Messaged.
Action Messaged.
_____________
Motions may be offered
Senator Smith asked unanimous consent that the rules be suspended and Senate Bill 361 be withdrawn from the committee on Labor and Regulatory Reform and taken up at this time.
Senator LeMahieu objected.
Senator Smith moved that Senate Bill 361 be withdrawn from the committee on Labor and Regulatory Reform.
Senate Bill 361
Relating to: regulating and addressing PFAS, providing an exemption from rule-making procedures, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation.
hist156477The question was: Shall Senate Bill 361 be withdrawn from the committee on Labor and Regulatory Reform? The ayes and noes were demanded and the vote was: ayes, 11; noes, 19; absent or not voting, 3; as follows:
Ayes - Senators Agard, Bewley, Carpenter, Johnson, Larson, Pfaff, Ringhand, Roys, Smith, L. Taylor and Wirch - 11.
Noes - Senators Bradley, Cowles, Darling, Felzkowski, Feyen, Jacque, Jagler, Kapenga, Kooyenga, LeMahieu, Marklein, Nass, Petrowski, Roth, Stafsholt, Stroebel, Testin, Wanggaard and Wimberger - 19.
Absent or not voting - Senators Ballweg, Bernier and Erpenbach - 3.
Refused to withdraw.
Senator Erpenbach, with unanimous consent, asked to be recorded as voting “Aye” on the question of withdrawing Senate Bill 361 from the committee on Labor and Regulatory Reform.
hist156478Senator Petrowski, with unanimous consent, asked that the rules be suspended and Assembly Bill 887 be withdrawn from the committee on Senate Organization and taken up at this time. Assembly Bill 887
Relating to: an addition to the 2021-23 Authorized State Building Program for the construction of additional columbarium units at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
hist156481Senator LeMahieu, with unanimous consent, asked that the rules be suspended and the bill be given its third reading. Read a third time and concurred in.
Senator Smith asked unanimous consent that the rules be suspended and Senate Bill 956 be withdrawn from the committee on Education and taken up at this time.
Senator LeMahieu objected.
Senator Smith moved that the rules be suspended and Senate Bill 956 be withdrawn from the committee on Education and taken up at this time.
Senate Bill 956
Relating to: the additional child and dependent care tax credit, a rebate for individual residents, and a family caregiver tax credit; various changes to statutes related to elementary and secondary education in this state; increasing funding for the University of Wisconsin System, technical college system, special education, general equalization aids, and per pupil aid; granting rule-making authority; and making an appropriation.
hist156483The question was: Shall the rules be suspended and Senate Bill 956 be withdrawn from committee on Education and taken up at this time? The ayes and noes were demanded and the vote was: ayes, 11; noes, 19; absent or not voting, 3; as follows:
Ayes - Senators Agard, Bewley, Carpenter, Johnson, Larson, Pfaff, Ringhand, Roys, Smith, L. Taylor and Wirch - 11.
Noes - Senators Bradley, Cowles, Darling, Felzkowski, Feyen, Jacque, Jagler, Kapenga, Kooyenga, LeMahieu, Marklein, Nass, Petrowski, Roth, Stafsholt, Stroebel, Testin, Wanggaard and Wimberger - 19.
Absent or not voting - Senators Ballweg, Bernier and Erpenbach - 3.
Refused to suspend rules to withdraw and take up.
Senator Erpenbach, with unanimous consent, asked to be recorded as voting “Aye” on the question of withdrawing Senate Bill 956 from the committee on Education.
Senator LeMahieu, with unanimous consent, asked that all action be immediately messaged to the Assembly:
Messaged.
_____________
Consideration of resolutions and joint resolutions not requiring a third reading
Assembly Joint Resolution 128
Relating to: honoring the life and service of Firefighter Stephen M. Smith.
hist156485The question was: Concurrence in Assembly Joint Resolution 128? Concurred in.
Senator LeMahieu, with unanimous consent, asked that all action be immediately messaged to the Assembly:
Messaged.
