What makes a state exceptional is its people, not its government. Those of you taking the oath today will represent those people with your own skill set, your own experience and your own beliefs. The focus of this session must be to put people back to work and to bring fiscal prosperity back to this state. First thing is first. We must stop spending more money than we are taking in. This will be, I believe, the most difficult session anyone in this body will ever serve. But I believe it will be the most rewarding. Looking at the upcoming session reminds me of a quote I once read by Winston Churchill, "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity. An optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty". In order to get people back to work, we must stop the assault on business. We need to make Wisconsin competitive again. There is no single bill that will jump-start our economy. In fact, the single most important thing we can do as a body is to change the tone of the debate. Private investment is critical to new companies starting and existing companies expanding. Right now, that investment capital is sitting on the sidelines. Wisconsin cannot have tax policy that increases taxes on small businesses and job creators and expect them to grow and expand. Wisconsin cannot have a permitting process that empowers bureaucrats to slow or stop business expansion and expect private development to fight through a maze of red tape. We must not only compete with the states around us but also in the global market. Wisconsin needs to view its economic engine, the private sector, as an ally and not an adversary.
I do not expect us to agree on everything, however I hope there will be fresh ideas to move us forward. I am confident many of those ideas will come from our enormous class of new legislators, republicans and democrats. Nearly one third of this body is being sworn in for the first time. To the freshman class of 2011, welcome, enjoy this day with your families. Then put on your seatbelts. This is going to be a wild two year ride. But at the end of the day, I am confident you will be proud of your accomplishments.
Together all us in this room can make this 100th session not just memorable, but effective and meaningful. My door is always open. It is my goal to have us communicate on a personal level and not on a partisan one. I look forward to working with you all. Thank you and God bless us all."
Election of Speaker Pro Tempore
Representative LeMahieu nominated Representative Kramer for the position of Speaker Pro Tempore of the Assembly for the One-Hundredth Regular Session of the Legislature.
There being no further nominations, the speaker declared nominations closed.
Representative Suder asked unanimous consent that a unanimous ballot be cast with all members of the Assembly recorded as voting for Representative Kramer for Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore. Granted.
For Representative Kramer - Representatives August, Ballweg, Barca, Berceau, Bernard Schaber, Bernier, Bewley, Bies, Brooks, Clark, E. Coggs, D. Cullen, Danou, Endsley, Farrow, Fields, Gottlieb, Grigsby, Gunderson, Hebl, Hintz, Honadel, Huebsch, Hulsey, Jacque, Jorgensen, Kapenga, Kaufert, Kerkman, Kessler, Kestell, Kleefisch, Klenke, Knilans, Knodl, Knudson, Kooyenga, Kramer, Krug, Krusick, Kuglitsch, T. Larson, LeMahieu, Litjens, Loudenbeck, Marklein, Mason, Meyer, Milroy, Molepske Jr., Mursau, Murtha, Nass, Nerison, Nygren, A. Ott, J. Ott, Parisi, Pasch, Petersen, Petrowski, Petryk, Pocan, Pope-Roberts, Pridemore, Radcliffe, Richards, Ringhand, Ripp, Rivard, Roys, Seidel, Severson, Shilling, Sinicki, Spanbauer, Staskunas, Steinbrink, Steineke, Stone, Strachota, Suder, Tauchen, Thiesfeldt, Tiffany, Toles, Tranel, Turner, Van Roy, Vos, Vruwink, Weininger, Williams, Wynn, Young, Zamarripa, Zepnick, Ziegelbauer and Speaker Fitzgerald - 99.
Absent or not voting - None.
Representative Kramer was elected Speaker Pro Tempore of the Assembly for the One-Hundredth Regular Session of the Legislature.
The oath of office was administered by Speaker Fitzgerald.
