If Wisconsin’s going to be a pro-jobs state, it must be pro-education. Statistics show there is a direct correlation between education and one’s ability to obtain a family supporting job. The 2011-2012 budget cut over $1 billion from K-12 and higher education--the largest cut to education in Wisconsin’s history. As a result, Wisconsin has ranked in the top five for cutting education spending per pupil while ranking 23rd on unemployment. On the other hand, states such as North Dakota, Wyoming, and Vermont that chose to increase investments in education have fared much better with unemployment, as they are all ranked in the top 10.
We have another challenge this session. With real bipartisanship we can rip away the curtain of secrecy and let the light of accountability and transparency shine on our state programs.
We recently saw what can happen when accountability and transparency are sacrificed by state agencies, like the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. Tasked with creating much needed jobs, this hastily-created agency was handed $85 million in taxpayer dollars, but never given a rule book. As a result, we saw WEDC circumvent our fair and competitive bidding process, ignore federal and state laws when giving out grants, and lose track of $50 million in loans, including about $12 million overdue.
With Wisconsin still struggling economically, it is unacceptable to allow our job creation corporation to continue to play fast and loose with our tax dollars. Wisconsin citizens will not allow us to double down after finding out that the deck is stacked against them.
Wisconsin voters spoke with one voice this fall. They voted for more jobs. They voted for a strong education system. They voted for more transparency. But most importantly, they voted for bipartisanship over the continuation of extremism. Neither political party has a monopoly on good, common sense ideas. My colleagues and I encourage members of the Legislature to heed the calls of those we represent and work together as Wisconsinites. We look forward to tackling these difficult but important issues with our Republican colleagues, as well as the governor, to move Wisconsin forward again.”
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Report of Committees
The joint committee on Legislative Organization reports and recommends:
Senate Joint Resolution 1
Relating to: the session schedule for the 2031−2014 biennial session period.
Introduction.
Ayes: 10 − Senators Ellis, S. Fitzgerald, Grothman, Larson and Hansen. Representatives Vos, Suder, Steineke, Barca and Pasch.
Noes: 0 − None.
MICHAEL ELLIS
Senate Chairperson
hist639Considered as priveleged and taken up. Relating to: the session schedule for the 2013-2014 biennial session period.
By joint committee on Legislative Organization.
hist645The question was: Adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 1? The ayes and noes were demanded and the vote was: ayes, 33; noes, 0; absent or not voting, 0; as follows:
Ayes - Senators Carpenter, Cowles, T. Cullen, Darling, Ellis, Erpenbach, Farrow, S. Fitzgerald, Grothman, Gudex, Hansen, Harris, Harsdorf, Jauch, Kedzie, C. Larson, Lasee, Lassa, Lazich, Lehman, Leibham, Miller, Moulton, Olsen, Petrowski, Risser, Schultz, Shilling, Taylor, Tiffany, Vinehout, Vukmir and Wirch - 33.
Noes - None.
Absent or not voting - None.
Adopted.
Senator Fitzgerald, with unanimous consent, asked that all action be immediately messaged to the Assembly:
Senate Joint Resolution 1
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Petitions and Communications
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Secretary of State
December 14, 2012
The Honorable, the Senate:
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 2011-2012 legislature and duly published as required by Section 1 of Article XII of the Constitution: Enrolled Joint Resolution 4 (first consideration)
Sincerely,
DOUGLAS LA FOLLETTE
Secretary of State
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Announcements, Adjournment Honors and Remarks Under Special Privilege
Senator Lasee, with unanimous consent, introduced his guest attending the 2013 inaugural; his wife, Amy Joy Lasee.
Senator Harris, with unanimous consent, introduced her guests attending the 2013 inaugural; Josephine Montgomery, George Harris, Jr., Karen Thomas-Harris, Nicole Buckley, Tamara Walker, LaTisha Terry, Anthony Dodd, Marina Dimitrijevic, Theodore Lipscomb, Lincoln Russell, Connie Russell, Sarah Noble, LG Shanklin-Flowers, Eyon Biddle, Cory Joe Biddle, Virginia Duiven, Annie Woodard, Wesley Landry, Kenya Johnson and Mark Sanders.
