Mark Miller (Wisconsin)

Mark Miller
Wisconsin State Senate District 16
Incumbent
In office
2005 - Present
Term ends
January 2, 2017
Years in position	8
Party	Democratic
Leadership
Senate Majority Leader
July 17, 2012 – 2013
Compensation
Base salary	$49,943/year
Per diem	$88/day
Elections and appointments
Last election	November 6, 2012
First elected	2004
Next election	November 8, 2016
Term limits	N/A
Prior offices
Assembly Member, Wisconsin State Assembly
1999 - 2003
Education
Bachelor's	University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1973
Personal
Birthday	02/01/1943
Place of birth	Boston, MA
Websites
Office website
Campaign website

Mark Miller (b. February 1, 1943) is a Democratic member of the Wisconsin State Senate. He served as Senate Majority Leader from July 17, 2012 to 2013, and as Senate Minority Leader. He has represented the District 16 since 2004 and was a Representative in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1998 to 2004. From 1996 to 2000, he was also on the Board of Supervisors of Dane County for District 24.

Miller's professional experience includes lieutenant colonel in the Wisconsin Air National Guard; officer and manager of Flagship, Incorporated; and real estate property manager.

Miller earned his BS from University of Wisconsin, Madison; graduated from Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development (BUILLD) and graduated from Flemming Fellows Leadership Institute.

Committee assignments

2013-2014

At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Miller served on the following committees:

Wisconsin Committee Assignments, 2013
• Elections and Urban Affairs
• Energy, Consumer Protection, and Government Reform
• Natural Resources
• Joint Legislative Council

2011-2012

At the beginning of the 2011 legislative session, Miller served on the following committees:

Wisconsin Committee Assignments, 2011
• Employment Relations
• Joint Legislative Council
• Legislative Organization
• Senate Organization

2009-2010

At the beginning of the 2009 legislative session, Miller served on the following committees:

Issues

Health care reform and environmental conservation are Sen. Miller's top priorities that he lists on his website. He wants to make health care affordable and accessible. He also wants it to be a requirement for Wisconsin residents. His environmental goals include preventing contaminated drinking water, reducing runoff into Wisconsin rivers and lakes, and making Wisconsin more self-sufficient and less dependent on imported energy.

Sponsored legislation

Legislation sponsored or co-sponsored by Sen. Miller includes:

• A resolution to purchase American products and services with federal economic recovery money
• A bill prohibiting mandatory overtime hours for health care workers
• A bill relating to invasive species and aquatic plants and animals

Legislative walkout

Miller and the 13 other Democratic senators participated in a legislative walkout on February 17, 2011 in opposition to Assembly Bill 11 - a Republican-sponsored bill aimed at limiting collective bargaining rights, compensation and fringe benefits of public employees. The Democratic departure left the Senate one vote shy of a quorum. Reports confirmed the senators fled to a hotel in Rockford, Illinois. State police were dispatched by Governor Scott Walker (R) to retrieve the senators, but were unable to cross state lines. The 14 state senators who left the state are being described as the "Badger 14" or "Fab 14."

On February 22, speaking from the basement of an Illinois hotel, Senate Minority Leader Mark Miller provided the minority response to Gov. Scott Walker, saying, "The governor has the tools at his disposal to put this issue to an end. As soon as he is willing to take a compromise, we will go back to work in an instant." Miller stated that the legislators payed for the trip themselves, and that no taxpayer money was spent.

Walker called on the Democratic senators to return to the state by March 1 in order to vote to restructure the state's debt. If they did not, he stated he may have to start cutting state jobs, saying:

It’s not just a number, it’s not just a budget, it’s ultimately a real person with a real family, so I’m going to push that back as far as I can. We’ve got to have real numbers to balance the budget to avoid layoffs. My hope is those 14 state senators … realize that in the end, it’s much better off to avoid those cuts, it’s much better off to avoid the most dire consequences that will come if we don’t pass this bill.

The Democratic senators said they would not return until the governor was willing to compromise on the budget-repair bill.

Democrats threatened with arrest

Republicans passed a unanimous resolution on March 3 finding the missing legislators in contempt and threatening them with arrest. It gave them until 4 p.m. to return or the sergeant-at-arms was ordered to take "any and all necessary steps, with or without force, and with or without the assistance of law enforcement, by warrant or other legal process, as he may deem necessary in order to bring that senator to the Senate chambers."

