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Conservatively Speaking
State Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) represents parts of four counties: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Walworth. Her Senate District 28 includes New Berlin, Franklin, Greendale, Hales Corners, Muskego, Waterford, Big Bend and parts of Greenfield, East Troy, and Mukwonago. Senator Lazich has been in the Legislature for more than a decade. She considers herself a tireless crusader for lower taxes, reduced spending and smaller government.
March 2008 - Posts
By Mary Lazich
Saturday, Mar 29 2008, 07:01 AM
Think about all of the important expenditures your family makes in the course of a year. The list certainly would include food, clothing, and shelter.
Now think about the time you have to work to earn enough money to afford those necessities.
In calculating this year’s Tax Freedom Day, the non-partisan Tax Foundation in Washington D.C. says, “Americans will work longer to pay for government (113 days) than they will for food, clothing and housing combined (108 days). In fact, Americans will work longer to afford federal taxes alone (74 days) than they will to afford housing (60 days). As a group, Americans will also work longer to pay state and local taxes than they will to pay for food.”
Tax Freedom Day, the day that workers will have earned enough to pay all their federal, state and local taxes, comes on April 23, 2008. Wisconsin’s Tax Freedom day, the 14th latest in the country, arrives one day later, April 24, 2008.
Using data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis in the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Tax Foundation determined America’s Tax Freedom Day by dividing the nation’s total tax payments, $3,910 billion, by the nation’s income as projected by the Tax Foundation for 2008, $12,696 billion. The result, 30.8% is then multiplied by 365 days, equaling 113 days. The 113th day of the year (TheTax Foundation ignored Leap Day) is April 23.
The annual study also breaks down the burden of the various taxes Americans pay, beginning with the largest and most visible, individual income and payroll taxes.
All but 7 states, impose a state income tax on top of the federal income tax. Each American will have to work 42 days to pay off income taxes.
Americans will work, according to the Tax Foundation, another 28 days to afford their payroll taxes that fund Social Security and Medicare, deductions that are clearly designated on payroll stubs. To pay for other add-on taxes like sales and excise taxes, Americans will work another 16 days.
We cannot forget local property taxes. That adds on another 12 days of work.
The Tax Foundation also calculates Americans have to work 13 days to pay for corporate income taxes, figuring that taxes on businesses do get passed on to individuals in the form of increased prices, smaller wages and employment levels, and lower stockholder values.
Add in one more day for estate and gift taxes and one more day for other taxes and the total number of work days needed to afford the tax burden is 113.
Here is the bottom line: You work long and hard to afford essentials like food and clothing. Nothing you work so hard for is as expensive as government.
Here is more information on Tax Freedom Day.
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By Mary Lazich
Friday, Mar 28 2008, 11:24 AM
One of the state Assembly representatives from Senate District 28, Mark Gundrum is on active duty in Iraq. He has written a letter back home and has given permission to share with you.Dear Friends,
Hope all is going well back in beautiful Wisconsin. My wife has kept me informed of what a challenging winter it has been. But for a few sandstorms, the weather here in Iraq has been tolerable thus far, though it did hit 100 degrees earlier this week. I am sure I will be very envious of Wisconsin weather come summer.
I have been in Iraq for about a month and a half now. Serving our country in this capacity is one of the greatest honors an American can experience. My work is primarily focused on helping the rule of law take hold and, hopefully, one day thrive in Iraq. Because of my background in the state legislature and local government, I have also been plugged in a fair amount on Iraqi governance matters as well. Earlier this week, we convoyed into downtown Baghdad for a committee meeting of the Baghdad Provincial Council (a near-equivalent to our state legislature).
Most of my time is spent in Baghdad, though I did make a site visit to Mosul for several days to assess the extent to which the rule of law is taking hold there. We convoyed into town for some insightful meetings with local Iraqi judges, the police chief, and the jail administrator. Because al-Qaida in Iraq and insurgents are still very active in Mosul, we always had to make these visits unannounced and keep them efficient and fairly brief.
America and Iraq are at such an important crossroads for the future right now. There have been so many encouraging improvements in conditions over the past year in Iraq. The Iraqi Army and police force have begun picking up more of the security responsibilities that used to fall on Coalition shoulders alone. The national governing bodies - the Council of Representatives and Presidency Council, as well as the provincial governing bodies - like the Baghdad Provincial Council, have begun functioning like governing bodies in other more established democracies. Similarly, many Iraqi judges and other actors in the criminal justice system here are beginning to demonstrate a commitment to the rule of law. It is exciting to see decisions being made by Iraqi officials based on debate, persuasion, justice, and a commitment to doing what is right, instead of out of fear for personal or family safety - as was the case for more than three decades under Saddam Hussein's regime and even just a year ago when terrorists and insurgents controlled portions of Iraq.
But things must be kept in perspective. There are many forces within (and some outside of) this country still actively committed to undermining a free and sovereign Iraq. Mortar and rocket attacks, car bombs, IEDs, suicide bombers, snipers, etc., attacking innocent Iraqis and American troops are still a very real part of life here. Corruption is still a concern throughout much of Iraq's government to a greater extent than in most other, more established democracies. And fear, though less than perhaps at anytime in the last few decades, is still a concern for honest, upright government officials here. That's why we are at such a crossroads.
