Wisconsin State Assembly
| Wisconsin State Assembly | |
 | |
| General Information | |
| Type: | Lower house |
| Term limits: | None |
| 2013 session start: | January 10, 2012 |
| Website: | Official House Page |
| Leadership | |
| House Speaker: | Jeff Fitzgerald, (R) |
| Majority Leader: | Scott Suder, (R) |
| Minority leader: | Peter Barca, (D) |
| Structure | |
| Members: | 99 |
| Democratic Party (39) Republican Party (60) Independent (1) | |
| Length of term: | 2 years |
| Authority: | Art IV, Wisconsin Constitution |
| Salary: | $49,943/year + per diem |
| Elections | |
| Last Election: | November 2, 2010 (99 seats) |
| Next election: | November 6, 2012 (99 seats) |
| Redistricting: | Wisconsin Legislature has control |
Meeting place: | |
Contents |
In 2012, the Assembly is in session from January 10 through a date yet to be determined.
Sessions
Article IV of the Wisconsin Constitution contains provisions related to the meeting of the Wisconsin State Legislature, of which the Assembly 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 Assembly is 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 was expected to be limited.[4] Going into the session, Republican leaders said they were 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.[5]
The six recalls dominated the session. Ultimately on June 5, recalls against the Governor, Lt. Governor, and three of the state senators were unsuccessful. The fourth recall, that against Van Wanggaard, went to a recount. Wanggaard was defeated, giving Democrats control of the Senate.
2011
- See also: Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions
In 2011, the Assembly convened 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.[6] The regular session began on January 11. Two extraordinary sessions were called by the Legislature in 2011. The first was held from June 13-30 followed by a second extraordinary session from July 19-29.
2010
- See also: Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions
In 2010, the Assembly convened its legislative session on January 19, and it ended its last scheduled floor-period on April 22. [7][8]
Elections
2012
- See also: Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2012
Elections for the office of Wisconsin State Assembly will be held in Wisconsin on November 6, 2012. All 99 seats will be up for election.
The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in these elections is July 10, 2012.
2010
- See also: Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2010
Elections for the office of Wisconsin's State Assembly 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. Out of the 99 districts up for re-election, incumbents ran in 80 of them.
In 2010, the candidates for state assembly raised a total of $7,619,470 in campaign contributions. The top 10 donors were: [9]
| Donor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Public Fund | $160,215 |
| Marek, John | $150,200 |
| Prestrud, Marv | $65,942 |
| Kapenga, Chris | $54,028 |
| Klenke, John | $50,317 |
| Wisconsin Republican Party | $43,734 |
| McDonald, Dari | $42,179 |
| Simonson, John Christian | $41,196 |
| Wisconsin Education Association Council | $36,250 |
| Wisconsin Dental Association | $29,789 |
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 |
 |
If there is a vacancy in the Assembly, the vacant seat must be filled by a special election[10]. The Governor can call for an election when allowed under law. The election cannot be held after February 1st before a spring general election unless it's held on the same day of the election which is first Tuesday in April. The same requirement applies to any election after September 1st preceding the fall general election unless it's held on the same day of the election which is the first Tuesday in November[11]. Also, all vacancies must be filled quickly as long the vacancy happened before the second Tuesday in May during an election year[12].
Redistricting
- See also: Redistricting in Wisconsin
Redistricting in Wisconsin is under the control of the state legislature. If the state legislature fails to reach an agreement, the maps are drawn by either state or federal courts. The State Senate and State Assembly draft maps for the new state legislative districts and the U.S. Congressional districts. Both chambers must pass the new map, and the governor can sign or veto the map for any reason.[13]
2010
According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Wisconsin's population increased from 5.36 million to 5.69 million between 2000 and 2010.[14] This population growth was large enough to allow the state to retain its eight Congressional seats.[15]
Republicans held the majority in the State Senate, State Assembly, and the governorship after the 2010 elections. As a result, the redistricting process was completely under the control of one party.
