“Joining the State Senate this year, Kristin Dassler-Alfheim represents Senate District 18, which encompasses the cities of Oshkosh, Neenah, Menasha, and Appleton. The district is home to two traditional four year universities, UW-Oshkosh and Lawrence University, and a two-year tech school, Fox Valley Technical College.
Prior to serving as a State Senator, Dassler-Alfheim spent her career as an agency manager and retirement planner, working to help middle-class families navigate the complexities of retirement. For many years she was active as an advocate for both the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and the Alzheimer’s Association, where she helped to build bipartisan coalitions in the statehouse.
In 2020, Dassler-Alfheim realized the importance of local government and chose to run for her local alderperson seat, winning and serving on the Appleton City Council. While in office, she worked to ensure that local government was responsive to the needs of its citizens, and helped to pass city ordinances that provided funds for a new library and ensured that the city’s tax dollars were spent efficiently.
Dassler-Alfheim is proud to represent her 98 year old grandmother and beloved family who joins her in chambers today, and she feels privileged to be serving as a State Senator for her community. She is excited to bring her skills in coalition-building to work in the Capitol to pass pragmatic, bipartisan legislation that uplifts the people of Wisconsin.”
Senator LeMahieu Introduced Senator Feyen
“Dan Feyen is the Assistant Majority Leader of the Wisconsin State Senate, serving since 2019. First elected in 2016, he represents the 20th Senate District, which includes parts of Dodge, Fond du Lac, Ozaukee, Sheboygan and Washington Counties. He chairs the Senate committee on Government Operations, Labor and Economic Development and serves on several other committees. In addition to his legislative work, Senator Feyen serves on the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the Southeast Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District.
Born and raised in New Holstein, Wisconsin, he earned a degree in printing from Fox Valley Technical College. He resides in Fond du Lac with his wife, Lori, and their two children, a daughter who is a teacher and a son who is an auditor. Both are proud UW-Madison graduates.”
Senator Hesselbein Introduced Senator Wirch
“Robert W. Wirch was born in Kenosha in 1943 and never left, dedicating his life to the people of his community and the great state of Wisconsin. He attended Mary D. Bradford High School in Kenosha, and entered the workforce after graduation. While working at the American Brass Company, Senator Wirch attended night classes at the University of Wisconsin – Parkside in order to obtain his bachelor’s degree, which he did in 1970. On top of his job and studies, Wirch served his nation as a member of the United States Army Reserves form 1965-1971.
Senator Wirch’s political career began with his work at American Brass, where he was a member of the United Steelworkers union, serving in multiple leadership positions in his local including as vice president. He served eight years on the Kenosha County Board of Supervisors, and in 1992 was elected to his first term as a Representative in the State Assembly. After two terms in the Assembly, he was elected to the State Senate in 1996 and has held the seat ever since.”
Senator LeMahieu Introduced Senator Testin
“Patrick Testin grew up in Marinette, Wisconsin and graduated from Marinette High School in 2006. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from UW-Stevens Point in 2011, where he was active in student government.
Elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2016, Patrick has served in leadership roles including President Pro Tempore and Majority Caucus Vice Chair. Patrick is an active member of his community, contributing his time and leadership to organizations like the Stevens Point Elk Lodge 641, the Ignite Leadership Network of Portage County, and the Wisconsin Wing of the Civil Air Patrol Legislative Squadron.”
Senator Hesselbein Introduced Senator Roys
“Senator Kelda Helen Roys is an attorney, entrepreneur, small business owner, and former nonprofit executive. She represents Wisconsin’s 26th Senate District, which includes most of Madison and several surrounding communities.
Sen. Roys is entering her second term in the State Senate, where she will continue to fight for reproductive freedom, economic opportunity, and great public education for every child in Wisconsin.
Sen. Roys received her BA in Drama, Politics, and Cultural Studies magna cum laude from New York University and her JD magna cum laude from the University of Wisconsin Law School, where she worked on the Innocence Project. After spending four years as executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin, she was elected twice to the State Assembly and served as Democratic Caucus Chair. In 2013, she founded OpenHomes, a real estate brokerage serving customers throughout southern Wisconsin, which she continues to run. Sen. Roys is a member of the Joint Committee on Finance, Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules, and Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety. Kelda has earned many legislative awards and fellowships and has been an active community leader for decades, serving on many boards.
Kelda and her spouse, Dan, live in Madison with their children. Kelda thanks her family for all their support and love, and for being here today, especially Arcadia and Avalon.”
Senator LeMahieu Introduced Senator Bradley
“Julian Bradley knows the American dream is alive and well because he’s lived it. Born into poverty, Julian learned the values of honesty, diligence and perseverance from his mother, who raised him and his two siblings by herself.
Julian’s journey has taken him down many unique paths and all over the country. He first distinguished himself as a professional wrestler, leading to his eventual induction into the WXW Wrestling Hall of Fame. He successfully climbed the ladder in business, managing successful sales and operations teams in both the telecommunications and insurance industries.