The next several months will be quite telling. This is the time when Iraqis, from the policeman on the street to the shopkeeper on the corner to the highest government official, must take full responsibility for their sovereignty and freedom and make the sacrifices necessary to make it their own and make it permanent.
While here, I have been privileged to work with some amazing American patriots. So many wear a uniform - Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. Many are not service members, but are civilian government employees and contractors who have volunteered to come to Iraq because they too want to serve their country in this capacity. Many of these service members and civilians have made tremendous sacrifices to come here and do their part for our country.
America is so great and strong, however, not just because there are service members willing to go to far off lands to fight for our country - but because other great Americans - the ones who are back at home, also step up to the plate and do their part by supporting service members while deployed. That is something my family has been very blessed to experience first-hand over the past few months.
Thank you to all those who have helped clear our driveway during one of the worst winters ever, who have made meals for my family - so my wife could use that time to tend to the needs of our six children, who have bought groceries for our family, watched the children in times of need, and have helped in so many, many other ways.
Please remember to pray for the military spouses and children left behind when a loved one goes off to serve. It takes a significant toll on the family. Though many months of my deployment still remain, for my family that toll has been lessened substantially thanks to the great generosity of so many wonderful friends, family and neighbors. Other service members may not be so fortunate. If you know someone who is deployed, please consider offering to help their family in some small way. The impact it makes for that family and the peace of mind it helps provide the service member serving overseas is substantial.
Once again, my family and I wish to say 'Thank You' for all the support we have received during these initial months of my deployment.
Mark Gundrum
The comments herein represent only the opinions of the author and are in no way meant to represent the views of the United States government or the military.
PHOTO 1: Mark and Major Michael Hert, of the 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion in Green Bay, pause with their convoy prior to heading into downtown Baghdad for a Baghdad Provincial Council committee meeting.
PHOTO 2: Making a new friend while outside a Baghdad courthouse evaluating the workings of a new Iraqi reconciliation/amnesty initiative.
PHOTO 3: Mark with a Mosul police chief after a meeting discussing the impact of terrorist activity in the region on the rule of law 
PHOTO 4: "Safely" inside a forward operating base (FOB) with Mosul in the background.
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By Mary Lazich
Monday, Mar 24 2008, 07:53 AM
An anti-property taxpayer bill was approved by the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Doyle.
Assembly Bill 580 (AB 580) passed 94-3 in the state Assembly and 32-1 in the state Senate. I was the lone dissenting vote in the Senate on AB 580 and here’s why.
According to the Legislative Reference Bureau, under current law, if any property is assessed at a value that is different from the property’s value in the previous year, the assessor must inform the property owner of the new assessment. It must be done in writing, at least 15 days before the first meeting of the taxation district board of review.
Any taxpayer that receives a notice of changed assessment may challenge the assessment by submitting an objection to the board. The board then holds a hearing on the objection and, ultimately, decides whether the assessment is correct or whether the assessment should be changed based on the taxpayer’s objection. If the taxpayer does not agree with the decision of the board, the taxpayer may appeal the decision to the circuit court. If the court finds any error in the board’s proceedings that renders the assessment or the proceedings void, the court remands the assessment to the board for further proceedings.
AB 580 makes changes to the current procedure.
Under AB 580, the review board must grant a taxpayer a 60−day extension for a hearing of the taxpayer’s objection to a changed assessment. The 60-day extension is granted only if the taxation district has approved an ordinance authorizing extensions. The objecting taxpayers must submit a request for the extension and pay a $100 fee.
Here is another provision of the new law that is troubling. If the taxpayer challenges the assessment, the court will presume that the review board’s assessment is correct. That appears to create a court scenario that is unfair and biased.
Property taxpayers in Wisconsin already bear a heavy burden. Stacking the deck against them in court before a hearing even begins, assuming that the assessor is correct, and slapping them with a fee is bad public policy. The Governor should have vetoed this bill.
Here is a copy of the new law, 2007 Wisconsin Act 86.
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By Mary Lazich
Monday, Mar 24 2008, 07:32 AM
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The legislature has approved the Strangulation Prevention Enforcement Act, legislation that I co-sponsored. The bill has been signed into law by Governor Doyle.
The law will provide law enforcement guidelines to address the severity of strangulation and prosecute as a felony.
Under this law, anyone who intentionally impedes the normal breathing or blood circulation of another person by applying pressure on the throat or neck, or by blocking the nose or mouth, of the other person is guilty of a Class H felony. Violators could be fined up to $10,000, be imprisoned up to six years, or both. The law expands the definition of a “dangerous weapon” to include a ligature or any other instrument used on the throat, neck, nose, or mouth of another person to impede, partially or completely, breathing or circulation of blood, and includes strangulation and suffocation in the definition of a “violent crime.”
