Speaker Vos in the chair.
_____________
Remarks by the Speaker
“Good afternoon, and congratulations to the members of the 107th Wisconsin State Assembly.
I would like to thank you for choosing me to serve as your Speaker again. It continues to be one of the greatest honors of my life and a duty that I never take for granted.
Thank you as well to Justice Rebecca Bradley, who swore us all in today, and Bishop Don Hying for offering the prayer.
Today is a special day for every single one of us, but Inauguration Day is especially meaningful for the 31 new individuals who are joining the 5,118 people who have served in the Assembly since Wisconsin’s statehood in 1848.
These new members will be called state representatives for the first time, and each has signed the official Assembly “Oath of Office” book. This book is a part of our history and contains the signature of every state representative sworn into office since 1877.
Let’s congratulate these new colleagues with a round of applause.
We share this special occasion with the important people in our lives—sons and daughters, husbands and wives, parents and grandparents…the people we depend on for support, love, and guidance.
I want to take a moment to recognize the true love of my life, my amazing wife Michelle, and my parents, who are here with me.
My parents' love and support made me who I am today, and Michelle’s constant love and encouragement keep me going. Thanks, Mom, Dad, and Michelle, for being here—I love you.
Our families, in a sense, are drafted to serve right alongside us, whether they realize it or not, and I know each of you want to also thank them.
Let’s take a moment and give our families a well-deserved round of applause from the members.
Inauguration Day is always a day to celebrate.
Ninety-nine men and women took the oath of office and became state representatives, continuing a tradition that goes back to the founding of Wisconsin. Each of us serves as the voice of 60,000 people. While we are each elected with a party label, more importantly, each of us has a common goal of doing our very best for Wisconsin. This has always been the case in this chamber, and God willing, it always will be.
Before we begin the new session, it’s important to look back and remember the leaders who have helped shape the significant reforms in our state.
Several former Assembly Speakers have joined us today. Please hold your applause until I introduce them all. Jeff Fitzgerald served as Speaker from 2011-2012; Mike Huebsch served as Speaker from 2007-2008; John Gard served as Speaker from 2003-2007; and Ben Brancel served as Speaker in 1997.
Please join me in a round of applause to show our appreciation for their service.
Former Speakers Jensen, Loftus, Froehlich, Kunicki, and Sheridan were also invited but could not attend and send their best wishes and congratulations as we begin our new session.
This past year we also lost one of our former speakers, Justice David Prosser, who served as speaker from 1995-1996. David was creative, smart, tenacious, and caring and will be missed by those who were privileged to call him a friend and colleague. Will you all rise for a moment of silence so we can honor his memory and service to Wisconsin? Thank you.
We are so blessed to be able to serve in this magnificent building. I think it’s important to have a greater appreciation of the building itself and the messages the architects were conveying to future occupants.
Over a century ago, our predecessors began the task of planning, financing, and constructing this 3rd state Capitol building. The Civil War was still fresh in their minds. If you take some time to wander around this building, you will find plenty of evidence of their respect for the soldiers who fought and saved the Union.
What we now call the GAR room on the fourth floor in the North Wing is named after the Grand Army of the Republic, of which more than 91 thousand soldiers from Wisconsin fought, and over 12 thousand died. GAR was originally used by veterans to hold ceremonies to honor those who were lost in the Civil War.
Over my shoulder is a replica of Old Abe, the mascot of the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the Civil War. Old Abe watches over our debates to ensure that we never forget that many have fought and died to protect our constitutional republic.
The historical nature of today and the jobs that we hold temporarily cannot be taken lightly.
Three years into statehood, Wisconsin adopted the official state motto, "Forward." The Wisconsin Historical Society says the motto reflects the state’s continuous drive to be a national leader.
The citizens of Wisconsin have given us the privilege of being their advocates in state government.
As state representatives, we have been afforded an amazing responsibility.
In this great historical race, we have been passed the baton to be the leaders of today’s Wisconsin.
It’s our time, it is your time, to serve and guide the course of our state’s future until you pass the baton to the next leader.
Our state constitution begins with the following preamble:
“We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings, form a more perfect government, ensure domestic tranquility and promote the general welfare, do establish this constitution.”
Before each inauguration day, I re-read the Wisconsin State Constitution. It’s only 17 pages long and takes about an hour to read. I would encourage all of you to do it sometime in the near future.
Can you guess which branch of government is mentioned first in the state Constitution? You guessed right, the branch closest to the people. The Legislature.
While the constitution specifically provides guidance for the powers of each branch of government, it spends significantly more time on the legislative branch.
The constitution addresses the governor in 10 sections and the attorney general, secretary of state and state treasurer in 1 section each…but the legislature is addressed in 34 sections.
Our state’s founders clearly wanted to give more distinct powers to the branch closest to the people.