In 2020, Julian made history becoming the first black republican elected to serve in the Wisconsin State Senate. He came in with a mission to put his conservative principals to work in order to solve problems and get results for his constituents. He’s done just that. He’s earned a reputation as a taxpayer champion, a public safety advocate, and a leader for literacy. He’s also had a hand in authoring two successful constitutional amendments to help improve our justice system and election security. In his second term, he’s looking forward to being a member of the Joint Finance Committee and crafting a budget that strengthens Wisconsin.
A resident of New Berlin, Julian is an avid sports fan, namely football and baseball and enjoys giving back to his community. When he’s not attending various games or events with his family and friends, Julian spends his free time volunteering with a particular focus on helping young people with career readiness and literacy.”
Senator Hesselbein Introduced Senator Wall
“Jamie Wall is the new senator from the 30th District in the heart of Brown County, including Ashwaubenon, Allouez, Bellevue, and De Pere, almost all of Green Bay, and portions of the Towns of Ledgeview and Rockland. The district is home to Lambeau Field, Bay Beach, the National Railroad Museum, and Heritage Hill State Historical Park. US News recently named the Green Bay metro as the single best place to live in America.
Senator Wall was born in Green Bay and raised on his family’s small dairy farm in southern Brown County. A first-generation college student, Jamie earned degrees from UW – Madison and Oxford and worked on both coasts before coming home to Green Bay, where he has lived most of his adult life. He started and ran his own small business advising companies in Wisconsin and throughout the country on how to find and implement solutions to difficult problems. He also spent a couple of years running Wisconsin’s economic development programs, working with large and small businesses across the state to create jobs.
Jamie is active in his community, serving as vice president of the Green Bay Water Commission and as treasurer of his local neighborhood association. He is a former board member of the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation and the Clean Wisconsin Action Fund. He and his cat Gertrude live in the Astor East River neighborhood of Green Bay.”
Senator Hesselbein Introduced Senator Pfaff
“Senator Brad Pfaff serves the people of the 32nd Senate District, which includes all of La Crosse and Vernon Counties, along with parts of Monroe and Trempealeau Counties. He is beginning his second term in the Wisconsin State Senate representing the Driftless Region.
Senator Pfaff is a proud son of the rolling hills, coulees, and valleys of northern La Crosse County where his family has lived since they first came this country in the mid-1800s. 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 as the Secretary-designee of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Previously, Senator Pfaff 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 children.”
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Oath of Office
Upon the calling of the newly elected Senators on Monday, January 6, 2025 the following appeared before the Senate, took and subscribed the oath of office in the Senate Chamber, which was administered by the Honorable Maria S. Lazar, Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge, District 2:
Eric Wimberger Dora Drake
LaTonya Johnson Jodi Habush Sinykin
Rob Stafsholt Mary Felzkowski
Sarah Keyeski Melissa Ratcliff
Kristin Dassler-Alfheim Dan Feyen
Robert W. Wirch Patrick Testin
Kelda Helen Roys Julian Bradley
Jamie Wall Brad Pfaff
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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 Bradley, Cabral-Guevara, Carpenter, Dassler-Alfheim, Drake, Felzkowski, Feyen, Habush Sinykin, Hesselbein, Hutton, Jacque, Jagler, James, L. Johnson, Kapenga, Keyeski, Larson, LeMahieu, Marklein, Nass, Pfaff, Quinn, Ratcliff, Roys, Smith, Spreitzer, Stafsholt, Testin, Tomczyk, Wall, Wanggaard, Wimberger and Wirch - 33.
Absent with leave - None - 0.
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Introduction, First Reading, and Reference of Proposals
Read first time and referred:
Relating to: requiring photographic identification to vote in any election (second consideration).
By Senators Wanggaard, Bradley, Cabral-Guevara, Felzkowski, Feyen, Hutton, Jacque, Jagler, James, Kapenga, Marklein, Nass, Quinn, Stafsholt, Testin, Tomczyk, Wimberger and LeMahieu; cosponsored by Representatives Snyder, Donovan, Allen, Armstrong, August, Behnke, Born, Brooks, Callahan, Dallman, Dittrich, Duchow, Goeben, Green, Gundrum, Gustafson, Hurd, B. Jacobson, Kitchens, Knodl, Kreibich, Krug, Maxey, Melotik, Moses, Murphy, Mursau, Nedweski, Neylon, Novak, O'Connor, Penterman, Petersen, Piwowarczyk, Sortwell, Spiros, Steffen, Summerfield, Swearingen, Tittl, Tucker, Tusler, Vos, Wichgers, Wittke, Zimmerman, Kaufert, Rodriguez and Kurtz.
hist198415To the committee on Judiciary and Public Safety. _____________
Consideration of resolutions and joint resolutions not requiring a third reading
Relating to: notifying the assembly and the governor that the 2025-2026 senate is organized.
hist198403The question was: Adoption of Senate Resolution 1? The ayes and noes were required and the vote was: ayes, 21; noes, 12; absent or not voting, 0; as follows:
Ayes - Senators Bradley, Cabral-Guevara, Felzkowski, Feyen, Habush Sinykin, Hutton, Jacque, Jagler, James, Kapenga, LeMahieu, Marklein, Nass, Quinn, Ratcliff, Stafsholt, Testin, Tomczyk, Wall, Wanggaard and Wimberger - 21.