The Executive Director of the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Patti Seeger says in a news release, "All too often domestic abusers strangle their victims as they escalate the violence, but strangulation often leaves no visible injury and is not treated as the serious and dangerous crime that it truly is. This legislation will be a powerful tool for intervening in a potentially lethal form of domestic violence and prevent it from intensifying."
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By Mary Lazich
Sunday, Mar 23 2008, 07:44 AM
Last month, the state Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 99 (SB 99) that expands the Wisconsin No Call List to include cell phone numbers. SB 99 also allows a small business to request that a land line or cell phone number be included on the No Call List that is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP).
Also under SB 99, a telemarketer is prohibited from calling a customer who has verbally informed the telemarketer that the customer does not want to receive telephone solicitations. Penalties for violators would increase from the current forfeiture of $100. SB 99 increases the forfeiture for violators to not less than $1,000 or more than $10,000.
I voted for the bill to give consumers this option although I advised caution. Registering your cell phone is unnecessary and a very bad idea. Cell phone numbers are unpublished. If, for example, you provide your cell phone number to the national do not call list, suddenly, it becomes a published number. The lists of numbers must be purchased by telemarketers so they can comply with the do not call registry. It would be extremely easy for unscrupulous entities and foreign, international entities to get their hands on the numbers. Your best bet is to avoid registering your cell phone.
The state Assembly failed to take up SB 99 before the 2007 legislative session ended. The bill is dead and could be re-introduced in the next session in January 2009.
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By Mary Lazich
Sunday, Mar 23 2008, 07:24 AM
I was a guest on the Joy Cardin program on Wisconsin Public Radio. I discussed the concerns I have with the Great Lakes Compact.
You can hear the program by going here.
Scroll down to 3/11/08, 6:00 a.m., and click “Listen.”
My interview is during the second part of the hour.
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By Mary Lazich
Friday, Mar 21 2008, 09:45 AM
We are learning more about Governor Doyle’s plan to fix the massive state budget revenue shortfall.
The governor wants to impose a hospital tax. He also wants to raid the Transportation Fund of $243 million and transfer it to the General Fund.
The Wisconsin State Journal reports another element of the governor’s fix is to use payments that are part of a settlement with tobacco companies. The newspaper reports that part of the governor’s plan will cost the state $94 million.
If you think this sounds familiar, you are right.
The Wisconsin State Journal correctly points out that Governor Doyle’s predecessor, Governor Scott McCallum borrowed against future payments by the tobacco companies to balance the state budget in 2001 and 2002. Governor Doyle, the Attorney general at the time, criticized McCallum. Now it seems Governor Doyle is resorting to the same tactic.
The Wisconsin State Journal reports:
“As attorney general, Doyle helped win a settlement with tobacco companies over the costs of smoking. The settlement called for yearly payments from the companies to the state in perpetuity.
Under a plan authorized by lawmakers and McCallum, the state in 2002 borrowed against that future stream of tobacco company money, receiving $1.6 billion upfront and diverting the annual payments — potentially worth more than $5 billion — to pay off the loans, the so-called tobacco bonds. McCallum, a Republican, originally called for using part of the $1.6 billion to fight the effects of tobacco use, but in the end, it all went to plug a state budget hole.
Doyle now wants to refinance those loans, receiving a lower interest rate and extending the payments, to free up $68 million a year for the state through 2020 that could be used to balance the budget and cover health-care costs.
The cost to taxpayers comes because Doyle's plan would delay by a decade the time it takes the state to pay off its debt on the tobacco bonds and start receiving the hundreds of millions of dollars in tobacco company payments free and clear.
Currently, the state is expected to pay off those bonds by 2017. But under the Doyle plan, the state wouldn't pay them off until 2027, according to the analysis by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau.
Over the next two decades, that delay in receiving payments from the tobacco companies will cost the state $94 million in today's dollars, the (Legislative) Fiscal Bureau report found.”
Here is the entire Wisconsin State Journal article.
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By Mary Lazich
Friday, Mar 21 2008, 08:34 AM
Last month, I warned about a rebate scam. Phone calls and e-mails claiming to be from the IRS are asking unsuspecting individuals to confirm private financial information so that refunds and the new rebate can be deposited directly into their accounts.
Those scams continue.
The Baraboo News Republic reports:
“Crooks send e-mails that appear to be from the IRS telling taxpayers they must fill out a form on the Internet before collecting their money. The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers electronically and doesn't ask for personal information over the internet.
A new scheme tries to get taxpayers to reveal personal information before obtaining their economic stimulus payment. That payment goes out automatically to anyone who files a tax return.
The IRS says taxpayers this year have forwarded the agency 33,000 "phishing" scam e-mails reflecting more than 1,500 different schemes.”
Anyone that receives a fake e-mail should not open any links and should forward the message to phishing@irs.gov.
Here is the Baraboo News Republic story.
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By Mary Lazich
Thursday, Mar 20 2008, 10:49 AM
During the legislative session that ended last week, I opposed Senate Bill 232, legislation that would have forced all licensed Wisconsin pharmacists, regardless of their medical and moral judgment, to dispense the morning-after pill and other FDA-approved contraceptive drugs that cause abortions.