The Republican leadership dismissed the Democratic-hired firm that was going to aid with redistricting and instead brought in an outside group to aid the process. This new firm's leader had donated to Republican candidates in the past.[16] The redistricting process was accelerated by the summer 2011 recall elections, and Governor Scott Walker signed a bill that gave the legislature the power to redistrict state boundaries before the localities finished their redistricting processes.[17] The state Republicans unveiled their plan on July 8, 2011. Democrats criticized the plan as gerrymandering, but Republicans defended their map.[18] The maps passed the legislature on July 19, 2011, and signed into law by Governor Walker on August 9, 2011.[19]
Several lawsuits were filed as a result of the new maps.[20] The Wisconsin Government Accountability Board identified errors in the maps, likely due to the creation of the state boundaries before the localities finished drawing their boundaries. A court also determined that two Milwaukee-area districts needed to be redrawn to better represent minority-area populations.[21]
Assemblymen
Partisan composition
- See also: Partisan composition of state houses
| Party | As of June 2013 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 39 | |
| Republican Party | 60 | |
| Total | 99 | |
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
As of 2010, members of the Wisconsin Assembly 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.[22]
The $49,943/year that Wisconsin assemblymen are paid as of 2010 is an increase over the $47,413 were paid during legislative sessions in 2007. Per diem is the same.[23]
When sworn in
Wisconsin legislators assume office the first Monday in January following the election.
Leadership
The Speaker of the House is the presiding officer of the body and is elected by its membership. Duties of the speaker include appointing members to legislative committees, authenticating acts, orders, and proceedings of the Assembly, and supervising all other officers of the Assembly. In the absence of the Speaker, the Speaker Pro Tempore assumes all duties of the position.[24][25]
Current leadership
Current members
Assembly standing committees
The Wisconsin Assembly has 31 standing committees:
- Administrative Rules Committee
- Aging and Long-Term Care Committee
- Agriculture Committee
- Assembly Organization Committee
- Audit Committee
- Children and Families Committee
- Colleges and Universities Committee
- Consumer Protection Committee
- Criminal Justice Committee
- Education Committee
- Elections and Campaign Reform Committee
- Energy and Utilities Committee
- Finance Committee
- Financial Institutions Committee
- Forestry Committee
- Health Committee
- Homeland Security and State Affairs Committee
- Housing Committee
- Insurance Committee
- Jobs, the Economy and Small Business Committee
- Judiciary and Ethics Committee
- Labor and Workforce Development Committee
- Natural Resources Committee
- Public Health and Public Safety Committee
- Rules Committee
- Rural Economic Development Committee
- Tourism, Recreation and State Properties Committee
- Transportation Committee
- Urban and Local Affairs Committee
- Veterans and Military Affairs Committee
- Ways and Means Committee
External links
- Official website of the Wisconsin State Assembly
- Official list of the members of the Wisconsin State Assembly
- Project Vote Smart on the Wisconsin State Assembly
References
- ↑ Population in 2010 of the American states
- ↑ Population in 2010 of the American states
- ↑ "Wisconsin Assembly" FAQ's, March 4, 2009
- ↑ 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
- ↑ 2010 session dates for Wisconsin legislature
- ↑ Explanation of Wisconsin legislative floor-periods
- ↑ Follow the Money: "Wisconsin Assembly 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)
- ↑ Wisconsin Legislature "Wisconsin Redistricting Profile"
- ↑ U.S. Census Bureau, "2010 Census: Wisconsin Profile," 2011
- ↑ Northland's News Center "Minnesota and Wisconsin Both to Keep Eight Seats in House", December 21, 2010
- ↑ Chicago Tribune "Democrats cry foul over GOP hiring law firms" 5 Jan. 2011
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Walker allows new legislative mapping, doesn't OK actual maps yet," July 25, 2011
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Parties joust over Wisconsin redistricting plan," July 13, 2011
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Walker signs legislation to redraw district boundaries," August 9, 2011
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin's redistricting trial goes to judges," February 24, 2012
- ↑ Wisconsin State Journal, "Court strikes down GOP redistricting, orders just 2 districts redrawn," March 22, 2012
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2010 Legislator Compensation Data"
- ↑ Empire Center, "Legislative Salaries Per State as of 2007"
- ↑ Rules of the Wisconsin Assembly - Duties of the Speaker
- ↑ Wisconsin Assembly Leadership
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