The constitutionality of that resolution was unclear, however, as the Wisconsin Constitution only allows for the arrest of legislators while in session if they are suspected of committing a felony, treason, or breach of the peace. Jim Palmer, executive director of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, said the resolution was an "unreasonable abuse of police power."

Sen. Jon Erpenbach provided the Democratic response, stating, "All 14 of us remain in Illinois, very strong in our convictions. Issuing arrest warrants at 4 p.m. isn't going to solve the problem. This is a debate about protection of the middle class in Wisconsin; that is what the Republicans should be focusing on."

The move by Republicans came the day after they issued fines of $100 a day for not showing up at the Capitol, along with taking away parking spaces. The week before Republicans also passed a rule suspending direct-deposit of paychecks. Sen. Erpenbach found a way around this by granting power of attorney to two of his aides, giving them power to, among other things, pick up his paycheck. In the end Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald mailed the check to Erpenbaach.

Meeting/possible compromises

On March 7, Democratic leader Sen. Mark Miller sent a letter to the governor and senate majority leader asking for a meeting near the Wisconsin-Illinois border to restart talks on the collective bargaining issue. Gov. Walker responded at a press conference, calling the letter "ridiculous," and saying that several meetings between the two sides have taken place, but that Miller has stood in the way of a compromise.

Sen. Chris Larson said, "Dems will return when collective bargaining is off the table. That could be soon based on the growing public opposition to the bill and the recall efforts against Republicans."

On March 8, the Governor's office released an email exchange dated March 6 between Eric Schutt, Walker's deputy chief of staff, and Democratic Senators Cullen and Jauch. The exchange discusses possible compromises on the bill, including allowing unions to bargain for wages beyond inflation rates, permitting collective-bargaining on certain economic issues, allowing public workers to collectively bargain workplace safety issues, and limiting collective bargaining agreements to 2 years or less.

Republicans pass bill

2011 Wisconsin Senate Recalls
Senators Facing Recall
Robert Cowles • Alberta Darling • Sheila Harsdorf • Dave Hansen • Jim Holperin • Randy Hopper • Dan Kapanke • Luther Olsen • Robert Wirch
Other Recall Information
Recalls by Year • Recall Law in Wisconsin • Recall laws in other states • Recalls in Wisconsin • 2011 Scott Walker Budget Repair Bill • Protests over Budget Repair Bill • Wisconsin Government Accountability Board • Recall timeline • Election Results

In a surprise maneuver, Senate Republicans on March 9 passed controversial reforms to the collective bargaining rights of public sector workers. In a process that took just over two hours, Republicans passed the bill by a vote of 18-1, with Sen. Dale Schultz (R) casting the only no vote.

Republicans skirted the need for a quorum by removing the sections of the bill that had to do with appropriating funds. With these removed, the bill only needed to be passed by a simple majority -- rather than requiring a quorum of 20 senators. At 4 p.m. on March 9 a conference committee on the budget-repair bill was convened. Two hours later the committee met and advanced the new measure without debate. Immediately following that, the Senate met and passed the new version, also without debate. It was then sent to the Assembly.

The only Democrat present at the meeting, Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca (D), attempted to stop the proceedings, stating that the committee was in violation of the state's open meeting law. According to the law, most public bodies are required to give 24 hours notice before a meeting. The two hours notice that the committee provided led Barca to declare, "Mr. Chairman, this is a violation of law! This is not just a rule — this is the law." Ignoring Barca, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R) ordered the vote taken as shouts of protest rang from the galleries.

The bill was given a stay by Dane County Court Judge Maryann Sumi. On May 26, 2011, Sumi struck down the legislative actions leading to the bill eliminating public employee collective bargaining on the grounds that it violated the state's Open Meetings Law. The state Departments of Justice and Department of Administration appealed the decision to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. On June 14 the Wisconsin Supreme Court overruled the district court decision, stating it "exceeded its jurisdiction, invaded the legislature’s constitutional powers...and erred in enjoining the publication and further implementation of the act."

Recall campaigns

In the wake of events surrounding the bill, both Democratic and Republican senators were targeted by active recall campaigns in 2011. Recall sponsors filed signatures on petitions targeting 6 Republican state senators and 3 Democratic state senators. Challenges were filed in all 9 of those campaigns, and the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board approved the six campaigns against Republicans at meetings on May 23 and May 31, and approved the three campaigns against Democrats on June 8. Democrats held onto the 30th district seat on July 19. Republicans lost two seats in the August 9 recalls, but held onto four. Two incumbent Democrats successfully retained their seats on August 16.