Pharmacists would have been required to set aside their moral and medical concerns about birth control and be subservient to the birth control industry. Pharmacists who refuse to give birth control to female customers do so because they are concerned about their patients’ health. Forcing pharmacists to act against their conscience would lead many to leave the profession.
Thankfully, Senate Bill 232 failed in the legislative session.
The issue has now become controversial in the neighboring state of Illinois.
A group of pharmacists is asking the Illinois Supreme Court to toss out a rule that forces them to dispense emergency contraception despite moral objections. Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich imposed the rule in 2005 that stipulates pharmacists cannot turn away women who request emergency contraception.
The case is being watched closely by other states, like Wisconsin, that have similar concerns.
Here is the story.
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By Mary Lazich
Thursday, Mar 20 2008, 08:11 AM
“Few votes are as obvious and easy as this one.”
That’s what a Wisconsin State Journal editorial says about the statewide referendum that will be on the April 1 ballot asking voters whether they want to get rid of or keep the governor’s Frankenstein veto power.
I co-sponsored the constitutional amendment that will prohibit Wisconsin governors, Republican or Democrat, from using their expansive veto power to form new words, phrases or sentences to authorize spending the Legislature never approved.
The constitutional amendment will read:
"QUESTION 1: Partial veto. Shall section 10 (1) (c) of article V of the constitution be amended to prohibit the governor, in exercising his or her partial veto authority, from creating a new sentence by combining parts of two or more sentences of the enrolled bill? "
The appropriate answer is “yes.”
Here’s a reminder of what prompted the constitutional amendment and why the Frankenstein veto must go. Governor Doyle used his partial veto 139 times on the 2005-07 state budget. One of his Frankenstein vetoes increased a transfer from the transportation fund to the general fund from $268 million to $427 million. He accomplished the veto by crossing out 752 words, putting together individual words from unrelated sentences to form a new sentence. To achieve the $427 million figure, he took individual digits from five sets of numbers.
Governor Doyle also utilized the Frankenstein veto in the 2007-09 state budget. He used his veto authority to eliminate the levy limit placed on technical colleges. The budget approved by the Legislature had imposed a cap on growth for technical colleges at four percent.
The governor also used his veto pen to relax the limit placed on local governments by allowing municipalities to increase their levies by 3.86 percent or the rate of new construction for 2007.The governor’s actions almost certainly signal increases in local property taxes, especially for technical colleges that have seen the largest increases of any portion of local property tax bills in recent years.
Should Wisconsin voters strike down the Frankenstein veto, Wisconsin’s governor will still possess the most powerful veto of any governor in the country. The governor would still be able to:
- Reduce spending amounts by eliminating numbers (striking a zero, for example, to cut an appropriation from $100,000 to $10,000)
- Reduce spending amounts by writing in lower figures
- Effectively change policy in new laws by striking words within a sentence, or cutting whole sentences within a given budget item.
The abuse of the governor’s veto authority must end. You have an opportunity to end the budget shenanigans. The vote on April 1 is to get rid of the Frankenstein veto.
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By Mary Lazich
Wednesday, Mar 19 2008, 11:05 PM
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It began this past Sunday when the NCAA announced its 65-team men’s basketball tournament and will continue until a champion is crowned Monday, April 7.
March Madness captures the imagination of the country for 22 days. Fans and non-fans watch the games, talk about the games, plan their schedules around the games, and they bet on the games.
"It is by far the biggest gambling event of the year," Victor Matheson, an expert on sports economics at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts told the Dallas Morning News.
The newspaper also reports that as many as 37 million people are expected to participate in the wagering, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a job counseling firm in Chicago.
The overwhelming majority of March Madness gamblers are involved in small pools with co-workers and friends. A small percentage partakes in high roller stakes that can be very risky.
"We are aware of pools that can get up to $100,000," NCAA spokeswoman Stacey Osburn said.
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) says, “Two to three percent of the US population will have a gambling problem in any given year. That’s 6 million to 9 million Americans yet only a small fraction seeks out services, such as treatment and self-help recovery programs.”
The temptation grows as March Madness erupts, a sporting event that eclipses the popularity of the Super Bowl because it runs for three weeks as opposed to three hours. As such, it lures in more gamblers.
The Executive Director of the Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling Rose Gruber says March tends to be a record-setting month for people calling in to the Council’s helpline seeking assistance for addictive gambling.
The NCPG has compiled a list of questions about the signs of problem gambling. It says if you or someone you know answers yes to any of the following questions, it is likely that gambling has become a serious problem:
1) Have you gambled until your last dollar is gone?
2) Have you often gambled longer than you had planned?
3) Have you lied about your gambling to friends or family?
4) Have you used your income or savings to gamble while letting bills go unpaid?
5) Have you made repeated attempts to stop gambling?
6) Have you broken the law or considered breaking the law to get money to gamble?
7) Have you borrowed money to finance your gambling?
8) Have you felt depressed or suicidal because of your gambling losses?