Every one of us comes from a different part of the state and comes with our own set of principles and beliefs but we all share the same constitution, and all recited the same oath moments ago as we swore to defend and protect it.
We must never forget that we are not here to satisfy our personal beliefs or passions; we are here to represent our constituents and their wishes, not simply our own.
So, what will you do with this great responsibility? How will you help carry the mantle of success that this chamber has been known for?
2024 was a challenging year for our country and our state. First, we must all acknowledge that our nation is deeply divided. Ideology for some has become their religion and far too many believe those who don’t agree with them are either evil, stupid, or both.
The idea that some viewpoints in this chamber or on campus or in our classrooms are not worthy of discussion and debate is just plain wrong. A study recently said it was significantly more likely for someone to marry a person of a different race or religion than a different political persuasion. In fact, only 4% of Americans marry someone who supports a different political party. That makes group-think around the kitchen table a danger that we must not ignore.
In this chamber, we will have vigorous debates. We obviously have conflicting ideas, but most importantly, we can demonstrate how listening to those who you disagree with is an inherent part of our democracy.
Finding common ground is a part of our DNA, and I promise you it will continue over the next two years.
While we will always seek to find common ground, rest assured we will never sacrifice our principles. Let me take just a moment to offer a few predictions for the next two years.
One - We will always remember that it’s the hard-working taxpayers who need relief from the crushing burden of rising prices, increasing rents and local governments who refuse to cut spending and just keep increasing local taxes. Therefore, we will pass a tax cut focused on those who pay taxes in Wisconsin. The money that we set aside for that tax cut WILL NOT be spent by this legislature on other wants no matter how many special interests or tax and spend politicians apply pressure.
Two - We will not create new programs to grow the size of government because we know government control over our lives doesn’t make us more prosperous. Government spending doesn’t grow the economy, and socialism doesn’t make us more free.
Three - We will demand accountability and measurable results for any increase in funding we provide. This majority knows every dollar spent by government had to come from the hard work of a taxpayer. They expect us to use every single dollar for a laudable purpose, not just another hair-brained idea.
Four - It seems some parts of state government have stopped innovating and just accepted the status quo as the best we can do. That must change.
Our new Assembly Committee on Government Operations, Accountability, and Transparency will lead the way and I encourage every legislator to be part of these important innovations. And, as always, the majority is open to working with anyone who brings good ideas to the table in a sense of goodwill.
Rather than doing everything the way that we have for the past 20 or 30 years, and just adding more bureaucracy to the top of the pile, I would like us to focus on innovating and have the Assembly be a place where new ideas thrive as we meet the needs of the people of Wisconsin.
And finally like every session while I’ve been speaker, we’ve invited the minority party leaders to sit down with us to draft a Memorandum of Understanding, to serve as a bipartisan guide for the legislative session as we set a path forward for Wisconsin.
Over the course of the past 100 years, the people who sat in this chamber have made things happen.
Today, we celebrate the Badger State. Not as a Republican or a Democrat, but as Wisconsinites.
You are the new members of the 107th Wisconsin State Assembly and it’s time to get things done, during divided government through real leadership.
Let’s get to work.
God bless you and God Bless the state of Wisconsin.”
_____________
Election of Speaker Pro Tempore
Representative Mursau nominated Representative Kevin Petersen for the position of Speaker Pro Tempore of the Assembly for the One-Hundred and Seventh Regular Session of the Legislature.
There being no further nominations, the speaker declared nominations closed.
Representative August asked unanimous consent that a unanimous ballot be cast with all members of the Assembly recorded as voting for Representative Kevin Petersen for Speaker Pro Tempore of the Assembly. Granted.
For Representative Kevin Petersen – Representatives Allen, Anderson, Andraca, Armstrong, Arney, August, Bare, Behnke, Billings, Born, Brill, Brooks, Brown, Callahan, Clancy, Cruz, Dallman, DeSanto, DeSmidt, Dittrich, Donovan, Doyle, Duchow, Emerson, Fitzgerald, Franklin, Goeben, Goodwin, Green, Gundrum, Gustafson, Haywood, Hong, Hurd, Hysell, B. Jacobson, J. Jacobson, Joers, Johnson, Kaufert, Kitchens, Knodl, Kreibich, Krug, Kurtz, Madison, Maxey, Mayadev, McCarville, McGuire, Melotik, Miresse, Moore Omokunde, Moses, Murphy, Mursau, Nedweski, Neubauer, Neylon, Novak, O'Connor, Ortiz-Velez, Palmeri, Penterman, Petersen, Phelps, Piwowarczyk, Prado, Pronschinske, Rivera-Wagner, Rodriguez, Roe, Sheehan, Sinicki, Snodgrass, Snyder, Sortwell, Spaude, Spiros, Steffen, Stroud, Stubbs, Subeck, Summerfield, Swearingen, Taylor, Tenorio, Tittl, Tranel, Tucker, Tusler, Udell, VanderMeer, Vining, Wichgers, Wittke, Zimmerman, and Speaker Vos - 98.