Open records lawsuit

As Senate Minority Leader, Miller approved Senator Jon Erpenbach's use of private law firm Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek instead the Wisconsin Department of Justice for his taxpayer-funded legal defense against a lawsuit from the John K. MacIver Institute, a conservative Wisconsin think tank. On February 9, 2012, The MacIver Institute sued to force Erpenbach to release unredacted copies of all correspondence he had received related to Act 10 (the changes to public employee bargaining laws passed in 2011) from January 1 to March 23, 2011, after Erpenbach had responded to the Institute's initial March 24, 2011, Open Records Law request by releasing thousands of pieces of correspondence with their senders' names and other personal information removed. The MacIver Institute wanted to examine these records to determine whether any state employees violated government policies by sending communications from their government email accounts or on state time. Defending his use of a private law firm, Erpenbach cited disagreements about the case with Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen (R) and claimed that Van Hollen only upholds laws he agrees with, a claim disputed by a DOJ spokesperson. From March through October 31, 2012, the Wisconsin State Senate paid Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek $57,272, in addition to $2,194 paid to University of Wisconsin-Madison professor David Canon for research related to the case. The Senate may also be required to pay the legal expenses of the MacIver Institute if Erpenbach loses. On February 5, 2013, Grant County Circuit Judge Robert Van De Hey ruled that he would examine unredacted copies of the emails to decide if the MacIver Institute should be given access to them.

Elections

2012

Miller won re-election in the 2012 election for the Wisconsin State Senate, District 16 seat. He ran unopposed in the primary election and the general election which was November 6, 2012.

Wisconsin State Senate, District 16, General Election, 2012
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Mark Miller Incumbent	98.7%	72,298
	-	Scattering	1.3%	933
Total Votes				73,231

2011 recall

See also: Recall of Wisconsin State Senators (2011)

As of March 2011, an effort to recall Miller from office is underway.,

2008

On November 4, 2008, Mark Miller won re-election to the Wisconsin State Senate, District 16. He ran unopposed.

Mark Miller raised $67,735 for his campaign.

Wisconsin State Senate, District 16 (2008)
Candidates		Votes
Mark Miller (D)		73,672

Campaign donors

Comprehensive donor information for Miller is available dating back to 1998. Based on available campaign finance records, Miller raised a total of $330,990 during that time period. This information was last updated on June 4, 2013.

Mark Miller's Campaign Contribution History
Year	Office	Result	Contributions
2012	Wisconsin State Senate, District 16		$80,465
2010	Wisconsin State Senate, District 16		$5,952
2008	Wisconsin State Senate, District 16		$67,735
2006	Wisconsin State Senate, District 16		$9,265
2004	Wisconsin State Senate, District 16		$143,851
2002	Wisconsin State Assembly, District 48		$3,800
2000	Wisconsin State Assembly, District 48		$7,806
1998	Wisconsin State Assembly, District 48		$12,116
Grand Total Raised			$330,990

2012

Miller won re-election to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2012. During that election cycle, Miller raised a total of $80,465.

Wisconsin State Senate 2012 election - Campaign Contributions
Top contributors to Mark Miller (Wisconsin)'s campaign in 2012
Goeres, Ted	$1,000
Wahlin, Donald	$1,000
Operating Engineers Local 139	$1,000
Wisconsin State Council Of Carpenters	$1,000
Ironworkers Local 8	$1,000
Total Raised in 2012	$80,465
Source:Follow the Money

2010

Miller was not up for election to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2010. During that election cycle, Miller raised a total of $5,952.

Wisconsin State Senate 2010 election - Campaign Contributions
Top contributors to Mark Miller (Wisconsin)'s campaign in 2010
United Transportation Union	$1,000
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance	$1,000
Centene Corp	$1,000
Pepsico	$300
Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association	$250
Total Raised in 2010	$5,952
Source:Follow the Money

2008

Miller won re-election to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2008. During that election cycle, Miller raised a total of $67,735.

Wisconsin State Senate 2008 election - Campaign Contributions
Top contributors to Mark Miller (Wisconsin)'s campaign in 2008
Traver, Jon	$1,000
Ring, James J	$1,000
Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives	$1,000
Waste Management	$1,000
Burcalow, Larry	$1,000
Total Raised in 2008	$67,735
Source:Follow the Money

2006

Miller was not up for election to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2006. During that election cycle, Miller raised a total of $9,265.

