Ninety−Ninth Regular Session
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Ninety−Ninth Regular Session 2:00 P.M. MONDAY, January 5, 2009 The Senate met. The Senate remained standing and Senator Carpenter led the Senate in the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United The Senate was called to order by Senator Risser. States of America. The Senate Stood for the prayer which was offered by United Methodist Pastor and former State Representative State of Wisconsin Harvey Stower, who is also currently in his sixth term as the Government Accountability Board mayor of Amery. He spent eight years in the Wisconsin State December 4, 2008 Legislature representing the 28th Assembly District between 1982 and 1992. In addition, he serves on the Wisconsin Land The Honorable, The Senate: & Water Conservation Board, and the Boards of the Wisconsin I am pleased to provide you with a copy of the official Federation of Cooperatives, the Western Wisconsin canvass of the November 4, 2008 General Election vote for Intergovernmental Collaborative, Wisconsin Church and state senator along with the determination by the designee of the Society−the United Methodist Church, and Inter−County Chairperson of the Government Accountability Board of the Cooperative Publishing Association. Mr. Stower has also been winners. the recipient of the 2001 Award for Excellence from the Robert Gard Wisconsin Idea Foundation, and numerous awards for his With this letter, I am delivering the Certificates of Election work on issues regarding human services, environmental for the winners to you for distribution. protections, the arts, and veterans programs. If the Government Accountability Board can provide you “Although you are known by many names by many people, with further information or assistance, please contact our may your spirit; the spirit of love, justice, and mercy be present office. here today and throughout this senate session. We gather with Sincerely, a cloud of witnesses, the memory of so many who have made KEVIN J. KENNEDY this very room their workplace for the people of Wisconsin. Director and General Counsel Knowles, Nelson, Hollander, Krueger, Plewa and more; Statement of Canvass who could combine principle with civility. We ask your for blessing upon all the senators here, all have taken noble risks to State Senator be on a ballot. And remind them daily, that this fine addiction GENERAL ELECTION, November 4, 2008 that we have of politics and that we enjoy is a hard won legacy I, William Eich, designee of the Chairperson of the for many of those in our history that have fought for our Government Accountability Board, certify that the attached freedom and our human rights. That is a legacy we need to be tabular statements, as compiled from the certified returns made reminded of. to the Government Accountability Board by the county clerks of the several counties of the state, contain a correct abstract of Remind us, that it is not that we play for keeps, but for being the total number of votes given, including a recount in the 18th our brothers and sisters keeper. That we are here to serve and State Senate District, for the election of candidates for State not to be served, and that we are judged finally by how we treat Senator, at a General Election held in the several towns, wards, the least of the brothers and sisters among us. We give thanks villages and election districts in said counties on the Fourth day for this most beautiful office building in the state, and for all of November, 2008. those who make up the community of the capitol; for staffers I DO, THEREFORE, DETERMINE AND CERTIFY that and police, custodians, the media, press, pages, constituents, the following candidates, having each received the greatest and lobbyists all. We give you thanks. number of votes in their respective senatorial districts, are duly And finally, bless our families and loved ones that put up elected State Senator: with the political life and grant us grace to tell them often that Senate District Elected we love them. Amen.” 2nd District Robert L. Cowles The Colors were presented by the VFW Day Post 7591 4th District Lena C. Taylor Color Guard Unit of Madison, WI. 6th District Spencer Coggs 8th District Alberta Darling The National Anthem was performed by the Trumpet 10th District Sheila Harsdorf Ensemble from Antigo High School in the 12th Senate District, 12th District Jim Holperin directed by Jeff Dewey. 