• Reuben Harpole Jr. — Civil rights activist, community educator, launched the Freedom Schools to keep students of color engaged in education during the boycotts to protest racial segregation in Milwaukee Public Schools;
• Mark Wade Sr. — Business leadership (General Mitchell International Airport concessionaire, All-Star Honda dealership, restaurateur), board chair – African World Festival, philanthropist;
• Chandra Cooper — Founder and CEO of Grateful Girls, a nonprofit that provides services and housing for young women who have been sex-trafficked, business owner of a communications and entertainment company, a childcare center, and a retail store;
• Kevin Newell — CEO of Royal Capital Group, prior roles in public finance led to an allocation of over $200 million in federal and state resources as the senior underwriter and to the deployment of the largest single allocation of federal tax credits in U.S. history, and in a separate transaction led the deployment of the first pairing of the low-income housing tax credit and new markets tax credit in Wisconsin state's history;
• Rev. Greg Lewis — Chair of Pastors United, a diverse cross section of stakeholders from the faith community, civil rights activist;
• Marques Johnson — Seven-season veteran of the Milwaukee Bucks, five-time NBA All-Star, and whose jersey was recently retired;
• Marcia Anderson — First African American woman to rise to the rank of Major General in the U.S. Army Reserve; and
• Phil Cockroft — Milwaukee Fire Department, heavy equipment operator and emergency medical technician; and
Whereas, while acknowledging the work of these leaders, it is equally critical to appreciate, both past and present, the long list of contributions of our fellow citizens, Black History Month gives Wisconsinites an occasion to recognize the significant influence people of African heritage have made, and continue to make, in the areas of medicine, art, politics, human rights, education, sports, and economic development; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the Wisconsin Legislature proclaims February 2019 as Black History Month and extends appreciation to the above-named persons for their contributions to the state of Wisconsin and the country and their fellow citizens.
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hist97616Senator Fitzgerald moved that Senate Amendment 1 to Assembly Joint Resolution 8 be laid on the table. The question was: Tabling of Senate Amendment 1 to Assembly Joint Resolution 8?
The ayes and noes were demanded and the vote was: ayes, 19; noes, 14; absent or not voting, 0; as follows:
Ayes - Senators Bernier, Cowles, Craig, Darling, Feyen, Fitzgerald, Jacque, Kapenga, Kooyenga, LeMahieu, Marklein, Nass, Olsen, Petrowski, Roth, Stroebel, Testin, Tiffany and Wanggaard - 19.
Noes - Senators Bewley, Carpenter, Erpenbach, Hansen, Johnson, Larson, Miller, Ringhand, Risser, Schachtner, Shilling, Smith, L. Taylor and Wirch - 14.
Absent or not voting – None - 0.
Tabled.
Senator Taylor asked unanimous consent that Assembly Joint Resolution 8 be referred to the committee on Senate Organization.
Senator Fitzgerald objected.
hist97622Senator L. Taylor moved that Assembly Joint Resolution 8 be referred to the committee on Senate Organization. The question was: Shall Assembly Joint Resolution 8 be referred to the committee on Senate Organization?
The ayes and noes were demanded and the vote was: ayes, 14; noes, 19; absent or not voting, 0; as follows:
Ayes - Senators Bewley, Carpenter, Erpenbach, Hansen, Johnson, Larson, Miller, Ringhand, Risser, Schachtner, Shilling, Smith, L. Taylor and Wirch - 14.
Noes - Senators Bernier, Cowles, Craig, Darling, Feyen, Fitzgerald, Jacque, Kapenga, Kooyenga, LeMahieu, Marklein, Nass, Olsen, Petrowski, Roth, Stroebel, Testin, Tiffany and Wanggaard - 19.
Absent or not voting – None - 0.
Referral refused.
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In the Chair
President Pro Tempore Marklein in the chair.
