Conservatively Speaking
State Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) represents parts of four counties: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Walworth. Her Senate District 28 includes New Berlin, Franklin, Greendale, Hales Corners, Muskego, Waterford, Big Bend, the town of Vernon and parts of Greenfield, East Troy, and Mukwonago. Senator Lazich has been in the Legislature for more than a decade. She considers herself a tireless crusader for lower taxes, reduced spending and smaller government.
Governor Proclaims 2012 to be Year of the Veterans
Everyday Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom service members return home. Governor Walker proclaimed 2012, the Year of the Veterans. The Year of the Veterans Proclamation honors the sacrifices of Wisconsin's veterans from all wars, operations, and branches of the military. Governor Walker directed state agencies to provide at least 15 veteran specific job fairs and four employer education symposiums. For more information about the Year of the Veterans you may visit: www.yearoftheveteran.com .
State Senate Calendar for March 6, 2012
First Order. Call of Roll.
Second Order. Chief clerk's entries.
Third Order. Introduction, first reading and reference of proposals.
Fourth Order. Report of committees.
Fifth Order. Petitions and communications.
Sixth Order. Referrals and receipt of committee reports concerning proposed administrative rules.
Seventh Order. Advice and consent of the Senate
QUESTION: Shall the appointment be confirmed?
Assef, Saied, of Green Bay, as a member of the Wisconsin Judicial Commission, to serve for the term ending August 1, 2014.
Barrette, Mark, of Beaver Dam, as a member of the Wisconsin Judicial Commission, to serve for the term ending August 1, 2014.
Bogost, Gregg A., of Madison, as a member of the Radiology Examining Board, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2015.
Burnett, Eileen, of De Pere, as a member of the Wisconsin Judicial Commission, to serve for the term ending August 1, 2014.
Cullinan, William, of New Berlin, as a member of the Wisconsin Judicial Commission, to serve for the term ending August 1, 2014.
Ellis, Julie, of New Berlin, as a member of the Board of Nursing, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2015.
Hammes, Brian, of Fond Du Lac, as a member of the Optometry Examining Board, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2015.
Jafari, Mary, of Onalaska, as a member of the Radiography Examining Board, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2012.
Jensen, Doreen, of Oshkosh, as a member of the Hearing and Speech Examining Board, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2012.
Leazer, Lynn, of Verona, as a member of the Wisconsin Judicial Commission, to serve for the term ending August 1, 2012.
Misra, Suresh, of Mequon, as a member of the Medical Examining Board, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2015.
Petersen, Andrew, of Verona, as a member of the Wisconsin Technical College System Board, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2015.
Polenske, Mary Ellen, of Sun Prairie, as a member of the Hearing and Speech Examining Board, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2015.
Rambo, Larry, of Hartland, as a member of the Health Insurance Risk-Sharing Plan Authority, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2014.
Reuter, Geraldine, of Lancaster, as a member of the Barbering and Cosmetology Examining Board, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2015.
Swan, Timothy, of Marshfield, as a member of the Medical Examining Board, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2013.
Vasudevan, Sridhar V., of Belgium, as a member of the Medical Examining Board, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2012.
Viste-Johnson, Barbara, of Luxemburg, as a member of the Marriage and Family Therapy Professional Counseling and Social Work Examining Board, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2015.
Wagner, Thomas, of Oshkosh, as a member of the Health Insurance Risk-Sharing Plan Authority, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2014.
Weis, William W., of Franklin, as a member of the Podiatrists Affiliated Credentialing Board, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2015.
Willis, Patricia, of Waukesha, as a member of the Hearing and Speech Examining Board, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2014.
Eighth Order. Messages from the Assembly.
QUESTION: Shall the amendment be concurred in?
Senate Bill 338. Relating to: waiving fees for certain professional and occupational licenses issued to veterans. Assembly Amendments 1 and 2 pending
Ninth Order. Special Orders.
Special Order at 1:31 P.M.
Assembly Bill 426. Relating to: regulation of ferrous metallic mining and related activities, making an appropriation, and providing penalties. Senate Substitute Amendment 2 pending
Tenth Order. Consideration of motions, resolutions, and joint resolutions not requiring a third reading.
QUESTION: Shall the joint resolution be adopted?
Senate Joint Resolution 58. Relating to: commending Laura Kaeppeler on winning the Miss America pageant.
Senate Joint Resolution 65. Relating to: commending Madison Area Technical College on its 100th anniversary.
Senate Joint Resolution 66. Relating to: commemorating the achievements and contributions of Moraine Park Technical College on the occasion of its centennial.
