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Wisconsin State Senate
| Wisconsin State Senate | |
 | |
| General Information | |
| Type: | Upper house |
| Term limits: | None |
| 2012 session start: | January 10, 2012 |
| Website: | Official Senate Page |
| Leadership | |
| Senate President: | Michael Ellis, (R) |
| Majority Leader: | Scott Fitzgerald, (R) |
| Minority leader: | Mark Miller, (D) |
| Structure | |
| Members: | 33 |
| Democratic Party (16) Republican Party (16) | |
| Length of term: | 4 years |
| Authority: | Art IV, Sec 5, Wisconsin Constitution |
| Salary: | $49,943/year + per diem |
| Elections | |
| Last Election: | November 2, 2010 (17 seats) |
| Next election: | November 6, 2012 (16 seats) |
| Redistricting: | Wisconsin Legislature has control |
Meeting place: | |
Senators are elected for four-year terms with no term limits. Half of the senate is up for election every two years. Each member represents an average of 172,333 residents, as of the 2010 Census.[1] After the 2000 Census, each member represented 162,536 residents.[2] In the 2009-2010 session, senators made $49,943. [3] That was up from $47,413 in the 2007-08 session. [4]
Sessions
Article IV of the Wisconsin Constitution contains provisions related to the meeting of the Wisconsin State Legislature, of which the Senate is a part. Section 11 of Article IV states that the times for regular sessions are to be provided by law. Section 11 also states that the Governor of Wisconsin has the power to call the Legislature into special session.
2012
- See also: Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions
In 2012, the Senate will be in session from January 10 through a date to be determined by the Legislature.
Major issues
With potential recalls of Governor Scott Walker (R), Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch (R) and four Republican state senators, debate on major legislation is expected to be limited.[5] Republican leaders say they are focused on passing bills on only four main issues - clearing the way for on ore mine in northern Wisconsin, easing laws regarding development on wetlands, environmental regulation, and creating a venture capital fund to help start-up businesses.[6]
2011
- See also: Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions
In 2011, the Senate adjourned a special session at the request of Governor Scott Walker on January 4, 2011. The special session was called to consider legislation regarding tax credits, tort law, medical savings accounts, other legislation relating to taxation, and the budget repair bill. The legislature's special session will be ongoing. [7] The regular session began on January 11. An extraordinary session was called by the Legislature from June 13-30, with another extraordinary session scheduled for July 19-29. The next scheduled floor period is September 13, 2011. Though the January special session is ongoing, special session bills may be taken up in the interim. [8]
2010
- See also: Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions
In 2010, the Senate convened its legislative session on January 19, and it ended its last scheduled floor-period on April 22. Some special sessions went until June 19, 2010.[9][10]
In the 2009-2010 session:
- 708 bills were introduced.
- 246 bills were enacted into law.
- 3 enacted laws were partially vetoed by the Governor of Wisconsin (then Gov. James Doyle)
- 3 enacted laws were vetoed in full.
- 459 bills failed (26 because they failed concurrence)[11]
Elections
2012
- See also: Wisconsin State Senate elections, 2012
Elections for the office of Wisconsin State Senate will be held in Wisconsin on November 6, 2012. A total of 16 seats will be up for election.
The signature filing deadline is July 10, 2012.
Nine of the 16 senators up for election faced recall elections.
Robert Cowles
Alberta Darling
Sheila Harsdorf
Dave Hansen
Jim Holperin
Randy Hopper
Dan Kapanke
Luther Olsen
Robert Wirch
Dan Kapanke and Randy Hopper were removed by voters.
The seven senators who will face re-election in 2012 but did not face recall in 2011 are:
2010
- See also: Wisconsin State Senate elections, 2010
Elections for the office of Wisconsin's State Senate were held in Wisconsin on November 2, 2010.
The signature-filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in these elections was July 13, 2010. The primary election day was September 14, 2010.
In 2010, the candidates for state senate raised a total of $4,251,736 in campaign contributions. The top 10 donors were: [12]
| Donor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Public Fund | $56,785 |
| Galloway, Pamela G | $45,131 |
| Elmer, Monk | $34,248 |
| Richard, Rick | $30,675 |
| Hutchison, David E | $17,699 |
| Cmte to Elect a Republican Senate | $17,226 |
| Northwestern Mutual Life | $16,000 |
| State Senate Democratic Cmte of Wisconsin | $15,767 |
| Deutsch, Dane A | $11,657 |
| United Transportation Union | $11,000 |
Qualifications
Section 6 of Article 4 of the Wisconsin Constitution states, "No person shall be eligible to the legislature who shall not have resided one year within the state, and be a qualified elector in the district which he may be chosen to represent."
Vacancies
| How Vacancies are filled in State Legislatures |
 |
In the event of a vacancy in the Senate, the Governor must call for a special election when allowed by law[13]. Special elections to fill legislative vacancies cannot be held after February 1st preceding a spring election or September 1st preceding a fall election[14]. If the vacancy happens before May 15th, the Governor must fill the vacancy as soon as possible[15].