Wisconsin State Senate 2006 election - Campaign Contributions
Top contributors to Mark Miller (Wisconsin)'s campaign in 2006
Wisconsin Dental Association	$1,000
Liberty Mutual Insurance	$1,000
Wisconsin Credit Union League	$1,000
Operating Engineers Local 139	$500
General Casualty	$500
Total Raised in 2006	$9,265
Source:Follow the Money

2004

Miller won election to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2004. During that election cycle, Miller raised a total of $143,851.

Wisconsin State Senate 2004 election - Campaign Contributions
Top contributors to Mark Miller (Wisconsin)'s campaign in 2004
Miller, Mark	$5,160
Traver, Jon	$1,700
South Central Education Association	$1,000
Northern Wisconsin Regional Council of Carpenters	$1,000
Capital Area Uniserv North	$1,000
Total Raised in 2004	$143,851
Source:Follow the Money

2002

Miller won re-election to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2002. During that election cycle, Miller raised a total of $3,800.

Wisconsin State Assembly 2002 election - Campaign Contributions
Top contributors to Mark Miller (Wisconsin)'s campaign in 2002
Veasey, Keiko	$500
Miller, Sterling	$300
Fritz, J R	$300
Veasey, Chance	$250
Miller, Marjorie Leeper	$225
Total Raised in 2002	$3,800
Source:Follow the Money

2000

Miller won re-election to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2000. During that election cycle, Miller raised a total of $7,806.

Wisconsin State Assembly 2000 election - Campaign Contributions
Top contributors to Mark Miller (Wisconsin)'s campaign in 2000
Mcnabb, Brent	$500
Wisconsin Medical Society	$500
Isom, Eileen	$290
Wisconsin Dental Association	$250
Cooperative Outreach for Objective Politics	$250
Total Raised in 2000	$7,806
Source:Follow the Money

1998

Miller won election to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1998. During that election cycle, Miller raised a total of $12,116.

Wisconsin State Assembly 1998 election - Campaign Contributions
Top contributors to Mark Miller (Wisconsin)'s campaign in 1998
Bowles, Dean	$500
Thurmaier, Matthew J	$500
Baldwin, Steve Leeper & Elizabeth	$500
Miller, Sterling & Suzanne	$500
Miller, Mark	$500
Total Raised in 1998	$12,116
Source:Follow the Money

Controversies

Cullen leaves Democratic Caucus

On July 24, 2012, one week after Democrats gained the majority in the state Senate and Miller became Majority Leader, Tim Cullen quit the Democratic caucus because Miller did not give him chairmanship on a committee with clout. Cullen, who Miller had offered chair of the Committee on Small Business Development and Tourism called it "an insult to my district" and said he might leave the party altogether to become an independent.

In a statement, Miller said, “I am disappointed in Senator Cullen and the decision he made today. Senator Cullen turned down the chairmanship of the Committee on Small Business Development and Tourism. He told me that if that was the committee offered to him, he would rather chair no committee at all. It was an important committee as small business is the economic engine for Wisconsin.”

Three days later Cullen rejoined the caucus, receiving the chairmanship of two new committees and a leadership position on two others. Miller said he could have handled the situation better but welcomed Cullen back to the caucus.

Recent news

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This section displays the most recent stories in a Google News search for the term "Mark + Miller + Wisconsin + Senate"

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Mark Miller News Feed

• Ask Chris Matthews - Daily Caller
• Journalist Michael Hastings killed in fiery LA crash - Daily Caller
• Community college professor allegedly tells students: support gay rights or else - Daily Caller
• Blog - Matt K. Lewis - Daily Caller
• Senate bill allows 46 million immigrants by 2033, says CBO - Daily Caller
• Amendments would take food-stamp funding out of farm bill - Daily Caller
• 'Busty Cops 3? nearly killed Bret Michaels [VIDEO - Daily Caller]
• The Penultimate Edition Of The Political Junkie - Wisconsin Public Radio News
• Chris Christie hits Obama and Dems on lack of leadership - Daily Caller
• School district scanned kids' eyes without parents' consent - Daily Caller

Personal

Miller and his wife, Jo, have three children; Chandra, Keiko, and Sterling.

External links

Wikipedia® has an article on:

Mark Miller

Suggest a link

• Miller Campaign website
• Sen. Miller's Wisconsin Legislature website
• Project Vote Smart legislative profile
• Project Vote Smart biographical profile
• Campaign contributions: 2012, 2010, 2008

, 2006, 2004, 2002, 2000, 1998

References

Political offices
Preceded by '	Wisconsin State Senate District 16 2004–present	Succeeded by NA