Senate Joint Resolution 69. Relating to: honoring the members of Bon Iver and Justin Vernon on their 2012 Grammy Awards.
Eleventh Order. Second reading and amendments of senate joint resolutions and senate bills.
QUESTION: Shall the bill be ordered to a third reading?
Senate Bill 50. Relating to: wind energy system rules.
Senate Bill 58. Relating to: liability of public utility customers for unbilled utility service.
Senate Bill 114. Relating to: legislative consideration of a biennial budget bill.
Senate Bill 179. Relating to: requiring a private school that provides child care for children under three years of age to be licensed to operate a child care center. Senate Amendment 1 pending
Senate Bill 255. Relating to: the publication and effective dates of acts.
Senate Bill 308. Relating to: deposit placement programs of public depositories.
Senate Bill 394. Relating to: establishing an assistant district attorney pay progression plan. Senate Substitute Amendment 1 pending
Senate Bill 396. Relating to: financial assistance for the livestock premises registration program, a tax credit for livestock identification tags and tag-reading equipment, and making an appropriation. Senate Substitute Amendment 1 pending
Senate Bill 399. Relating to: the admissibility of hearsay evidence at a preliminary examination.
Senate Bill 407. Relating to: zinc air button cell batteries and providing penalties.
Senate Bill 411. Relating to: hunting and trapping of wolves, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, and making an appropriation. Senate Amendments 1 and 3 pending
Senate Bill 415. Relating to: buying, selling, bartering, and trading of nonedible parts from upland game birds.
Senate Bill 426. Relating to: intentional program violations of public assistance programs.
Senate Amendments 1 and 2 pending
Senate Bill 429. Relating to: portable electronics insurance and providing a penalty.
Senate Amendment 1 pending
Senate Bill 441. Relating to: authorizing the Department of Natural Resources to collect voluntary contributions in addition to fees charged for certain approvals, authorizing the voluntary contributions to be paid to the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, and making an appropriation.
Senate Bill 452. Relating to: exception to local levy limits for the village of Warrens.
Senate Bill 453. Relating to: the authority and responsibility of the Department of Safety and Professional Services, requirements for obtaining certain licenses or other credentials from the Department of Safety and Professional Services, weighing a product that contains opium or another controlled substance, and granting rule-making authority. Senate Substitute Amendment 1 pending
Senate Bill 457. Relating to: dispensing motor vehicle fuel for persons with disabilities, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty.
Senate Bill 459. Relating to: economic development activities of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority.
Senate Bill 461. Relating to: the governor's read to lead development fund, the Read to Lead Development Council, grants in support of literacy and early childhood development programs, teacher licensure, screening kindergarten pupils for reading readiness, remedial reading services for certain pupils, evaluating teacher preparatory programs and educator effectiveness, requiring the exercise of rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1, Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Amendment 4 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1, Senate Amendment 4 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1, and Senate Substitute Amendment 1 pending
Senate Bill 463. Relating to: the angel investment and early stage seed investment tax credit programs. Senate Amendments 1 and 2 pending
Senate Bill 464. Relating to: prohibiting fingerprinting in connection with professional credentials issued by the Department of Safety and Professional Services or an examining board or affiliated credentialing board, except as provided in the statutes, and requiring the exercise of rule-making authority.
Senate Bill 465. Relating to: the definition of municipality for purposes of tax refund setoffs.
Senate Bill 474. Relating to: matching financial records for Medical Assistance eligibility and providing a penalty.
Senate Bill 475. Relating to: audits and reports of state savings banks and state savings and loan associations.
Senate Bill 476. Relating to: changing the date of fire prevention week from the week of October 8 to the week of October 9.
Senate Bill 492. Relating to: regulating certain service contracts and granting rule-making authority.
Senate Amendment 1 pending
Senate Bill 496. Relating to: brucellosis testing of milk, cream, and cattle and restrictions on moving or sale of American bison and other animal species.
Senate Bill 497. Relating to: designation, modification, and termination of agricultural enterprise areas.
Senate Bill 498. Relating to: the pest abatement authority of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
Senate Bill 518. Relating to: gasoline vapor recovery requirements and granting rule-making authority.
Senate Bill 524. Relating to: exception to local levy limits for the city of Fox Lake.
Senate Bill 526. Relating to: technical changes to the qualified production activities income and franchise tax credit.
Twelfth Order. Second reading and amendments of assembly joint resolutions and assembly bills.
QUESTION: Shall the bill be ordered to a third reading?
Assembly Bill 56. Relating to: retail theft, proof of ownership for flea market sales, and providing penalties.
