God bless Wisconsin and God bless America.”
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With unanimous consent, Senator Agard addressed the members from the rostrum.
Remarks of Minority Leader Agard
“Mr. President, friends, and colleagues. I am honored to join you here today as we begin a new legislative session.
I want to welcome our new and returning members as well as their families. Welcome to our guests watching on the floor and in the galleries, and welcome to everyone watching at home on Wisconsin Eye.
So before I get started, I need to give a special shout out to my four boys: Devin, Bailey, Keanan, and Trystan - thank you for being you. I often say you’re as different as the four points of a compass and that’s what makes you so unique. I’m so proud to be your mom.
The beginning of each legislative session is the most hopeful time of our two-year cycle. We are here today with optimism in our hearts and a willingness in our spirit to do great things.
Like me, I’m sure you all knocked on a lot of doors during the recent election. And I’m sure you heard the same things I did. While we may put up political lines around our districts - the people of Wisconsin are one. They share the same values, hopes, and dreams whether they live in Superior or Elkhorn. Ellsworth or Oconto.
At the end of the day, Wisconsinites generally want the same things out of their state government - affordable health care and prescriptions, housing that doesn’t break the bank, clean air and water, the ability to live with purpose and with the freedoms we expect as Americans.
Now a common theme I heard on doorsteps across Wisconsin were frustrations over the state of our politics and how divided we’ve become.
They want us to stop arguing, stop the partisanship, and instead - focus on getting things done.
My Senate Democratic colleagues and I are ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work.
Make no mistake, we will hold true to our values but we are genuine in our interest in creating a better discourse.
We do this with a sense of duty, a sense of hope, and with an eye to the future of our state.
We are privileged to hold these positions. They are positions of consequence and possibility.
History will remember the policies we undertake that create long-term investments for our state.
History will remember our hard work toward sustainable improvements in people’s lives.
History, however, will not remember the cheap politics of the moment.
I am hopeful we can rise above our divisive times and strive to be better.
With Governor Evers' re-election, I am hopeful we can work together in pursuit of the commonsense policies the people across our state voted for when they elected him to a 2nd term with an even larger margin than 2018: strong public schools, strengthening our democracy, continuing to invest in our transportation infrastructure, and supporting our local units of government.
These are not Democratic values or Republican values. Just Wisconsin values.
Let us all aim to make this session one that is remembered for the positive work we do for the people. And for building a better way of doing things as colleagues.
Thank you, Mr. President.”
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Report of Committees
The joint committee on Legislative Organization reported and recommended:
Senate Joint Resolution 1
Relating to: the session schedule for the 2023-2024 biennial session period.
Ayes: 9 − Senator Kapenga, Representative Vos, Senators LeMahieu, Feyen and Agard, Representatives August, Plumer, Neubauer and Haywood.
Noes: 1 – Senator Smith.
CHRIS KAPENGA
Senate Chairperson
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Considered as privileged and taken up.
Relating to: the session schedule for the 2023-2024 biennial session period.
By the joint committee on Legislative Organization.
hist161103The question was: Adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 1? The ayes and noes were required and the vote was: ayes, 26; noes, 6; absent or not voting, 0; as follows:
Ayes - Senators Agard, Ballweg, Bradley, Cabral-Guevara, Cowles, Felzkowski, Feyen, Hutton, Jacque, Jagler, James, L. Johnson, Kapenga, LeMahieu, Marklein, Nass, Quinn, Roys, Stafsholt, Stroebel, Taylor, Testin, Tomczyk, Wanggaard, Wimberger and Wirch - 26.
Noes - Senators Carpenter, Hesselbein, Larson, Pfaff, Smith and Spreitzer - 6.
Absent or not voting - None - 0.
Adopted.
Senator LeMahieu, with unanimous consent, asked that all action be immediately messaged to the Assembly:
Messaged.
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Announcements, Adjournment Honors, and Remarks Under Special Privilege
Senator Jacque, with unanimous consent, introduced his guests attending the 2023 inaugural; Bill and Sue Vanevenhoven of Wrightstown.
Senator Carpenter, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor and memory of Dorothy Helmenstine who sadly passed away on December 26, 2022. Dorothy was a beloved friend and always provided tremendous support to Senator Carpenter, who will cherish her memory.
Senator Carpenter, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn in honor of the constituents of the 3rd State Senate District, and his staff for their support, as well as extend his gratitude for the work of the nonpartisan staff of the legislative service agencies. He looks forward to the opportunities to work together in the new session.
Senator Larson, with unanimous consent, introduced his guests attending the 2023 inaugural; wife Jessica, daughter Stella, and son Atticus.
Senator Nass, with unanimous consent, introduced his guests attending the 2023 inaugural; Sheila Reiff, Ashleigh Nordin, Jim Schildbach, and Zachary Malisow.
Senator Spreitzer, with unanimous consent, introduced his guests attending the 2023 inaugural; his husband, Philip Gorman; his parents, Richard and Carole Spreitzer; his brother, Tony Spreitzer; his mother-in-law, Marilee Gorman; retiring Senator Janis Ringhand; former Senator Judy Robson and John Kalkirtz; friends Vito Gabriele and Zak Williams; and his staff, Doug Hyant, Laura Pratt, and Trinity Fandre.
Senator Cabral-Guevara, with unanimous consent, introduced her guests attending the 2023 inaugural; Jean Hlavacek, Emilio Guevara, Lars Cabral, Dan Faestel, and Brian McKinnon.
Senator Wanggaard, with unanimous consent, introduced his guests attending the 2023 inaugural; his son Joshua V. Wanggaard, brother-in-law John J. Mizer, nephew Max A. Hynek, and Family friend from the Netherland, Johannes Arntz.
Senator Wanggaard, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of his brother Kevin Wanggaard who died unexpectedly of a stroke/aneurysm in april and sister Lynn Wanggaard – Laetner who succumbed to complications from cancer this past 2022 year, Both will be sadly missed but not forgotten.
Senator Wanggaard, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of his daughter Kathleen D. Jensen who has been diagnosed with cancer these past several weeks and remains firmly committed to a positive attitude and faithful to her faith that Jesus will heal her from this illness, Her genuine compassion for others and ability to build relationships has brought hundreds of people together of numerous denominations and church communities in prayer in her healing.
Senator Wanggaard, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of all the courageous victims of cancer, their families and friends and the many medical providers who offer support, understanding, and compassionate care every day.
Senator James, with unanimous consent, introduced his guests attending the 2023 inaugural; Vicki James, Ally James, Jon and Christian Dircks, Victoria Casola, Nate Cera, Mitch Goettl, and Maddy Hunt.
Senator Hesselbein, with unanimous consent, introduced her guests attending the 2023 inaugural; Bob Hesselbein, Will Edmundson, Annika Edmundson, Katie Hesselbein, Megan Kennedy, Mike Chapman, and Natalie Kobe.
Senator Kapenga, with unanimous consent, introduced his guests attending the 2023 inaugural; Sophie Kapenga, Cari Kapenga, Wendy Szafranski, Luke Szafranski, Cal Szafranski, Millie Szafranski, Vianne Szafranski, and Stella Szafranski.
Senate Chief Clerk Mike Queensland, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourns in honor of his wife, Liz, and his sons, Grayson and Hunter.
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Adjournment
Senator LeMahieu, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate stand adjourned until Tuesday, January 10, 2023.
Adjourned.
3:12 P.M.
