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State Capitol Happenings
State Senate Now Evenly Split Between Demorats and Republicans
As a result of state Senator Pam Galloway's (R-Wausau) surprise immediate resignation from the state Senate last Friday, the chamber is now evenly split between Republicans and Democrats who each hold 16 seasts.
Without either party controlling a majority in the state Senate, the control dynamics of the body changes. However, with the exception of some rules before committees, very little can be done by the Legislature before the 2013-2014 Legislative session, now that they have adjourned the session.
The state Senate will follow the following procedures under the new split control formation of the body.
- All Committees that had an even number of senators prior to her resignation will now have equal representation of GOP & DEM, but GOP senators will remain as chairs, an example is the Joint Committee on Finance. There are eight senate members of that committee, so now there will be four GOP and four DEM. Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) will remain the Senate Co-Chair. Note, there are no 13.10 or JFC meetings scheduled until after the recalls, so will likely not have any near term impact.
- Committees with the exception of the Senate Committee on Organization, that have odd numbers of members, will maintain their current split because seats cannot be added to an established committee.
- The membership of the Committee on Organization is prescribed by the Senate Rules when there is equal representation by the political parties in the Senate.
Senator Holperin Announces He Run for Re-election
This week, state Senator Jim Holperin (D-Eagle River) announced that he would not run for re-election to his seat in northern Wisconsin. Holperin, who is in his first term as a state Senator, survived a recall election last summer by defeating his GOP opponent by a fairly comfortable margin and was favored to win re-election this fall.
In his announcement, Holperin said, "Politics and legislating are fascinating and fulfilling work and I've enjoyed 20 years of it in the State Assembly, State Senate and as a cabinet secretary. I wouldn't trade the experience for anything in the world, but now there are other things I want to do."
Many Capitol followers believe that the seat will be difficult for the Democrats to hold because of its Republican leanings.
Governor Signs Bills into Law
SB-453. DSPS (Leibham) The authority and responsibility of the Dept. of Safety and Professional Services, requirements for obtaining certain licenses or other credentials for DSPS, weighing a product that contains opium or another controlled substance. Act 146
AB-518. Highways (Billings) Designation of highways as scenic byways. Act 147
SB-441. DNR. (Schultz) Authorizes the DNR to collect voluntary contributions in addition to fees charged for certain approvals, authorizes the voluntary contributions to be paid to the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin. Act 148
AB-104. DNR Board (LeMahieu) Revises membership on DNR Board. Act 149
SB-156. Geothermal Well Drillers (Kedzie) Expands the current law regulating well drillers so that it also applies to businesses and individuals who engage in certain ground excavation activities undertaken for the purpose of a geothermal heat exchange system. Act 150
SB-557. Water Pollution (Moulton) Trading of water pollution credits. Act 151
AB-383. Waste Disposal (Steineke) The disposal of oil absorbent materials. Act 152
SB-262. St Croix Riverway (Harsdorf) Permit exemption for placement of a pier containing a floating toilet facility in the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Act 153
State Unemployment Rate Holds Steady
The Department of Workforce Development announced this week that Wisconsin's unemployment rate remained at 6.9 percent in February as the state added an estimated 8,300 total jobs, which includes 4,000 private-sector jobs and 4,300 government jobs.
To read the DWD release, click below:
http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/newsreleases/2012/unemployment/120322_february_state.pdf | 