Assembly Bill 176. Relating to: minimum harvesting requirements for commercial fishing in the Great Lakes.
Assembly Bill 217. Relating to: impersonating certain officials and providing a penalty.
Assembly Bill 334. Relating to: possession of certain animals killed by vehicles.
Assembly Bill 384. Relating to: weapons that may be used to hunt certain animals and requirements for establishing open hunting seasons for those animals.
Assembly Bill 395. Relating to: acquisition of land in the Niagara Escarpment corridor.
Assembly Bill 397. Relating to: failing to report the death of a child or to report a missing child, moving the corpse of a child, hiding a corpse to collect public benefits, and providing penalties.
Thirteenth Order. Third reading of joint resolutions and bills.
Fourteenth Order. Motions may be offered.
Fifteenth Order. Announcements, adjournment honors, and remarks under special privilege.
Sixteenth Order. Adjournment.
Dane County Judge Holds Up Voter ID
Today, a Dane County judge issued a temporary injunction blocking the voter photo ID law from applying to the April 3, 2012, presidential primary. The ruling is disappointing; however, I am confident that the law will ultimately be upheld.
When the voter ID law was drafted, I worked diligently to ensure it is constitutional. Many forms of identification are acceptable. Special accommodations are made for people with legitimate problems including electors indefinitely confined or victims of sensitive crimes. Any elector in Wisconsin in need of an ID to vote may get one free of charge.
Mining Bill on Today’s Senate Calendar
Assembly Bill (AB) 426, the mining bill, is on the calendar for today’s Senate floor session. Yesterday, the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance adopted modifications to the bill. Those modifications may be found here.
Governor Walker E-Update
E-update From the Desk of Governor Scott Walker
One of the most important duties I have serving as your Governor is to provide you directly with updates related to the operation of our state government. I also frequently provide updates on Facebook (Governor Scott Walker) and Twitter (@govwalker). Please feel free to share this update with your family, friends, and others who may be interested in state government operations.
Senate Calendar for March 13, 2012
Free Rides Program on Saint Patrick's Day
This Saturday, Saint Patrick's Day, free rides will be available on all Milwaukee County Transit System routes from 6 pm until the end of regular service on March 17, 2012. To find out more about the free rides program partnership between Milwaukee County Transit System, Beer Capitol Distributing and many other community partners visit this website: www.millerlitefreerides.com
Senate Back in Session at 4:15pm
The State Senate met today and approved two resolutions and eight bills. I am p leased to say three of the eight bills approved by the state senate are bills I am the lead sponsor. The State Senate is scheduled to return to the Senate the floor and take up the rest of the calendar at 4:15 PM. Here is a link to the Senate In Session website: http://legis.wisconsin.gov/insession/senate/
You may watch the State Senate live at www.wisconsineye.com
Legislative Session Update
The State Senate recessed at 8:45 PM Tuesday until 10:00 AM today, Wednesday. The State Assembly recessed approximately 3:30 AM Wednesday morning. The State Senate reconvened Wednesday morning at 10:00 AM and considered 15 bills messaged from the Assembly and four additional bills. The State Senate and State Assembly are scheduled to be in session Thursday March 15, 2012. March 15, 2012, is the final day of the 2011-2012 General Session of the Legislature.
State Senate is Session at 2:30 pm
The State Senate will be on the floor today for the final day of the general legislative session. Here is a link to the Senate In Session website: http://legis.wisconsin.gov/insession/senate/
You may also watch the State Senate action at www.wisconsineye.com
Senate Adjourns Historic 2011-12 Session
The State Senate 2011-12 General Legislative Session ended today. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald 's closing comments follow:
Sen. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau)
Town Hall Meetings Schedule
Town Hall Meetings are scheduled throughout Senate District 28. Residents of Senate District 28 are invited to attend any of the Town Hall Meetings at any of the locations.
Saturday March 24, 2012
Town of Waterford 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Waterford Town Hall
415 North Milwaukee Street, Waterford
Big Bend 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Big Bend Village Hall
W230 S9185 Nevins Street, Big Bend
Town of Waukesha 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Waukesha Town Hall
W250 S3567 Center Road, Waukesha
Hales Corners 1:45 PM – 2:45 PM
Hales Corners Village Hall, Village Board Room
5635 South New Berlin Road, Hales Corners
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Town of Vernon 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Vernon Town Hall
W249 S8910 Center Drive, Big Bend
Waterford 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Waterford Village Hall
123 North River Street, Waterford
Muskego 4:00 PM- 5:00 PM
Muskego Public Library
S73 W16663 Janesville Road, Muskego
East Troy and New Berlin Eisenhower Sending Girls Basketball Teams to State
Congratulations to New Berlin Eisenhower High School and East Troy High School Girls Basketball teams qualifying for the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) State Girls Basketball Tournament. The tournament will be held at the Kohl Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Campus Thursday March 22 through Saturday March, 2012.
