The deficit we face today is actually a manifestation of a larger problem.... a problem that the economy is not growing as it should. Today we face economic challenges that per capita income in the Badger State is well below that of our neighbors in Minnesota and Illinois.
That is the problem because our citizens work longer hours.... and hold down more jobs.... than anywhere in the country. Our labor participation rate - that is, the percentage of our employable citizens who are in the workforce - is the highest in the country.
Our friends and family are treading water because they are willing to work more overtime.... work multiple jobs.... and have both parents in the workforce. But this cannot last, and people - the talented and the young will vote with their feet and go to other places where the incomes are better.
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Governor Thompson understood that if enough people are employed in good paying full-time jobs, the state's fiscal situation will take care of itself. And now we must work together - Republican and Democrat alike - Legislature and Governor alike - to inspire growth in this state.... to give growth a place to take hold and root.
The challenges we share.... can become the opportunity Wisconsin shares tomorrow. No one can say that this will be easy. The immediate challenges - such as the deficit will mean everything reasonable should be considered. Everything should be considered because we are not raising taxes.
We will be successful if our actions - taken deliberately and taken together as partners in creating opportunity.... set the stage for true economic growth that benefits the entire state.
This growth won't just focus on a few groups or companies or individuals.... but include all sectors of our society. This growth will move us forward as a state.... taxpayers.... local governments, the University and schools - everyone that depends on a vibrant economy.
We will only succeed if we work together.
It is my hope that we will work together, occasionally fight together, ultimately succeed together, and will in the end realize that if we pull together in this great Statehouse we will move the State of Wisconsin ahead.
Thank you for your support, patience and for working so hard to help lead Wisconsin to a better tomorrow."
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Election of Speaker Pro Tempore
Representative Ainsworth nominated Representative Freese for the position of Speaker Pro Tempore of the Assembly for the Ninety-Sixth Regular Session of the Legislature.
There being no further nominations, the speaker declared nominations closed.
Representative Foti asked unanimous consent that a unanimous ballot be cast with all members of the Assembly recorded as voting for Representative Freese for Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore. Granted.
For Representative Freese - Representatives Ainsworth, Albers, Balow, Berceau, Bies, Black, Boyle, Coggs, Colon, Cullen, J. Fitzgerald, Foti, Freese, Friske, Gielow, Gottlieb, Gronemus, Grothman, Gunderson, Gundrum, Hahn, Hebl, Hines, Huber, Huebsch, Hundertmark, Jensen, Jeskewitz, Johnsrud, Kaufert, Kerkman, Kestell, Krawczyk, Kreibich, Kreuser, Krug, Krusick, Ladwig, F. Lasee, Lassa, J. Lehman, M. Lehman, LeMahieu, Loeffelholz, Lothian, McCormick, D. Meyer, Miller, Montgomery, Morris, Musser, Nass, Nischke, Olsen, Ott, Owens, Petrowski, Pettis, Plale, Plouff, Pocan, Pope-Roberts, Powers, Rhoades, Richards, Riley, Schneider, Schooff, Seratti, Sherman, Shilling, Sinicki, Staskunas, Steinbrink, Stone, Suder, Towns, Townsend, Travis, Turner, Underheim, Van Akkeren, Van Roy, Vrakas, Vruwink, Vukmir, Ward, Wasserman, Weber, Wieckert, A. Williams, M. Williams, J. Wood, W. Wood, Young, Zepnick, Ziegelbauer and Speaker Gard - 98.
Absent or not voting - Representative Hubler - 1.
Representative Freese was elected Speaker Pro Tempore of the Assembly for the Ninety-Sixth Regular Session of the Legislature.
The oath of office was administered by Speaker Gard.
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Remarks by the
Speaker Pro Tempore
"Mr. Speaker, members of the Assembly, Ladies and Gentlemen. Let me start by saying thank you for electing me your Speaker Pro Tempore; I consider it a privilege. We are honored today to have Director General Antonio Chen from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago observing our ceremony. I would like to thank my wife Dawn for all her support in my efforts both as State Representative and Speaker Pro Tempore.