14th District Luther S. Olsen 1 JOURNAL OF THE SENATE [January 5, 2009] 16th District Mark Miller Senator Cowles is also known as a strong defender of our 18th District Randy Hopper environment. Balancing sound environmental protection with 20th District Glenn Grothman the need to create and maintain quality jobs in our state, the 22nd District Robert W. Wirch Senator has guided responsible environmental and business 24th District Julie M. Lassa policy for Wisconsin. Rob is particularly proud of his work with 26th District Fred A. Risser a bipartisan group of legislators to ensure passage of the Great 28th District Mary Lazich Lakes Compact in the last session, as well as his work on a comprehensive energy efficiency and renewable energy bill 30th District Dave Hansen that was designed to provide long−term economic and 32nd District Dan Kapanke environmental benefits to the state.” Done in the City of Madison, this 1st day of December, 2008. Senator Decker Introduced Senator Taylor “The Senator from the 4th is entering her second term in the WILLIAM EICH State Senate. She has come to our house after serving a term in Designee of the Chairperson the Assembly. Government Accountability Board The 4th District stretches from Milwaukee’s Riverwest community to the Northwest corner of the city and also includes wards in Glendale and Wauwatosa. This diverse and dynamic Remarks of Majority Leader Decker district is an invigorated, redeveloping and integrating “Welcome to the opening of the 99th session of the community and includes some the great sections of old Wisconsin State Senate. Milwaukee, like the Rufus King Neighborhood, where this Each session of the Wisconsin State Legislature brings new Senator hails from. faces and over time, we have seen a long cast of characters. Her district has elected to return a leader in the matters of And we are lucky enough to have two real characters from justice. This senator serves in distinction for her work on the our past here today. Please welcome Judge Lynn Adelman and justice system and the rights of all people. She is a passionate Pastor and former Representative Harvey Stower. voice for the people of her district and her community. Our state is a better place thanks to their service and we are Senator Taylor is joined by her son Isaiah, and her parents, honored to have them here today. Wilbert and Lena J Taylor. Please stand and be recognized. In the last election, Wisconsin voters embraced change and Ladies and gentlemen, Senator Lena C Taylor.” history when they supported a charismatic man whose father was from Kenya, his mother was from Kansas and he was raised Senator Decker Introduced Senator Coggs by his grandparents in Hawaii. That man is President−elect “The Senator from the 6th is beginning his 3rd term in the Barack Obama. state Senate and his 26th year of service as a Wisconsin The voters said they want change. They want a new Legislator. He has previously served as a City of Milwaukee direction to deal with the problems we face today. Health Inspector and Chief Steward of AFSCME Local 1091. We need to think. We need to be creative. We need to He is best known for his work on health care issues through change. enactment of his lead poisoning prevention programs that have That is how we will move Wisconsin forward. saved the lives of countless Wisconsin children, and as So welcome to a new year and a new session.” Chairman of the Board of Milwaukee Health Services, Incorporated. He is also known for his work on criminal justice issues through his service as Chairman of the Governor’s IN THE CHAIR Commission on Reducing Racial Disparities in Wisconsin’s Criminal Justice System. Pursuant to Senate Rule 2 (1), Senate President Pro He is a lifelong resident of the city of Milwaukee, having Tempore Carpenter in the chair. earned degrees from Riverside University High School, Milwaukee Area Technical College, and the University of With unanimous consent, the party leaders introduced their Wisconsin − Milwaukee. He and his wife Gershia are the proud respective members as they came before the bar to be sworn in. parents of two children, Kijana Coggs and Mariama Coggs−Linares. Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Cowles Joining Senator Coggs today is his wife Gershia. Please stand and be recognized. “Senator Cowles was first elected to the State Senate in an April, 1987 special election and has been re−elected every four Ladies and Gentlemen, Senator Spencer Coggs.” years since. Prior to his election to the Senate, Rob served in the State Assembly from 1983−1987. Senator Fitzgerald Introduced Senator Darling Senator Cowles has gained a reputation for being a vigilant “Senator Alberta Darling was elected to the State Senate in watchdog against higher state spending. Rob has been an 1992 after previously serving in the State Assembly. The 8th outspoken opponent of irresponsible state budgeting that has Senate District includes portions of Milwaukee, Waukesha, led to the poor fiscal conditions in which we now find our state. Washington and Ozaukee Counties. As a past and current member of the Joint Legislative Audit A former teacher, Senator Darling entered public service Committee, Senator Cowles routinely request audits on state with a commitment to protecting, educating and improving the programs in an effort to find efficiencies and save taxpayer lives of children.