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Wisconsin Legislative SpotlightMaintained by the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB), this page provides an overview of recent and upcoming activities in the Wisconsin Legislature. The LRB revises its content weekly during legislative floorperiods and less often when the legislature is not in session. Links to more detailed information are highlighted in the text. |
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection reports that nearly 400,000 Wisconsin residents have been dropped from the state's "No-Call List" and need to sign up by December 1 (for a two-year period beginning January 1) to get back on the list that prohibits many telemarketers from calling residents who do not wish to receive telephone solicitations. Under current law, a registration for the list expires after two years and must be renewed to maintain coverage.
In the November 7 general election, 17 Senate seats and all 99 Assembly seats were on the ballot. Preliminary results indicate that the 2007 Wisconsin Legislature will have a Democratic majority in the Senate (18 Democrats and 15 Republicans) and a Republican majority in the Assembly (52 Republicans and 47 Democrats).
But recounts were ordered in the 43rd, 47th, 88th, and 96th Assembly District races. The preliminary results in these districts were:
43. Kim Hixson (D) 10,287 v. Debra Towns (R) (Incumbent) 10,278 (revised)
47. Eugene Hahn (R) (Incumbent) 12,088 v. Meagan Yost (D) 11,934
88. James Soletski (D) 8,927 v. Judy Krawczyk (R) (Incumbent) 8,840
96. Lee Nerison (R) (Incumbent) 9,782 v. Gail Frie (D) 9,352
Rep. Krawczyk has since conceded.
Attorney General candidate Kathleen Falk and State Treasurer candidate Jack Voight, who each trailed their opponents by relatively small margins in initial election counts, have conceded and have chosen not to seek recounts.
On December 1, the State Elections Board will certify the election results and make them available on their Web site.
Senate. In caucuses on November 9, the Senate elected leaders for the 2007 Legislature. The Senate Democrats designated Fred Risser as Senate President, Tim Carpenter as President Pro Tempore, Judy Robson as Senate Majority Leader, Dave Hansen as Assistant Majority Leader, Mark Miller as Senate Majority Caucus Chairperson, Jeff Plale as Assistant Majority Caucus Chairperson, Spencer Coggs as Senate Majority Caucus Sergeant at Arms, and Jim Sullivan as Senate Majority Caucus Secretary. Senate Republicans designated Scott Fitzgerald as Senate Minority Leader, Joseph Leibham as Assistant Minority Leader, and Glenn Grothman as Minority Caucus Chairperson.
Assembly. On November 14, Assembly party caucuses elected the Assembly leadership for the 2007 Legislature. Republicans elected Michael Huebsch as Speaker, Mark Gottlieb as Speaker Pro Tempore, Jeff Fitzgerald as Majority Leader, Mark Gundrum as Assistant Majority Leader, Mark Honadel as Majority Caucus Chairperson, Pat Strachota as Majority Caucus Vice Chairperson, Mary Williams as Majority Caucus Secretary, and Jerry Petrowski as Majority Caucus Sergeant at Arms. Democrats elected James Kreuser as Minority Leader, Jon Richards as Assistant Minority Leader, Tony Staskunas as Minority Caucus Chairperson, Tamara Grigsby as Minority Caucus Vice Chairperson, Donna Seidel as Minority Caucus Secretary, and Ann Hraychuck as Minority Caucus Sergeant at Arms.
Voters approved the constitutional amendment banning gay marriages and civil unions. The preliminary vote total was: Yes: 1,260,554 and No: 861,554. Voters also approved an advisory referendum regarding the death penalty in Wisconsin. The preliminary vote was: Yes: 1,163,163 and No: 932,286
Session. The 2005 Wisconsin Legislature completed its last general business floorperiod on Wednesday, May 31, 2006, pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1. SJR-1 establishes the 2005-2006 Session Schedule. The session does not officially end until the inauguration of the 2007 Legislature on January 3, 2007. There are no more scheduled regular floorperiods until that time.
Action on Bills. The governor has acted upon 538 bills passed by both houses of the legislature, signing 491 into law, vetoing 47, and partially vetoing 2. View the Acts and veto messages on the Wisconsin Legislature’s Web site. The Legislative Reference Bureau has released Wisconsin Brief 06-9 detailing the executive vetoes made during the 2005-2006 Session.
Study committees are established by the Joint Legislative Council to examine major issues and problems identified by the Legislature. The study committees are made up of legislators and citizens who are interested in or knowledgeable about the study topic. Among the special committees established for the 2006 interim are those relating to: Review of the State School Aid Formula, Affirmative Action, Charter Schools, Disaster Preparedness Planning, Nuclear Power, the Great Lakes Water Resources Compact, the Placement of Sex Offenders, Review of Crimes Against Children, and Strengthening Wisconsin’s Families. Information about the committees, including their membership, schedule of meetings and agendas, minutes of meetings, and related publications may be accessed on the Wisconsin Legislative Council’s Web site.
Legislative Council Special Committee on Charter Schools meets Tuesday, November 28.
Legislative Council Special Committee on Placement of Sex Offenders meets Thursday, November 30.
In October the Legislative Audit Bureau released a report on the University of Wisconsin System’s personnel policies and practices. The Joint Legislative Audit Committee meets on this topic Wednesday, November 29. Audio of the meeting will be available.
The Legislative Audit Bureau released an audit on DNR’s efforts to eradicate chronic wasting disease.
The Legislative Fiscal Bureau has released an information paper indicating the amount of school aids each school district will receive in 2006-07.
In September the Legislative Fiscal Bureau released a report on school finance.
The Legislative Reference Bureau recently released a new Wisconsin Brief on the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program and a Legislative Brief on Medical Malpractice.
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Last revised: October 22, 2012