9) Have you been remorseful after gambling?
10) Have you gambled to try to get money to meet your financial obligations?
The NCPG says problem gambling has serious consequences:
• Trust is often the first casualty in the family of the problem gambler. Change in the behavior of the family member is often attributed to many other possible problems before gambling is identified as the problem.
• Respect for the problem gambler is generally lost once this problem has been identified. “Why can’t you just stop so the problem will go away?”“You can fix this!” When the gambler can’t, respect for them is lost.
• Relationships are built on trust and respect. Without these, family relationships will be weakened or destroyed.
• Family Dynamic is dependent on each family member meeting the needs of the others. Problem gambling can destroy the ability of the gambler to do this.
• Employment can be affected in various ways. The gambler will often neglect responsibilities at work and/or develop an attendance problem asthey begin to have less control over their need to gamble. In the worst situation, the gambler will steal from their employer in order to continue their gambling. Any of this can lead to loss of employment and prosecution.
• Financial security for the family is often lost as the gambler seeks more and more resources with which to gamble. All of the family’s financial resources may be liquidated without their knowledge. Savings, home equity, retirement accounts, children’s savings, etc may all be lost or damaged.
• Reputations are difficult to protect as the gambling problem affects more and more aspects of the gambler’s life and become known by individuals outside of the family.
• Domestic violence may result in a family affected by a member with an addiction problem. The family of a problem gambler can be impacted just as easily as that of someone with an alcohol or drug addiction. The problem gambler may be the victim or perpetrator.
• Co-occurring disorders such as depression, substance abuse, and other compulsive behaviors often occur as a result of or along with the gambling problem. • Children of problem gamblers have a higher probability of developing a gambling problem than those with parents who do not gamble. This follows the pattern as experienced by children of those affected by substance and domestic violence.
If you have questions, need help, or know someone who does, you can call the Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLE-5 or the National Council on Problem Gambling at 1-800-522-4700.
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By Mary Lazich
Wednesday, Mar 19 2008, 01:47 PM
I was interviewed for an article about the competition for water that appears in the March issue of the National Conference of State Legislatures’ magazine, “State Legislatures.”
The article, entitled, “Hot Water,” discusses the Great Lakes Compact:
Supporters of the Great Lakes Water Resources Compact note that it still needs to be ratified by the legislatures of six more states and that the going may not be entirely smooth. In Wisconsin, Senator Mary Lazich says she has concerns that the effect of the compact may be additional bureaucracy. “I think it has the potential to be make-work for the government and private sector attorneys who will be involved in defining all of this down the road,” says Lazich.
But even with such reservations, Lazich acknowledges that momentum is in the compact’s favor, and for a compelling reason. “All of us are reading about the water issues across the country and it makes us even more determined to preserve our Great Lakes. We want to see the language of the compact tweaked a little, but ultimately the only thing that matters is making sure that nothing detrimental happens to the lakes.”
Here is the entire article.
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By Mary Lazich
Tuesday, Mar 18 2008, 04:38 PM
The nonpartisan research group, the Tax Foundation in Washington D.C. has released a study showing most states in America, including Wisconsin, tax businesses at a higher rate than any other country in the developed world.
Here is how the Tax Foundation came up with its findings. For each state, the Tax Foundation added the state’s corporate tax rate to the federal corporate tax rate. The results:
- 25 states, including Wisconsin have a combined corporate tax rate higher than top-ranked Japan.
- 35 states, including Wisconsin have a combined corporate tax rate higher than third-ranked Germany.
- 46 states, including Wisconsin have a combined corporate tax rate higher than fourth-ranked Canada.
- All 50 states have a combined corporate tax rate higher than fifth-ranked France.
I agree with Tax Foundation president Scott Hodge, who authored the study. Hodge says, “Tax competition for jobs and investment is fierce, and the U.S. continues to fall further and further behind. Our states should be the world's leaders in many things, but high taxation should not be one of them. The high federal corporate tax rate is literally crushing states' competitive abilities. That means fewer jobs for American workers."
Here is the Tax Foundation news release.
Here is the Tax Foundation full study.
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By Mary Lazich
Thursday, Mar 13 2008, 06:41 PM
Tuesday on the floor of the state Senate, I adjourned the Senate session in honor of Kara Walla of Hales Corners, winner of the state spelling bee, and the New Berlin Eisenhower boy’s basketball team that won the W.I.A.A. Division 2 state basketball championship.
You can watch the adjournment honors here.
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By Mary Lazich
Thursday, Mar 13 2008, 06:27 AM
Here is the calendar for the state Senate floor session today, March 13:
First Order. Call of Roll.
Second Order. Chief clerk's entries.
Third Order. Introduction, first reading and reference of proposals; reference of appointments.
Fourth Order. Report of committees.
Fifth Order. Petitions and communications.
Sixth Order. Advice and consent of the Senate.
QUESTION: Shall the appointment be confirmed?
Frank, Matt, of Middleton, as Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources, to serve for the term ending at the pleasure of the Governor.