We have many challenges ahead of us as elected representatives of the people of Wisconsin. The looming budget deficit, a sluggish economy, the worst farm prices in decades just to mention a few. Perhaps the most significant challenge we face, however, is the diminished credibility of this institution and its members. The events of the last two years have raised significant questions about the integrity of this institution. The restoration of trust in its members is something we must all work on. It is a task that will require each of us to put forward our best efforts. By working together we can show Wisconsin that we are up to the challenge.
But that will mean the Assembly needs to be a civil place to work in. No more name calling, pranks and other games that do nothing but break down civility. I pledge to do my part in trying to restore this institution's reputation by being fair, but firm, as I preside over the debate held in this chamber. I challenge you to do your part too, and together we can change the course of things to come. British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher once said, "I don't know anyone who has got to the top without hard work. That is the recipe. It will not always get you to the top, but should get you pretty near". So hard work is what we will be doing and now it's time to roll up our sleeves and get started. Thank you."
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Election of Chief Clerk
Representative Vrakas nominated Patrick E. Fuller for the position of Chief Clerk of the Assembly for the Ninety-Sixth Regular Session of the Legislature.
Representative Kreuser seconded the nomination of Patrick E. Fuller for the position of Chief Clerk of the Assembly for the Ninety-Sixth Regular Session of the Legislature.
There being no further nominations, the Speaker declared nominations closed.
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Representative Foti 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 Ainsworth, Albers, Balow, Berceau, Bies, Black, Boyle, Coggs, Colon, Cullen, J. Fitzgerald, Foti, Freese, Friske, Gielow, Gottlieb, Gronemus, Grothman, Gunderson, Gundrum, Hahn, Hebl, Hines, Huber, Huebsch, Hundertmark, Jensen, Jeskewitz, Johnsrud, Kaufert, Kerkman, Kestell, Krawczyk, Kreibich, Kreuser, Krug, Krusick, Ladwig, F. Lasee, Lassa, J. Lehman, M. Lehman, LeMahieu, Loeffelholz, Lothian, McCormick, D. Meyer, Miller, Montgomery, Morris, Musser, Nass, Nischke, Olsen, Ott, Owens, Petrowski, Pettis, Plale, Plouff, Pocan, Pope-Roberts, Powers, Rhoades, Richards, Riley, Schneider, Schooff, Seratti, Sherman, Shilling, Sinicki, Staskunas, Steinbrink, Stone, Suder, Towns, Townsend, Travis, Turner, Underheim, Van Akkeren, Van Roy, Vrakas, Vruwink, Vukmir, Ward, Wasserman, Weber, Wieckert, A. Williams, M. Williams, J. Wood, W. Wood, Young, Zepnick, Ziegelbauer and Speaker Gard - 98.
Absent or not voting - Representative Hubler - 1.
Patrick E. Fuller was elected Chief Clerk of the Assembly for the Ninety-Sixth Regular Session of the Legislature.
Representatives McCormick and Turner escorted Patrick E. Fuller to the rostrum.
The oath of office was administered by Speaker Gard.
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Election of Sergeant-at-Arms
Representative Petrowski nominated Richard Skindrud for the position of Assembly Sergeant-at-Arms for the Ninety-Sixth Regular Session of the Legislature.
Representative Gronemus seconded the nomination of Richard Skindrud for the position of Assembly Sergeant-At-Arms for the Ninety-Sixth Regular Session of the Legislature.
Representative Cullen nominated Denise Solie for the position of Assembly Sergeant-At-Arms for the Ninety-Sixth Regular Session of the Legislature.
Representative Hebl seconded the nomination of Denise Solie for the position of Assembly Sergeant-At-Arms for the Ninety-Sixth Regular Session of the Legislature.
