption of Senate Resolution 1? The ayes and noes were required and the vote was: ayes, 31; noes, 0; absent or not voting, 1; as follows:
Ayes - Senators Agard, Ballweg, Bernier, Bewley, Bradley, Carpenter, Darling, Erpenbach, Felzkowski, Feyen, Jacque, Johnson, Kapenga, Kooyenga, Larson, LeMahieu, Marklein, Nass, Petrowski, Pfaff, Ringhand, Roth, Roys, Smith, Stafsholt, Stroebel, L. Taylor, Testin, Wanggaard, Wimberger and Wirch - 31.
Noes – None - 0.
Absent or not voting - Senator Cowles - 1.