Noes - Senators Carpenter, Dassler-Alfheim, Drake, Hesselbein, L. Johnson, Keyeski, Larson, Pfaff, Roys, Smith, Spreitzer and Wirch - 12.
Absent or not voting - None - 0.
Adopted.
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Senate Officers Oath of Office
The President, Mary Felzkowski, the President Pro Tempore, Patrick Testin, and the Sergeant at Arms, Tom Engels, 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 Maria S. Lazar, Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge, District 2.
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In the Chair
Senate President Felzkowski in the chair.
3:02 P.M.
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Remarks of President Felzkowski
_Hlk186533262“First, I would like to thank all the people who made today happen: our Senate Sergeant and his staff, Mr. Rick Champaign for again stepping into the role of Chief Clerk, Pastor Emily Lueder from Winneconne, the New London High School Chamber Ensemble, VFW 7591 Color Guard, and all of the families, without whom none of us would be here today. The gravity of this role does not escape me, nor does the short list of those who have come before me in it. As only the second woman to take the gavel, I would be remiss if I did not single out and thank Sen. Mary Lazich for her dedication and strength to blaze the trail and become the first woman to do so. Today also marks the first time a Senator who resides, and whose district is entirely, north of Highway 29 takes the gavel as Senate President. I was born and raised in Tomahawk, and will bring common-sense, Northwoods values to this body.
I will emphasize, as Sen. Lazich did, the importance of fair, honest, and open debates on this floor. In this time of sensationalized politics and 30 second Twitter clips, true debate on the Senate floor is needed more than ever. From this chair, I will ensure the right of the minority to be heard as they argue their case, while at the same time ensure that the will of the majority reigns. I will expect and encourage robust debate, but will require the dignity and respect for the rules that our constituents expect of us. To have a government of, by, and for the people, we must respect this body. As President, I will demand this respect and adherence to its rules.
Among our many roles as Senators, I believe that being good stewards of taxpayer dollars is chief. As Mr. Thomas Jefferson said, “I… place economy among the first and most important republican virtues, and public debt as the greatest of the dangers to be feared.” As we begin the policy debates of this session, we must remember that regardless of party, we are all here on behalf of the people of Wisconsin. They have put us in this body with the expectation of leading them, protecting our State, and ensuring that Wisconsin stays true to our values of hard work and level-headedness. This is an incredible responsibility, and a burden that I know does not fall lightly on the shoulders of every person in this body.
Again, I want to thank my colleagues for entrusting me with this Chair, my husband and children for their support, all of our fantastic Legislative staff, and the people of Wisconsin for the honor that they have given each and every one of us.”
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President Felzkowski introduced the Senators returning from the 106th Session: Senators Jacque, Carpenter, Hutton, Larson, LeMahieu, Nass, Jagler, Spreitzer, Marklein, Cabral-Guevara, Wanggaard, James, Quinn, Hesselbein, Tomczyk, Smith and Kapenga.
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With unanimous consent, Senator LeMahieu addressed the members from the rostrum.
Remarks of Majority Leader LeMahieu
“Thank you, Mrs. President. So two years ago, I stood in this chamber and talked about the opportunity ahead of this body. I’m proud to stand here today and say that we seized it. In this chamber, we deliberate and delivered legislation that overhauled the funding of local government to make it more equitable and inflation proof. We provided K-12 schools with the largest increase in spendable resources ever, and approved the largest expansion of the school choice program since its inception. We made sure that Wisconsin remained a major league state by keeping the Milwaukee Brewers until 2050. The legislature also passed a series of tax cuts that would have benefited our economy, had not Governor Evers vetoed them. Today more opportunity awaits us. Wisconsin is approaching a crossroads. In one direction, we can create prosperity and in the other direction, we can create hardship. More than 4 billion dollars of taxpayer money is sitting in a bank account here in Madison while rising prices impact the families who sent us here to serve them. Governor Evers has made his position clear. He wants to use that money to grow the size of government and send Wisconsin backwards. In 2010, the state was facing a multibillion-dollar deficit. Schools, local governments, and the state itself were broke. It took remarkable discipline and important reform to pull Wisconsin off its path of financial ruin and put us on the path we are still on today. In this chamber, we will do everything in our power to keep Wisconsin moving on that path forward. Our top priority is returning the surplus to the taxpayers, strengthening our economy, and passing a responsible balanced budget. Outside forces will try to knock us off that path and push us toward failed liberal policies, higher taxes, bloated government, and multibillion-dollar deficits. They will fail. We will move forward by remembering where we have been. Prosperity is a policy decision. It doesn’t happen by accident, and in this chamber, we will choose prosperity for Wisconsin families through limited government and lower taxes. May god continue to bless Wisconsin and our great nation. Thank you.”
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