Senator Darling, with unanimous consent, introduced her guests attending the 2013 inaugural; Penny Krist, Carly Nusser, Jennie Frederick, Kathy Kiernan, and Peter Sorce.
Senator Harsdorf, with unanimous consent, introduced her guests attending the 2013 inaugural; her son, Ryan, her sisters and their spouses, Roxy and Wade Carlson and Sue and Steve Josephson, and her brother, Jim Harsdorf.
Senator Harsdorf, with unanimous consent, asks that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of her mother, who was not able to attend today’s inauguration, but who is in our thoughts and with us in spirit.
Senator Harsdorf, with unanimous consent, asks that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of her staff for their hard work and commitment to serving our constituents, and for their help in enabling her to serve.
Senator Harsdorf, with unanimous consent, asks that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of the over 30 friends that made the trip to Madison from western Wisconsin for the inauguration ceremony. She is grateful for their support and friendship.
Senator Tiffany, with unanimous consent, introduced his guests attending the 2013 inaugural; his wife Chris and their three daughters Karlyn, Lexie, and Katherine. In addition, Senator Tiffany is also joined by family members including his mother Virgal Tiffany, his sister and brother-in-law Lou and Jim Welter, his sister Sally and brother-in-law Don Weisenbeck, his brother Richard, and his brother Charles with his son Tanner.
Senator Miller, with unanimous consent, introduced his guests attending the 2013 inaugural; Jo Oyama Miller, Chandra Miller Fienen, Jeff Miller, Karen Miller, Randy Miller, Debi Leeper, Kabir Moss, and Tyler Verana, and Mia Kuhn.
Senator Lehman, with unanimous consent, introduced his guests attending the 2013 inaugural; Meg Andrietsch and Kelley Albrecht in the Senate gallery, from the district.
Senator Risser, with unanimous consent, introduced his guests attending the 2013 inaugural; his wife, Nancy Risser, his daughter, Lisa White and her husband Randy, his son-in-law Doug Falck, and his good friend Kara Sailing.
Senator Risser, with unanimous consent, asks that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of a member of his staff, Dianne Cieslewicz, who will be retiring from state service this month. Dianne has worked for the Wisconsin Legislature for 33 years. In her first 17 years, she worked for 7 different legislators (on both sides of the aisle, we might note): Former Representatives Gary Dilweg, Dave Prosser, Vern Holschbach, and Rosemary Potter, and Former Senators Mordecai Lee, Bill TeWinkle, and John Plewa. Dianne has been on his staff for 16 years, serving as Chief of Staff for the past 8 years. She is a trusted advisor and good friend. Senator Risser wishes her the best as she moves on to her next adventure.
Senator Lazich, with unanimous consent, introduced her guests attending the 2013 inaugural; Sandy Hammel and Mary Kusz, from the 28th Senate District.
Senator Hansen, with unanimous consent, introduced his guests attending the 2013 inaugural; his wife Jane Hansen, his brother and sister-in-law Dennis and Mary Jo Hansen, his brother Donald Hansen, and his staff members Ashley Viste and Katie Rhodes.
Senator Shilling, with unanimous consent, introduced her guests attending the 2013 inaugural; her husband Chris Shilling, her sons Nate and Zach Shillilng, her mother and father-in-law Kathy and Jim Shilling, her uncle Bill Babcock, her aunt Marge Babcock, her aunt Ann Ehlenfeldt and her aunt Barbara Wise.
Senate Sergeant at Arms Ted Blazel, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of his wife, Hanna Blazel, his sons Benjamin and William Blazel, and his parents Robert and Mary Kay Blazel.
Senate Chief Clerk Jeffrey Renk, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of his wife Paula Renk, his son Matt Renk, and his brothers Thomas and John Renk.
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Adjournment
Senator Fitzgerald, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate stand adjourned pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1.
Adjourned.
3:14 P.M.