Nelson, Elwyn, of Oshkosh, as a member of the Fox River Navigational System Authority, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2010.
Eighth Order. Messages from the Assembly.
Ninth Order. Special Orders.
Tenth Order. Consideration of motions, resolutions, and joint resolutions not requiring a third reading.
QUESTION: Shall the resolution be adopted?
Senate Resolution 28. Relating to: divestment of State of Wisconsin Investment Board investments in certain companies with ongoing business operations in Sudan.
Senate Resolution 29. Relating to: the life of David F. Schulz who passed away on Sunday, the 7th of October, 2007, after many years of government and academic service.
Senate Joint Resolution 105. Relating to: expressing support for the Milwaukee Center for Independence.
Eleventh Order. Second reading and amendments of senate joint resolutions and senate bills.
QUESTION: Shall the joint resolution be ordered to a third reading?
Senate Joint Resolution 80. Relating to: providing property tax relief to persons who have their principal dwelling in this state (first consideration). Senate Substitute Amendment 1 pending
QUESTION: Shall the bill be ordered to a third reading?
Senate Bill 215. Relating to: making June 19, Juneteenth Day, a legal holiday.
Senate Bill 232. Relating to: pharmacists, contraceptives, and the definition of abortion. Senate Amendments 1 and 2 pending
Senate Bill 374. Relating to: compulsory financial responsibility for the operation of motor vehicles, providing an exemption from emergency rule-making procedures, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty
Senate Bill 404. Relating to: making companies that hire illegal aliens ineligible for certain tax exemptions, governmental contracts, grants, and loans, granting rule-making authority, and providing penalties. Senate Amendment 1 pending
Senate Bill 500. Relating to: creating an agricultural education and workforce development council and making an appropriation.
Senate Bill 532. Relating to: motor vehicle operating privileges, seizures by courts or law enforcement officers of operator's licenses, and reinstatement of canceled identification cards.
Senate Bill 546. Relating to: drunken driving and creating a penalty.
Senate Bill 553. Relating to: notices concerning construction near or on lakes, streams, or wetlands that are given to applicants for building permits and other construction approvals, requiring the Department of Natural Resources to furnish informational brochures about wetlands laws, requiring the Department of Natural Resources to provide evaluations and statements about whether certain land contains wetlands, and making an appropriation. Senate Amendment 1 pending
Senate Bill 557. Relating to: state special education aid for the salaries of certain pupil services personnel and granting rule-authority.
Twelfth Order. Second reading and amendments of assembly joint resolutions and assembly bills.
QUESTION: Shall the bill be ordered to a third reading?
Assembly Bill 144. Relating to: escapes by persons on probation, parole, and extended supervision and providing penalties.
Assembly Bill 301. Relating to: holding periods for secondhand dealers and pawnbrokers and regulating occasional sellers of computer toys and games and audio and video recordings.
Assembly Bill 531. Relating to: the frequency of wage payments to volunteer fire fighters and emergency medical technicians.
Assembly Bill 605. Relating to: investment of assets in the state investment fund (suggested as remedial legislation by the Investment Board).
Assembly Bill 606. Relating to: Investment Board report dealing with investments in this state (suggested as remedial legislation by the Investment Board).
Assembly Bill 615. Relating to: service on foreign corporations (suggested as remedial legislation by the Office of the Secretary of State). A
Assembly Bill 617. Relating to: adding the definition of fiscal year to abandoned property reporting requirements law and assessment of a service charge after June 30 regarding abandoned property (suggested as remedial legislation by the Office of the State Treasurer).
Thirteenth Order. Third reading of joint resolutions and bills.
Fourteenth Order. Motions may be offered.
Fifteenth Order. Announcements, adjournment honors, and remarks under special privilege.
Sixteenth Order. Adjournment.
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By Mary Lazich
Wednesday, Mar 12 2008, 05:37 PM
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Legislation I authored that allows siblings to continue visitation in the event parental visitation is terminated was approved by the state Senate today.
Senate Bill 476 is follow-up legislation to 2005 Wisconsin Act 448 that I authored that gives children awaiting adoption the right to be adopted into the family of an already adopted sibling. Children in foster care or awaiting adoption under the law now have the opportunity to grow up with a sibling rather than a stranger.
Currently, sibling visitation ceases upon termination of parental visitation. Senate Bill 476 is a logical step to take now that the state allows siblings to be adopted into the same family.
One of my constituents with much experience as a foster parent brought this problem to my attention. The constituent was disturbed that upon the appropriate termination of parent visitation, the children were not allowed to continue sibling visitation. Under Senate Bill 476, if it is in the best interest of the child/children, visitation is to be allowed.
The children must be of utmost importance and consideration during this sad and tragic event in their lives. Senate Bill 476 allows siblings to continue visitation and prevents children from experiencing further separation, disruption, and confusion.
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By Mary Lazich
Wednesday, Mar 12 2008, 05:03 PM
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Senate Democrats approved bills in the Senate today that set up obstacles for the popular and successful Milwaukee Parental Choice Program.