Senators
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Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
As of 2010, members of the Wisconsin Senate are paid $49,943/year. Legislators receive a maximum of $88/day per diem, set by the compensation commission. Based on the maximum, the leadership of each house determines what amount to authorize for each session.[16]
The $49,943/year that Wisconsin senators are paid as of 2010 is an increase over the $47,413 were paid during legislative sessions in 2007. Per diem is the same.[17]
When sworn in
Wisconsin legislators assume office the first Monday in January following the election.
Partisan composition
- See also: Partisan composition of state senates
| Party | As of May 2012 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 16 | |
| Republican Party | 16 | |
| Vacancy | 1 | |
| Total | 33 | |
Historical
| Wisconsin State Senate[18] |
|---|
| Year | Democrats | Republicans |
|---|---|---|
| August 2011 | 16 | 17 |
| November 2010 | 18 | 15 |
| November 2008 | 18 | 15 |
| November 2006 | 14 | 19 |
| November 2004 | 15 | 18 |
| November 2002 | 18 | 15 |
| November 2000 | 17 | 16 |
| November 1998** | 16 | 17 |
| November 1996** | 17 | 16 |
| November 1994** | 17 | 16 |
| November 1992** | 19 | 14 |
| November 1990** | 20 | 13 |
| **In the 1993, 1995, and 1997 Legislatures, majority control of the senate shifted during the session. On 4/20/93, vacancies were filled resulting in a total of 16 Democrats and 17 Republicans; on 6/16/96, there were 17 Democrats and 16 Republicans; and on 4/19/98, there were 16 Democrats and 17 Republicans. | ||
Leadership
The Senate, by roll call vote, elects a member to serve as President of the Senate and one to serve as President pro tempore. They serve for the duration of the biennial session.[19][20]
Current leadership
List of current members
Senate committees
The Wisconsin State Senate as of the 2011-2012 state legislative session has the following 17 standing committees:
- Agriculture, Forestry, and Higher Education
- Economic Development and Veterans and Military Affairs
- Education
- Energy, Biotechnology, and Consumer Protection
- Finance
- Financial Institutions and Rural Issues
- Health
- Insurance and Housing
- Judiciary, Utilities, Commerce and Government Operations
- Labor, Public Safety, and Urban Affairs
- Natural Resources and Environment
- Public Health, Human Services, and Revenue
- Review of Administrative Rules
- Senate Organization
- State and Federal Relations and Information Technology
- Transportation and Elections
- Workforce Development, Small Business, and Tourism
Decommissioned committees
- Children and Families and Workforce Development Committee, Wisconsin Senate
- Commerce, Utilities, Energy, and Rail Committee, Wisconsin Senate
- Economic Development Committee, Wisconsin Senate
- Environment Committee, Wisconsin Senate
- Ethics Reform and Government Operations Committee, Wisconsin Senate
- Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief, and Revenue Committee, Wisconsin Senate
- Judiciary, Corrections, Insurance, Campaign Finance Reform, and Housing Committee, Wisconsin Senate
- Labor, Elections and Urban Affairs Committee, Wisconsin Senate
- Public Health, Senior Issues, Long-Term Care, and Job Creation Committee, Wisconsin Senate
- Rural Issues, Biofuels, and Information Technology Committee, Wisconsin Senate
- Small Business, Emergency Preparedness, Technical Colleges, and Consumer Protection Committee, Wisconsin Senate
- Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources Committee, Wisconsin Senate
- Veterans and Military Affairs, Biotechnology, and Financial Institutions Committee, Wisconsin Senate
External links
References
- ↑ Population in 2010 of the American states
- ↑ Population in 2000 of the American states
- ↑ Wisconsin Blue Book 2009-10, "Wisconsin Legislators"
- ↑ Wisconsin Blue Book 2007-08, "Wisconsin Legislators"
- ↑ Governor Journal, "Recalls Make for Quiet Session," January 16, 2012
- ↑ Appleton Post Crescent, "Wisconsin legislative agenda influenced by negative effects of recalls," January 16, 2012
- ↑ Wisconsin.gov, State of Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau, accessed 7 March 2011
- ↑ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau, Wisconsin Legislative Spotlight, accessed July 1, 2011
- ↑ 2010 session dates for Wisconsin legislature
- ↑ Explanation of Wisconsin legislative floor-periods
- ↑ Session statistics of the 2009-2010 session of the Wisconsin State Senate
- ↑ Follow the Money: "Wisconsin Senate 2010 Campaign Contributions"
- ↑ Wisconsin Legislature "Wisconsin Election Law"(Referenced Statute 17.19 (1), Wisconsin Statutes)
- ↑ Wisconsin Legislature "Wisconsin Election Law"(Referenced Statute 8.50, Wisconsin Statutes)
- ↑ Wisconsin Legislature "Wisconsin Election Law"(Referenced Statute 8.50(4)-(d), Wisconsin Statutes)
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2010 Legislator Compensation Data"
- ↑ Empire Center, "Legislative Salaries Per State as of 2007"
- ↑ Wisconsin Blue Book "2011"
- ↑ Wisconsin State Senate Rules
- ↑ 2009-2010 Wisconsin State Senate Officers
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