4:38 P.M.
hist97624Senator Erpenbach moved that Assembly Joint Resolution 8 be laid on the table. The question was: Tabling of Assembly Joint Resolution 8?
The ayes and noes were demanded and the vote was: ayes, 14; noes, 19; absent or not voting, 0; as follows:
Ayes - Senators Bewley, Carpenter, Erpenbach, Hansen, Johnson, Larson, Miller, Ringhand, Risser, Schachtner, Shilling, Smith, L. Taylor and Wirch - 14.
Noes - Senators Bernier, Cowles, Craig, Darling, Feyen, Fitzgerald, Jacque, Kapenga, Kooyenga, LeMahieu, Marklein, Nass, Olsen, Petrowski, Roth, Stroebel, Testin, Tiffany and Wanggaard - 19.
Absent or not voting – None - 0.
Refused to table.
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In the Chair
Senate President Roth in the chair.
5:21 P.M.
hist97625The question was: Concurrence of Assembly Joint Resolution 8? The ayes and noes were demanded and the vote was: ayes, 19; noes, 14; absent or not voting, 0; as follows:
Ayes - Senators Bernier, Cowles, Craig, Darling, Feyen, Fitzgerald, Jacque, Kapenga, Kooyenga, LeMahieu, Marklein, Nass, Olsen, Petrowski, Roth, Stroebel, Testin, Tiffany and Wanggaard - 19.
Noes - Senators Bewley, Carpenter, Erpenbach, Hansen, Johnson, Larson, Miller, Ringhand, Risser, Schachtner, Shilling, Smith, L. Taylor and Wirch - 14.
Absent or not voting – None - 0.
Concurred in.
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Second reading and amendments of assembly joint resolutions and assembly bills
Assembly Bill 4
Relating to: increasing the maximum deduction under the individual income tax sliding scale standard deduction.
hist97628Senator Fitzgerald, with unanimous consent, asked that the rules be suspended and the bill be given its third reading. Read a third time.
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In the Chair
President Pro Tempore Marklein in the chair.
5:47 P.M.
_____________
In the Chair
Senate President Roth in the chair.
6:33 P.M.
The question was: Concurrence of Assembly Bill 4?
The ayes and noes were required and the vote was: ayes, 19; noes, 14; absent or not voting, 0; as follows:
Ayes - Senators Bernier, Cowles, Craig, Darling, Feyen, Fitzgerald, Jacque, Kapenga, Kooyenga, LeMahieu, Marklein, Nass, Olsen, Petrowski, Roth, Stroebel, Testin, Tiffany and Wanggaard - 19.
Noes - Senators Bewley, Carpenter, Erpenbach, Hansen, Johnson, Larson, Miller, Ringhand, Risser, Schachtner, Shilling, Smith, L. Taylor and Wirch - 14.
Absent or not voting – None - 0.
Concurred in.
Senator Fitzgerald, 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 Wanggaard, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of fallen Milwaukee police office, Matthew Rittner. On February 6, Matthew was killed in the line of duty, while serving and protecting the people of his community. Joining the Milwaukee Police Department as a police aide in 2001, Matthew quickly rose through the ranks. He eventually earned the “Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor”, the highest award for bravery for law enforcement officers, after courageously helping to free hostages from a gunman. He was also a veteran of the US Marine Corps, serving two tours in the Middle East. Matthew was the perfect example of what it means to be a policeman, heroically guarding the vulnerable people in his community. It is a horrible crime when an officer is shot in the line of duty, but his family and friends should rest easier knowing that keeping people safe was Matthew’s passion. As a former law enforcement office himself, Senator Wanggaard knows he is not along in saying he feels as though he lost a brother. Police officers keep the public safe and are in irreplaceable part of our community. The effects of the loss of a single officer reverberates throughout the entire community and state. Not only was Matthew courageous, but he was also kind, caring, and decent. Thank you, Matthew Rittner, for your exemplary service and dedication to your community. You made a positive difference for the state of Wisconsin.