Senate Bill 486 (SB 486) stipulates that beginning in the 2009−10 school year, each private school participating in the school choice program must ensure that all instructional staff in the private school hold a license or a permit to teach issued by the state Department of Public Instruction.
I had the opportunity to tour a choice school in Milwaukee. One of the instructors teaching physical education had a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He was more than qualified to be teaching physical education and his students thoroughly enjoyed his class.
Under SB 486 that was approved along party lines by the state Senate, this Tae Kwon Do black belt-holder would be prohibited from teaching in an area he’s very knowledgeable unless he goes through the hoops to get a DPI license. That would be unfair to the staff person and extremely sad for school children benefiting from this professional’s expertise.
Choice schools have a system in place to ensure quality teachers.
As part of an accreditation process required under a bill signed into law during the 2005 legislative session, 2005 Act 125, choice schools have a professional development plan. There are also training and education credits in the specific subject areas that a staff person teaches.
I also voted against Senate Bill 349 (SB 349). SB 349 is about record keeping.
Previous legislation, 2005 Act 125, addressed the issue. Under the law, choice schools must be accredited within three years by an approved agency. Each of the agencies has specific requirements that must be followed for keeping student records.
I voted against these bills because they are more efforts by Senate Democrats to impede the continued progress of choice schools by imposing unnecessary regulations.
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By Mary Lazich
Wednesday, Mar 12 2008, 03:01 PM
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Have you heard about Wisconsin’s revenue shortfall?
The Legislative Fiscal Bureau announced the shortfall is an incredible $652.3 million. It’s a huge problem that needs to be addressed and with a proper solution.
Have you seen the cost of gasoline? At $3.20/gallon and climbing, the price is the highest ever in Wisconsin.
Have you traveled on the Interstate lately? A myriad of potholes and huge divots, the Interstate and many Wisconsin roads are in deplorable condition.
Have you renewed your license or registration lately? Did you notice the $10 increase in license renewal, and the $20 increase in registration renewal?
Connect the dots: the large revenue shortfall, the high cost of gasoline, roads that look like minefields, and increased fees. Keep those issues in mind as you consider Governor Doyle’s proposal to repair the state budget.
Part of the governor’s plan to fix the budget shortfall is to raid the state’s Transportation Fund of $243 million and transfer it to the General Fund. The Transportation Fund is financed through the state gas tax, one of the highest in the nation, and driver license fees and registration fees. The revenue is used for road projects.
That means less money will be available for work on Wisconsin roads at a time they are in desperate need of attention.
Once again, Governor Doyle has dug into the pockets of taxpayers and his bag of tricks and pulled out an oldie, but not a goodie: raiding the Transportation Fund to plug a spending hole.
During February 2005, Governor Doyle presented his 2005-07 state budget to the Legislature including a $180 million transfer from the state's Patient Compensation Fund and another $250 million from the transportation fund.
After the 2005-07 state budget was approved by the Legislature, Governor Doyle partially vetoed 752 words out of a large section of the budget to create a 20-word sentence. The result was a raid of $427-million from the Transportation Fund, an appropriation the Legislature did not authorize.
The 2007-09 state budget transfers $200 million from the state's Patient Compensation Fund to the general fund. The Wisconsin Medical Society is now suing the state because of the raid that could be illegal.
When citizens pay a tax or fee designated for a specific purpose, like the gas tax for roads, they expect the funds will be used in that manner. The use of funds for other programs or services other than those the funding was intended for is a serious breach of faith and trust with the public. These raids are wrong and must stop.
This legislative session, a constitutional amendment, Assembly Joint Resolution 34 (AJR 34) to prevent budget raids was approved by the state Assembly, 91-6. AJR 34 would prohibit state lawmakers from raiding segregated funds to fill budget holes and prevent funds from being used outside their original intent.
This is the first consideration of AJR 34. The amendment must still pass the state Senate in this legislative session, then be approved by both houses of the Legislature in the next legislative session before going to voters in a statewide referendum. It is highly unlikely the state Senate will schedule AJR 34 for a vote before the current session ends Thursday.
Wisconsin got into its current budget mess because the state taxes, spends, and borrows too much. Governor Doyle’s plan to fix the state budget is to increase the hospital tax and raid the Transportation Fund. Raising taxes and raiding funds are the wrong solutions. Think about that the next time you fill up your tank or hit a pothole.
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By Mary Lazich
Wednesday, Mar 12 2008, 06:18 AM
Here is the state Senate calendar for today, Wednesay, March 12, 2008:
First Order. Call of Roll.
Second Order. Chief clerk's entries.
Third Order. Introduction, first reading and reference of proposals; reference of appointments.
Fourth Order. Report of committees.
Fifth Order. Petitions and communications.
Sixth Order. Advice and consent of the Senate.
Seventh Order. Referrals and receipt of committee reports concerning proposed administrative rules.
Eighth Order. Messages from the Assembly.
Ninth Order. Special Orders.
QUESTION: Shall the appointment be confirmed?
Special Order at 11:01 A.M.
Culver, Curt S., of Nashotah, as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Medical College of Wisconsin, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2010.