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Remarks by the
Speaker Pro Tempore
"Over the years, I have heard a number of people say a few words after being elected by a body to which they belong to a leadership post. The most common word that I have heard is "humbled". I'd hear that and think, "I know you and your ego so I am just not buying it". It may be the right thing to say, but I can assure you that I have never felt so small as I do on this day, from this perspective. It is an awe inspiring gift to be a part of something so much larger than ourselves. We, as incumbents, may forget this at times, but I implore our 30 freshmen to never lose the feeling you have today, and remember how special it is to have a place in this building and this body.
I thank everyone who voted to put their faith in me to perform the duties of Speaker Pro Tem. I would also like to thank the Chief Clerk and his staff, as well as the Sergeant-at-Arms and his staff for helping me to prepare. I would also like to thank my two predecessors in this position, the Gentleman from the 60th and the Gentleman from the 15th. They have been encouraging and great resources whenever I asked for help.
The job of the presiding officer is to "ensure that the voice of the minority is heard, while maintaining the ability of the majority to set the agenda." I promise to do that to the best of my ability.
I thank each of you members in advance for helping me in maintaining the dignity and decorum that this institution deserves and that the 5.8 million citizens of Wisconsin, who hired us to represent them, expect."
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Election of Chief Clerk
Representative Meyer nominated Patrick E. Fuller for the position of Chief Clerk of the Assembly for the One-Hundredth Regular Session of the Legislature.
Representative Seidel seconded the nomination of Patrick E. Fuller for the position of Chief Clerk of the Assembly for the One-Hundredth Regular Session of the Legislature.
There being no further nominations, the Speaker declared nominations closed.
Representative Suder 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 August, Ballweg, Barca, Berceau, Bernard Schaber, Bernier, Bewley, Bies, Brooks, Clark, E. Coggs, D. Cullen, Danou, Endsley, Farrow, Fields, Gottlieb, Grigsby, Gunderson, Hebl, Hintz, Honadel, Huebsch, Hulsey, Jacque, Jorgensen, Kapenga, Kaufert, Kerkman, Kessler, Kestell, Kleefisch, Klenke, Knilans, Knodl, Knudson, Kooyenga, Kramer, Krug, Krusick, Kuglitsch, T. Larson, LeMahieu, Litjens, Loudenbeck, Marklein, Mason, Meyer, Milroy, Molepske Jr., Mursau, Murtha, Nass, Nerison, Nygren, A. Ott, J. Ott, Parisi, Pasch, Petersen, Petrowski, Petryk, Pocan, Pope-Roberts, Pridemore, Radcliffe, Richards, Ringhand, Ripp, Rivard, Roys, Seidel, Severson, Shilling, Sinicki, Spanbauer, Staskunas, Steinbrink, Steineke, Stone, Strachota, Suder, Tauchen, Thiesfeldt, Tiffany, Toles, Tranel, Turner, Van Roy, Vos, Vruwink, Weininger, Williams, Wynn, Young, Zamarripa, Zepnick, Ziegelbauer and Speaker Fitzgerald- 99.
Absent or not voting - None.
Patrick E. Fuller was elected Chief Clerk of the Assembly for the One-Hundredth Regular Session of the Legislature.
The oath of office was administered by Speaker Fitzgerald.
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Election of Sergeant-at-Arms
Representative Gottlieb nominated Anne Tonnon Byers for the position of Sergeant-at-Arms of the Assembly for the One-Hundredth Regular Session of the Legislature.
Representative Staskunas seconded the nomination of Anne Tonnon Byers for the position of Sergeant-At-Arms of the Assembly for the One-Hundredth Regular Session of the Legislature.
There being no further nominations, the Speaker declared nominations closed.