_____________
Announcements, Adjournment Honors, and Remarks Under Special Privilege
Senator Kooyenga, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of some of the people who have had such a huge part of his 12 years in the Legislature. William Neville was with the Senator for his first campaign and was his first staff person. Nick Bentz joined the team and became a friend. Senator Kooyenga appreciated all his work. Nick Bures, who is currently away on military leave, was the first veteran who has worked for the Senator. He appreciates Nick and hopes he is doing well with his training right now. Chris Rochester, who has been his communications guy, has been great to be around. Chris has become a friend, and Senator Kooyenga appreciates his company, and Chris just found the Senator’s voice. Rachel Vander Wiele has been with him for 13 years. When his first campaign started, Rachel would be at his house, sitting with his now 8th grader on her knee, pushing kids around. She is not a big fan of kids all the time, but she loved the Kooyenga kids. Thank you very much, Rachel. Sandy, who Senator Kooyenga will call just because he needs to talk to her about all sorts of different issues. Senator Kooyenga will never forget the day Sandy was a lobbyist for the Bar Association and whispered to him, “If you’re ever hiring, I’d love to work for you.” He was honored that someone of that caliber would want to join the team, so he is very grateful for Sandy. Most of all, his family has been amazing. Before he and his wife dated, he talked about joining the military. When she asked him why he would not join, he had many excuses. She said, “Well, that’s a great way to go through life is really wanting to do something and never doing it.” Senator Kooyenga drove from that conversation directly to the Army recruiting station and signed up for the Army in a time of war. His wife had kept that mentality throughout their relationship, especially when he got the idea to run for office, and she gave her full support. She’s been so supportive. Senator Kooyenga thanks Grant, his 8th grader. They don’t bring politics into their house. There’s plenty to talk about in the world, but Grant has brought it in. The Senator appreciates Grant’s intellectual curiosity and interest in the Senator's interests and is so proud of him. Taylor, his 6th grader, is so smart and loves everything he loves. He also recognizes Quin, who is in 4th grade, and Ada. His family has only known a life of politics. While it’s been tough, it has also been good. This is such a small part of who we are. Whatever God has in store post this body for Senator Kooyenga, he wants to say that it’s been a pleasure to be here, an honor. He is not a victim because this is not a right to be here. It is an absolute privilege. Wherever we go from here, Senator Kooyenga wants to thank you for you, your relationships, and the state of Wisconsin for the service.
Senator Ringhand, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of Master Cheese Maker, Steve Stetler from Decatur Dairy in rural Brodhead, for winning the National Cheese Makers contest for “Cheese Curds” last week in Madison. Steve was anointed as the 1st “Master Cheese Curd Maker” a few years ago. Decatur Dairy’s mottos is “the Curd is the word.”
Senator Ringhand, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of her husband, Gordon, who will celebrate his 75th birthday on 3/12/22 and their 53rd anniversary on 3/15/22, for enduring the 12 years she has been in this body with much patience and support.
Senator Pfaff, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of the people of Ukraine. Threats to freedom and democracy should not go unchecked. As a body we cannot sit idly by while dictators invade sovereign nations and force families to flee their homes. Just as the international community has come together, we too should condemn Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. As we adjourn today, Senator Pfaff would like to take a moment of silence in support of the Ukrainian people as they fight back against the unlawful Russian invasion. Thank you.
Senator Kapenga, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of Lt. Governor and Senator Margaret Farrow, who peacefully passed away this morning at her home surrounded by family and loved ones. Margaret was an icon in Wisconsin politics serving nearly 50 years in many roles including but not limited to municipal government, the State Assembly, State Senate, Lt. Governor’s office, where she was the very first female Lt. Governor in Wisconsin history and many more. She was a proud graduate of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine High School in Racine and earned her Bachelor’s degree from Marquette University. Margaret helped found the Waukesha Business Alliance, which represents over 1,100 member businesses. Margaret was a champion for Waukesha County and leaves behind a void that can never be filled. Senator Kapenga will be praying for her family and know that all of us here in the Senate send our condolences and thanks for a life dedicated to serving the public.