Senator Hansen, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of Bryan Rodriguez, a Milwaukee Department of Public Works employee who was killed in a hit and run accident on February 8.
Senator Wirch, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of his nephew, Ben Wirch. Ben swims for Indian Trail High School. He is just about a straight A student, plays in the band, and he qualified for the state championship finals at the Natatorium, so he will be swimming this Saturday. Good luck Ben.
Senator Shilling, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of the Senate Scholars, who have joined us here today.
Senator Tiffany, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of Bill Kelly from Antigo. Yesterday, Bill was honored as a Hometown Here in the State Assembly for his tireless work for the Salvation Army and his service to our country while stationed in the Philippines and Japan. Bill has worked with the Salvation Army for the past eighteen years. Fifteen years ago, Bill became the head of the bell ringers, bringing in $12,000. By 2015, they were raising $100,000 per year for the community. There is no doubt that Bill has made a big difference for Antigo. Senator Tiffany wants to commend Bill for his service to the community and our country. He is an inspiration to us all, and he is proud to honor him today.
Senator Schachtner, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of Lacy Ann Moreno, a St, Croix County dispatcher, who last week answered a 911 call from a woman who was short of breath and was in the midst of having a heart attack. Lacy Ann talked to her, comforted her, and she prayed with her. The woman, who was Senator Schachtner’s mother in law, passed away.
Senator L. Taylor, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of Matthew Rittner and his wife and son, as they grow through this unimaginable time.
Senator L. Taylor, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of Harvey Scales, who recently passed away. Harvey was an American R&B singer, songwriter, and producer who was born in Osceola, Arkansas, and grew up in Milwaukee, where he attended Roosevelt Middle School and North Division High School. He was known as “Twistin’ Harvey”, in the early 1960s. Scales had been active in the music industry since the 1960s, and composed songs for groups such as The Dells, The Dramatics, and The O’Jays. He is particularly notable for his co-authorship of the songs “Love-Itis” and “Disco Lady.” Once called Milwaukee’s “Godfather of Soul” by a local reporter, Scales credited James Brown and the sound of “funk” for influencing his music career. In 1961, he formed the group Harvey Scales and the Seven Sounds, which released several singles. Harvey Scales and the Seven Sounds initially recorded for Cuca Records, and later for Magic Touch Records, a Wisconsin-based label owned by Lenny LaCour. The band’s one hit was “Get Down”, backed with “Love-Itis”, which reached No. 32 on the R&B charts in 1967. Scales followed the career of Johnnie Taylor when Taylor moved to Columbia Records. Scales received national recognition for co-writing the Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping single for Johnnie Taylor, “Disco Lady”. “Disco Lady” was the very first platinum single in the history of the Recording Industry Association of America, selling over two million copies. It was certified platinum on April 22, 1976. As a result, Scales is the first songwriter of a platinum single in America. Scales also co-wrote, with Bunny Sigler, “Once is Not Enough”, recorded by the O’Jays and, as sole composer, “ Be For Real With Me”, which was recorded by the Dells. In 2009, a compilation album of material by Harvey Scales and the Seven Sounds, recorded for Magic Touch Records, was released by Soul-Tay-Shus Records as Love-Itis: All the Rare & Unreissued 45’s from the Vaults of Magic Touch: 1967-1977. Harvey Scales died on February 11, 2019 in Milwaukee. Wisconsin has lost a legend in the music industry.
Senator Taylor, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of the people that are doing the work on the streets in Milwaukee and Bryan Rodriguez and his family.
Senator Johnson, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of the people of Milwaukee. Milwaukee is known often for the less than two percent of the individuals who make the news for deaths, like Officer Matthew Rittner. Milwaukee has been hit really hard these past few weeks. Bryan Rodriguez was another loss. The strength and the love of Milwaukee residents, the way that they have come together, to support these families through fundraisers and things to help support these families is incredible.