Special Order at 11:02 A.M.
Stark, Will, of De Pere, as a member of the Fox River Navigational System Authority, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2010.
QUESTION: Shall the bill be ordered to a third reading?
Special Order at 11:03 A.M.
Assembly Bill 297. Relating to: the regulation of certain structures in navigable waters, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation.Senate Amendment 1 pending
QUESTION: Shall the amendment be concurred in?
Special Order at 11:04 A.M.
Senate Bill 69. Relating to: information obtained by a tax preparer in the course of preparing a client's tax return. Assembly Substitute Amendment 3 pending
Special Order at 11:05 A.M.
Senate Bill 176. Relating to: payment of a 1st class city police officer's salary after discharge and the adjournment of a trial or investigation relating to charges brought against such an officer. Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 pending
QUESTION: Shall the joint resolution be adopted?
Special Order at 11:06 A.M.
Senate Joint Resolution 101. Relating to: commending Chancellor John P. Keating on his commitment to excellence in higher education.
Special Order at 11:07 A.M.
Senate Joint Resolution 102. Relating to: the life and public service of Jerome F. Quinn.
Special Order at 11:08 A.M.
Senate Joint Resolution 103. Relating to: commending Chancellor John D. Wiley for his outstanding service to the state of Wisconsin.
QUESTION: Shall the bill be ordered to a third reading?
Special Order at 11:09 A.M.
Senate Bill 251. Relating to: removal of a pupil from class, from any portion of school property, or from a school-sponsored activity. Senate Substitute Amendment 1 pending
Special Order at 11:10 A.M.
Senate Bill 274. Relating to: restrictions relating to soil testing and the installation, design, maintenance, repair, and sale of private sewage systems and providing a penalty. Senate Amendment 1 pending
Special Order at 11:11 A.M.
Senate Bill 285. Relating to: the regulation of certain telecommunications utilities and the public service commission's jurisdiction over public utilities in general. Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 and Senate Substitute Amendment 1 pending
Special Order at 11:12 A.M.
Senate Bill 349. Relating to: records of pupils attending a private school participating in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program.
Special Order at 11:13 A.M.
Senate Bill 379. Relating to: fire safety performance standards for cigarettes, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty.Senate Amendments 1 and 2 pending
Special Order at 11:14 A.M.
Senate Bill 397. Relating to: the disposal, collection, and recycling of electronic devices, making an appropriation, and providing penalties. Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 and Senate Substitute Amendment 1 pending
Special Order at 11:15 A.M.
Senate Bill 442. Relating to: the use of cellular telephones and other devices while operating certain motor vehicles transporting children and providing a penalty. Senate Amendment 1 pending
Special Order at 11:16 A.M.
Senate Bill 453. Relating to: the total amount of airport development zone and technology zone tax credits.
Special Order at 11:17 A.M.
Senate Bill 474. Relating to: licenses and limited X-ray machine operator permits to engage in the practice of radiography, creating a radiography examining board, granting rule-making authority, requiring the exercise of rule-making authority, and providing a penalty.
Special Order at 11:18 A.M.
Senate Bill 486. Relating to: requiring the licensure of instructional staff in schools participating in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program.
Special Order at 11:19 A.M.
Senate Bill 493. Relating to: providing information about suicide prevention to public and private school professional staff.
Special Order at 11:20 A.M.
Senate Bill 494. Relating to: changing the procedures for filling vacant civil service positions in the city of Milwaukee.
Special Order at 11:21 A.M.
Senate Bill 504. Relating to: supervision of barber or cosmetologist apprentices.
Special Order at 11:22 A.M.
Senate Bill 510. Relating to: requiring the combined reporting of corporate income and franchise taxes; supplemental funding for the renewable energy grant and loan program; Wisconsin higher education grants for technical college students; income eligibility for child care subsidies; incentive grants to technical college district boards for training in advanced manufacturing skills; airport development zone and technology zone tax credits; funding for the Department of Transportation; the Regional Transit Authority and commuter rail transit systems; authorizing the Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority to issue bonds to finance projects related to research facilities; and making an appropriation. Senate Amendment 1 pending
Special Order at 11:23 A.M.
Senate Bill 536. Relating to: adding a member to the Council on Veterans Programs.
Special Order at 11:24 A.M.
Senate Bill 544. Relating to: requiring that local regulation of a wind energy system be consistent with Public Service Commission rules and granting rule-making authority. Senate Amendments 1, 2 and 4 pending
Special Order at 11:25 A.M.
Senate Bill 549. Relating to: the confidentiality and electronic filing of real estate transfer returns.
Special Order at 11:26 A.M.
Senate Bill 551. Relating to: reporting requirements for certain charitable organizations.
Special Order at 11:27 A.M.
Assembly Bill 169. Relating to: obtaining a special registration plate for disabled persons.
Special Order at 11:28 A.M.
Assembly Bill 216. Relating to: community service work option for certain defendants.
Special Order at 11:29 A.M.
Assembly Bill 334. Relating to: designating fer | |
