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Wisconsin State Legislature
| Wisconsin State Legislature | |
 | |
| General Information | |
| Type: | State legislature |
| Term limits: | None |
| 2013 session start: | January 10, 2012 |
| Website: | Official Legislature Page |
| Leadership | |
| Senate President: | Michael Ellis (R) |
| House Speaker: | Jeff Fitzgerald (R) |
| Majority Leader: | Scott Fitzgerald (R) (Senate), Scott Suder (R) (Assembly) |
| Minority leader: | Mark Miller (D) (Senate), Peter Barca (D) (Assembly) |
| Structure | |
| Members: | 33 (Senate), 99 (Assembly) |
| Length of term: | 4 years (Senate), 2 years (Assembly) |
| Authority: | Art IV, Wisconsin Constitution |
| Salary: | $49,943/year + per diem |
| Elections | |
| Last Election: | November 2, 2010 17 seats (Senate) 99 seats (Assembly) |
| Next election: | November 4, 2012 16 seats (Senate) 99 seats (Assembly) |
| Redistricting: | Wisconsin Legislature has control |
Contents |
Sessions
Article IV of the Wisconsin Constitution contains provisions related to the meeting of the Legislature. Section 11 of Article IV states that the times for regular sessions are to be provided by law. Session times and dates are established by calendar, which is voted on at the begginning of each two year session. 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 Legislature 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.[1] 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.[2]
2011
- See also: Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions
In 2011, the Legislature 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. [3] 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. [4]
2010
- See also: Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions
In 2010, the Legislature convened its legislative session on January 19, and it ended its last scheduled floor-period on April 22. [5][6]
Senate
The Wisconsin State Senate is the upper house of the Wisconsin State Legislature. Together, they comprise the legislative branch of the state of Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Constitution ties the size of the State Senate to that of the State Assembly, by limiting its size to no less than 1/4, nor more than 1/3, of the size of the Assembly. Currently, Wisconsin is divided into 33 Senate Districts (1/3 of the current Assembly membership of 99) apportioned amongst the state based on population as determined by the decennial census, for a total of 33 senators. Each member represents an average of 172,333 residents, as of the 2010 Census.[7] After the 2000 Census, each member represented 162,536.[8] Similar to the U.S. Senate, in addition to its duty of passing all legislation passed through the legislature, the State Senate has the exclusive responsibility of confirming certain governor's appointments, particularly cabinet secretaries (as part of the system of checks and balances) and members of boards and commissions.
Senators are elected for four-year terms, staggered so that half the Senate is up for election every two years. If a vacancy occurs in a Senate seat between elections, it may be filled only by a special election.
| Party | As of May 2013 | |
|---|---|---|
| Republican Party | 18 | |
| Democratic Party | 15 | |
| Total | 33 | |
State Assembly
The Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin State Senate, the two comprise the legislative branch of Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Constitution limits the size of the State Assembly to between 54 and 100 members inclusive. Currently, Wisconsin is divided into 99 Assembly Districts apportioned amongst the state based on population as determined by the decennial census, for a total of 99 Representatives. Each member represents an average of 57,444 residents, as of the 2010 Census.[9] After the 2000 Census, each member represented 54,179.[10]
Representatives are elected for two year terms, elected during the fall elections. If a vacancy occurs in an Assembly seat between elections, it may be filled only by a special election.
| Party | As of May 2013 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 39 | |
| Republican Party | 60 | |
| Total | 99 | |
Legislators
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
As of 2010, members of the Wisconsin Legislature 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.[11]
The $49,943/year that Wisconsin legislators are paid as of 2010 is an increase over the $47,413 were paid during legislative sessions in 2007. Per diem is the same.[12]
When sworn in
Wisconsin legislators assume office the first Monday in January following the election.
Joint committees
The Wisconsin State Legislature has ten standing committees:
- Administrative Rules Committee, Wisconsin State Legislature
- Audit Committee, Wisconsin State Legislature
- Employment Relations Committee, Wisconsin State Legislature
- Joint Finance Committee, Wisconsin State Legislature
- Information Policy and Technology Committee, Wisconsin State Legislature
- Joint Legislative Council Committee, Wisconsin State Legislature
- Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties, Wisconsin Legislature
- Legislative Organization Committee, Wisconsin State Legislature
- Joint Survey Committee on Retirement Systems, Wisconsin State Legislature
- Tax Exemptions Committee, Wisconsin State Legislature
External links
- Official Wisconsin State Legislature website
- Legislative Reference Bureau
- Wikipedia: Wisconsin Legislature
References
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Population in 2010 of the American states
- ↑ Population in 2000 of the American states
- ↑ Population in 2010 of the American states
- ↑ Population in 2000 of the American states
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2010 Legislator Compensation Data"
- ↑ Empire Center, "Legislative Salaries Per State as of 2007"