Noes - None.
Absent or not voting - Representative Kirsch - 1.
Representative Kevin Petersen was elected Speaker Pro Tempore of the Assembly for the One-Hundred and Seventh Regular Session of the Legislature.
The oath of office was administered by Speaker Vos.
_____________
Election of Chief Clerk
Representative Wittke nominated Edward A. Blazel as Chief Clerk of the Assembly for the One-Hundred and Seventh Regular Session of the Legislature.
Representative Subeck seconded the nomination of Edward A. Blazel for the position of Chief Clerk of the Assembly for the One-Hundred and Seventh Regular Session of the Legislature.
There being no further nominations, the speaker declared nominations closed.
Representative August asked unanimous consent that a unanimous ballot be cast with all members of the Assembly recorded as voting for Edward A. Blazel for the position of Chief Clerk of the Assembly. Granted.
For Edward A. Blazel – Representatives Allen, Anderson, Andraca, Armstrong, Arney, August, Bare, Behnke, Billings, Born, Brill, Brooks, Brown, Callahan, Clancy, Cruz, Dallman, DeSanto, DeSmidt, Dittrich, Donovan, Doyle, Duchow, Emerson, Fitzgerald, Franklin, Goeben, Goodwin, Green, Gundrum, Gustafson, Haywood, Hong, Hurd, Hysell, B. Jacobson, J. Jacobson, Joers, Johnson, Kaufert, Kitchens, Knodl, Kreibich, Krug, Kurtz, Madison, Maxey, Mayadev, McCarville, McGuire, Melotik, Miresse, Moore Omokunde, Moses, Murphy, Mursau, Nedweski, Neubauer, Neylon, Novak, O'Connor, Ortiz-Velez, Palmeri, Penterman, Petersen, Phelps, Piwowarczyk, Prado, Pronschinske, Rivera-Wagner, Rodriguez, Roe, Sheehan, Sinicki, Snodgrass, Snyder, Sortwell, Spaude, Spiros, Steffen, Stroud, Stubbs, Subeck, Summerfield, Swearingen, Taylor, Tenorio, Tittl, Tranel, Tucker, Tusler, Udell, VanderMeer, Vining, Wichgers, Wittke, Zimmerman, and Speaker Vos - 98.
Noes - None.
Absent or not voting - Representative Kirsch - 1.
Edward A. Blazel was elected Chief Clerk of the Assembly for the One-Hundred and Seventh Regular Session of the Legislature.
The oath of office was administered by Speaker Vos.
_____________
Election of Sergeant at Arms
Representative Hurd nominated Anne Tonnon Byers for the position of Sergeant at Arms of the Assembly for the One-Hundred and Seventh Regular Session of the Legislature.
Representative Joers seconded the nomination of Anne Tonnon Byers for the position of Sergeant at Arms of the Assembly for the One-Hundred and Seventh Regular Session of the Legislature.
There being no further nominations, the speaker declared nominations closed.
Representative August asked unanimous consent that a unanimous ballot be cast with all members of the Assembly recorded as voting for Anne Tonnon Byers as Sergeant at Arms of the Assembly. Granted.
_Hlk187138389For Anne Tonnon Byers – Representatives Allen, Anderson, Andraca, Armstrong, Arney, August, Bare, Behnke, Billings, Born, Brill, Brooks, Brown, Callahan, Clancy, Cruz, Dallman, DeSanto, DeSmidt, Dittrich, Donovan, Doyle, Duchow, Emerson, Fitzgerald, Franklin, Goeben, Goodwin, Green, Gundrum, Gustafson, Haywood, Hong, Hurd, Hysell, B. Jacobson, J. Jacobson, Joers, Johnson, Kaufert, Kitchens, Knodl, Kreibich, Krug, Kurtz, Madison, Maxey, Mayadev, McCarville, McGuire, Melotik, Miresse, Moore Omokunde, Moses, Murphy, Mursau, Nedweski, Neubauer, Neylon, Novak, O'Connor, Ortiz-Velez, Palmeri, Penterman, Petersen, Phelps, Piwowarczyk, Prado, Pronschinske, Rivera-Wagner, Rodriguez, Roe, Sheehan, Sinicki, Snodgrass, Snyder, Sortwell, Spaude, Spiros, Steffen, Stroud, Stubbs, Subeck, Summerfield, Swearingen, Taylor, Tenorio, Tittl, Tranel, Tucker, Tusler, Udell, VanderMeer, Vining, Wichgers, Wittke, Zimmerman, and Speaker Vos - 98. Noes - None.
Anne Tonnon Byers was elected Sergeant at Arms of the Assembly for the One-Hundred and Seventh Regular Session of the Legislature.