Representative Suder 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 August, Ballweg, Barca, Berceau, Bernard Schaber, Bernier, Bewley, Bies, Brooks, Clark, E. Coggs, D. Cullen, Danou, Endsley, Farrow, Fields, Gottlieb, Grigsby, Gunderson, Hebl, Hintz, Honadel, Huebsch, Hulsey, Jacque, Jorgensen, Kapenga, Kaufert, Kerkman, Kessler, Kestell, Kleefisch, Klenke, Knilans, Knodl, Knudson, Kooyenga, Kramer, Krug, Krusick, Kuglitsch, T. Larson, LeMahieu, Litjens, Loudenbeck, Marklein, Mason, Meyer, Milroy, Molepske Jr., Mursau, Murtha, Nass, Nerison, Nygren, A. Ott, J. Ott, Parisi, Pasch, Petersen, Petrowski, Petryk, Pocan, Pope-Roberts, Pridemore, Radcliffe, Richards, Ringhand, Ripp, Rivard, Roys, Seidel, Severson, Shilling, Sinicki, Spanbauer, Staskunas, Steinbrink, Steineke, Stone, Strachota, Suder, Tauchen, Thiesfeldt, Tiffany, Toles, Tranel, Turner, Van Roy, Vos, Vruwink, Weininger, Williams, Wynn, Young, Zamarripa, Zepnick, Ziegelbauer and Speaker Fitzgerald- 99.
Absent or not voting - None.
Anne Tonnon Byers was elected Sergeant-at-Arms of the Assembly for the One-Hundredth Regular Session of the Legislature.
The oath of office was administered by Speaker Fitzgerald.
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Communications
November 10, 2010
Mr. Patrick Fuller
Assembly Chief Clerk
Room 401, 17 West Main Street
Madison, Wisconsin 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: Donna Seidel
Minority Caucus Chair: Kelda Helen Roys
Minority Caucus Vice-Chair: Fred Clark
Minority Caucus Secretary: Penny Bernard Schaber
Minority Caucus Sergeant-at-Arms: Josh Zepnick
Sincerely,
Kelda Helen Roys
Democratic Caucus Chair
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November 11, 2010
Mr. Patrick Fuller
Assembly Chief Clerk
Room 401, 17 West Main Street
Madison, Wisconsin 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: Scott Suder
Assistant Majority Leader: Dan Knodl
Majority Caucus Chair: Scott Gunderson
Majority Caucus Vice-Chair: John Murtha
Majority Caucus Secretary: Mary Williams
Majority Caucus Sergeant-at-Arms: Gary Tauchen
Sincerely,
Scott Gunderson
Republican Caucus Chair
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January 3, 2011
The Honorable Patrick E. Fuller, Chief Clerk
Wisconsin State Assembly
17 West Main Street, Suite 401
Madison, WI 53703
Dear Chief Clerk Fuller:
The Government Accountability Board staff has received a number of inquiries concerning 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 5, 2011 spring election. The Legislature must complete action on a proposed constitutional amendment no later than Tuesday, February 22, 2011.
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 42 days before the election at which the amendment, measure or question will appear on the ballot. §
8.37 Wis. Stats. Tuesday, February 22, 2011 is 42 days before the April 5, 2011 spring election.
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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, February 22, 2011 the Legislature passed the resolution. It is not necessary that we receive the signed resolution by the close of business on Tuesday, February 22, 2011.
In order to facilitate preparation for the April 2011 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 §
10.01 (2)(c) Wis. Stats. 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 my Elections Division Administrator, Nat Robinson, at 608-267-0715 or ask to speak to one of our Elections Specialists.
Government Accountability Board
Kevin J. Kennedy
Executive Director
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State of Wisconsin
Office of the Secretary of State
Madison
December 7, 2010
To the Chief Clerk of the Assembly:
I, Douglas La Follette, Secretary of State of Wisconsin, do hereby certify that the following proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of Wisconsin have been approved by the regular session of the 2009-2010 legislature and duly published as required by Section 1 of
Article XII of the Constitution:
Enrolled Joint Resolution 14 (first consideration)
Enrolled Joint Resolution 27 (first consideration)
Enrolled Joint Resolution 40 (first consideration)
Sincerely,