The East Troy Trojans Girls Basketball team is scheduled to play Oostburg High School Friday March 23, 2012, at about 10:30 AM at the Kohl Center with the winner advancing to the Division 3 championship game Saturday March 24, 2012 at about 3 PM.
Governor Signs Traffic Control Attendant Bill Into Law
Today Governor Walker signed Senate Bill 458, the traffic control attendant bill, into law. The bill is now 2011 Wisconsin Act 141. I drafted the bill upon the request of Mukwonago Police Lieutenant Ken Pileggi about the issue of pedestrian safety at Mukwonago's Elegant Farmer. State law prohibited civilian traffic attendants. Village of Waterford officials have a similar traffic control issue.
2011 Wisconsin Act 141 allows local governments to appoint trained civilian traffic control attendants to assist people crossing the street.
Flags Lowered to Half Staff State Wide for U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Jesse J. Grindey
Governor Walker ordered flags across Wisconsin fly at half-staff Friday March 23, 2012, in honor of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Jesse J. Grindey of Hazel Green, WI. Staff Sergeant Grindey lost his life while serving our country at Afghanistan. Executive Order # 64 is below.
Governor Walker's Weekly Radio Address
Reminder: Town Hall Meetings This Saturday, March 24, 2012
Town of Waterford 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Waterford Town Hall, 415 North Milwaukee Street, Waterford
Big Bend 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Big Bend Village Hall, W230 S9185 Nevins Street, Big Bend
Town of Waukesha 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Waukesha Town Hall, W250 S3567 Center Road, Waukesha
Hales Corners 1:45 PM – 2:45 PM
Hales Corners Village Hall, Village Board Room,
5635 South New Berlin Road, Hales Corners
E-update From the Desk of Governor Scott Walker
One of the most important duties I have serving as your Governor is to provide you directly with updates related to the operation of our state government. I also frequently provide updates on Facebook (Governor Scott Walker) and Twitter (@govwalker). Please feel free to share this update with your family, friends, and others who may be interested in state government operations.
WisconsinEye now available on Time Warner Cable
WisconsinEye is the Wisconsin State Legislature’s version of C-SPAN. WisconsinEye has been in existence since 2007 providing live coverage of legislative activity and an archive of legislative activity. WisconsinEye is available at this link: http://www.wiseye.org/
It is announced today that WisconsinEye is available to Time Warner Cable digital customers at channel 363.
Reminder: Town Hall Meetings Thursday, March 29, 2012
Town of Vernon 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Vernon Town Hall, W249 S8910 Center Drive, Big Bend
Interim report on Wisconsin Deer Management and Hunting Practices Released
Dr. James Kroll, also known as Dr. Deer, released an interim report of his findings about Wisconsin deer management and hunting practices. Here is a link to the report: http://www.dnr.wi.gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/documents/krollreport.pdf
Dr. Kroll and the Wisconsin Conservation Congress scheduled town hall meetings April 16 through 21, 2012. The town hall meetings are open to everyone. The meeting scheduled for Southeastern Wisconsin is Saturday, April 21, 2012, 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM at State Fair Park, the Tommy G Thompson Youth Center. Here is a link to information about six scheduled town halls: http://www.dnr.wi.gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/documents/kroll.pdf
Legislative Audit Bureau Releases Financial Audit of State of Wisconsin
Today, the Legislative Audit Bureau (LAB) released the annual financial audit of the State of Wisconsin. The audit reveals state agencies administered almost $15 billion of federal financial assistance during fiscal year 2010-11. $2.8 billion was received through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The LAB finds overall state agencies have complied with federal grant requirements and recommends 58 ways to improve administering federal funds. Here is a link to the LAB's audit: http://legis.wisconsin.gov/lab/reports/12-6full.pdf
Federal Court Strikes Parts of Act 10
Today, the US District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin struck two provisions of 2011 Act 10, commonly known as Governor Walker’s budget repair bill. In the opinion, Obama appointee Judge William Conley struck the provisions preventing automatic deduction of union dues and requiring annual union certification by a majority of employees.
Reminder: Town Hall Meetings Saturday, March 31, 2012
Greendale 11:00 AM. - 12:00 PM
Greendale Public Library, 5647 Broad Street, Greendale
New Berlin 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
New Berlin Public Library, 15105 Library Lane, New Berlin
