Last session I began the year by reminding this body not only of all that we have been able to accomplish, but how much we have achieved with a spirit of bipartisanship and cooperation.
Now more than ever, we must continue to work in a bipartisan fashion to address the concerns of Wisconsin residents. We’ve demonstrated this ability before on issues like the Milwaukee Arena and the HOPE legislation to address the Opioid Crisis – we must continue to work on behalf of our constituents who sent us here.
Once again, I call on all of my colleagues gathered here today to enter into this legislative session with that renewed spirit of cooperation.
Too often, our Legislature is characterized by the division and debate within this hall. Today, let us be united by our shared vision of making Wisconsin a better place to work, live, and raise a family. With this, I welcome all of you – new members and those returning – to the 104th Session of the Wisconsin State Senate.”
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With unanimous consent, Senator Shilling addressed the members from the rostrum.
Remarks of Minority Leader Shilling
“Mr. President, friends and colleagues. I am honored to join you here today as we begin a new legislative session and address the challenges facing our state.
I would like to welcome our new and returning members as well as their families. I especially want to recognize my husband Chris and our two boys Nathan and Zachary who are watching from home today. Thank you for your unconditional love, support and encouragement.
I also want to welcome everyone watching from home on WisconsinEye as well as our guests here in the Senate chamber.
Today marks the start of a new session, with new Representatives, new Senators, a new State Treasure, a new Attorney General, a new Lt. Governor and a new Governor. We have been given a clean slate and the opportunity to chart a new course for our state.
We all know that Wisconsin is a unique, vibrant and hardworking state full of amazing people and unparalleled potential, and it is time that we come together and restore the integrity of this institution. We know what leadership looks like and now we need to practice it – with civility, respect, character, and patience.
My Senate Democratic colleagues and I are committed to working with Gov. Tony Evers and focusing on the important issues at hand. We will deliver on Gov. Evers’ plan to improve health care, strengthen schools, fix our roads and invest in pro-growth policies to build up the middle class.
We recognize that these aren’t Democratic or Republican issues. They’re Wisconsin issues and we must find ways to work together on these key priorities. These are complex, challenging issues, and we must commit to working through the messiness.
We also recognize that our government has a responsibility to strengthen communities and private enterprise by maintaining a strong public infrastructure. From repairing aging roads and bridges to encouraging broadband access in urban and rural areas, we need to ensure that our infrastructure is an asset, not a liability, to businesses growth and expansion.
Each of the members in this chamber represents a unique district and geographic area of our state, but at the end of the day, we are all co-workers united in our responsibility to serve our communities and do what’s best for the state of Wisconsin.
Rather than focusing on divide and conquer tactics, I hope that we will seize this opportunity to set a new tone and find commonsense solutions to the challenges we face.
As the Senate Democratic Leader, I look forward to working with, my legislative colleagues, community leaders and local advocates to strengthen relationships and move Wisconsin forward. By working together, I know that we can provide greater economic opportunity, prosperity and freedom for all to enjoy.
Thank you.”
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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 2019−2020 biennial session period.
Introduction.
Ayes: 10 − Senator Roth, Representative Vos, Senators Fitzgerald, Feyen, Shilling and Bewley, Representatives Steineke, Felzkowski, Hintz and Hesselbein.
Noes: 0 − None.
ROGER ROTH
Senate Chairperson
hist96940Considered as privileged and taken up. Relating to: the session schedule for the 2019-2020 biennial session period.
By the joint committee on Legislative Organization.
hist96944The question was: Adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 1? The ayes and noes were required and the vote was: ayes, 27; noes, 5; absent or not voting, 1; as follows:
Ayes - Senators Bernier, Bewley, Cowles, Craig, Darling, Erpenbach, Feyen, Fitzgerald, Jacque, Johnson, Kapenga, Larson, LeMahieu, Marklein, Miller, Nass, Olsen, Petrowski, Ringhand, Roth, Schachtner, Shilling, Smith, Stroebel, Testin, Tiffany and Wanggaard - 27.
Noes - Senators Carpenter, Hansen, Risser, L. Taylor and Wirch - 5.
Absent or not voting - Senator Kooyenga - 1.
Adopted.
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 Bernier, with unanimous consent, introduced her guests attending the 2019 inaugural; Eric Bernier, Isla Bernier, Kylie Bernier, Jeannie Webb, April Jansky, Conner Jansky and Eastyn Jansky.
Senator Bewley, with unanimous consent, introduced her guests attending the 2019 inaugural; her husband, David Saetre, and friends Lois Albrecht, Nan Fey, Susan Larsen, and Barbara McCann.
Senator Erpenbach, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of his parents Bill and Liz Erpenbach.
Senator Jacque, with unanimous consent, introduced his guests attending the 2019 inaugural; his parents, Jim & Mary Jo Jacque of Green Bay, WI; George & Angel Mueller of Mishicot, WI; Ruth Elmer of Combined Locks, WI; Ann Ostrowski of De Pere, WI.
Senator Jacque, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in memory of Wendy Li Lux of Washington Island, WI, who passed away on January 2, 2019 at the age of 17 after a courageous battle against cancer.
Senator Kapenga, with unanimous consent, introduced his guests attending the 2019 inaugural; his wife Cari Kapenga and his mother in law Cheryl Meenk-Maglio.
Senator Marklein, with unanimous consent, introduced his guests attending the 2019 inaugural; Peggy Marklein, Jeanne Bohl, Nicole Marklein Bacher and Bill Marklein.
Senator Nass, with unanimous consent, introduced his guests attending the 2019 inaugural; Sheila Reiff – Clerk of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Ashleigh Nordin, Steve Nordin, Tom Wales, Ken Babcock, Ray Baur, Elizabeth Oberle, Brian Oberle, Becky Merwin, Denise Schultz and Carl Bergersen.
Senator Smith, with unanimous consent, introduced his guests attending the 2019 inaugural; Sue Smith, Sarah Smith, Ann and Justin Francis, Bill and Amy Ellingson, Tammy Tellefson, Naomi Silver, Sarah Ferber, Phil Swanhorst and Florian Skwierczynski.
Senator Wanggaard, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of his beautiful wife, Mary Jo Wanggaard. He would also like to adjourn in honor of his wonderful children, Kathleen and John Jensen, and Joshua and Amy Wanggaard, and his adorable granddaughters, Hattie, Elouise and Daphne Wanggaard. He would also like to adjourn in honor of his sister, Gail Wanggaard and Dan Organ.
Senator Wanggaard, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of his parents, the late Dr. Herluf and Hattie Wanggaard.
Senate Sergeant at Arms Ted Blazel, with unanimous consent, asked that Senate adjourn in honor of his wife Hanna and his sons Ben and Will.
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Adjournment
Senator Fitzgerald, with unanimous consent, asked that the 2019 Regular Session of the Senate stand adjourned until Tuesday, January 15, 2019.
Adjourned.
3:07 P.M