There being no further nominations, the Speaker declared nominations closed.
Representative Foti asked unanimous consent that the voting system be used for the election of a Sergeant-At-Arms and that a green vote be recorded as a vote for Richard Skindrud and a red vote be recorded as a vote for Denise Solie. Granted.
The roll was taken.
The result follows:
For Richard Skindrud - Representatives Ainsworth, Albers, Bies, Colon, J. Fitzgerald, Foti, Freese, Friske, Gielow, Gottlieb, Gronemus, Grothman, Gunderson, Gundrum, Hahn, Hines, Huebsch, Hundertmark, Jensen, Jeskewitz, Johnsrud, Kaufert, Kerkman, Kestell, Krawczyk, Kreibich, Krusick, Ladwig, F. Lasee, M. Lehman, LeMahieu, Loeffelholz, Lothian, McCormick, D. Meyer, Montgomery, Musser, Nass, Nischke, Olsen, Ott, Owens, Petrowski, Pettis, Plale, Plouff, Powers, Rhoades, Riley, Schooff, Seratti, Staskunas, Stone, Suder, Towns, Townsend, Travis, Underheim, Van Roy, Vrakas, Vukmir, Ward, Wasserman, Weber, Wieckert, M. Williams, J. Wood, Zepnick, Ziegelbauer and Speaker Gard - 70.
For Denise Solie - Representatives Balow, Berceau, Black, Boyle, Coggs, Cullen, Hebl, Huber, Kreuser, Krug, Lassa, J. Lehman, Miller, Morris, Pocan, Pope-Roberts, Richards, Schneider, Sherman, Shilling, Sinicki, Steinbrink, Turner, Van Akkeren, Vruwink, A. Williams, W. Wood and Young - 28.
Absent or not voting - Representative Hubler - 1.
Richard Skindrud was elected Assembly Sergeant-at-Arms for the Ninety-Sixth Regular Session of the Legislature.
The oath of office was administered by Speaker Gard.
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Sergeant-at-Arms' Announcement
Richard Skindrud announced that he has appointed Anne Tonnon Byers as Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms for the Ninety-Sixth Regular Session of the Legislature.
The oath of office was administered by Speaker Gard.
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Oath of Office
On Friday, January 3, 2003, Circuit Court Judge Edward Brunner from Barron County administered the oath of office to Mary Hubler of the 75th Assembly District in a ceremony held at the Barron County Courthouse.
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Communications
November 12, 2002
Mr. Patrick Fuller
Assistant Assembly Chief Clerk
Room 208, 17 West Main
Madison, Wisconsin 53702
Dear Mr. Fuller:
Pursuant to Assembly Rule
2 (2), the following officers have been duly elected by the Assembly Republican Caucus:
Majority Leader: Steven M. Foti
Assistant Majority Leader: Jean Hundertmark
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Majority Caucus Chair: Daniel Vrakas
Majority Caucus Vice-Chair: Glenn Grothman
Majority Caucus Secretary: Carol Owens
Majority Caucus Sergeant-at-Arms: Jerry Petrowski
Sincerely,
Daniel P. Vrakas
Republican Caucus Chair
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November 18, 2002
Mr. Patrick Fuller
Assistant Assembly Chief Clerk
Room 208, 17 West Main St.
Madison, Wisconsin 53702
Dear Mr. Fuller:
Pursuant to Assembly Rule
2 (2), the following officers have been duly elected by the Assembly Democratic Caucus:
Minority Leader: James Kreuser
Assistant Minority Leader: Jon Richards
Minority Caucus Chairperson: Robert Turner
Minority Caucus Vice-Chair: Gary Sherman
Minority Caucus Secretary: Amy Sue Vruwink
Minority Caucus Sergeant-at-Arms: Jennifer Shilling
Sincerely,
Robert L. Turner
Democratic Caucus Chair
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December 4, 2002
Office of the Assembly Chief Clerk
