Capitol Capsules
Republicans pick up legislative seats
GOP majorities in both houses of the state Legislature grew by one seat in both the Senate and Assembly in the Nov. 2 elections.
In the state Senate, Republican Dan Kapanke defeated Democrat Brad Pfaff to claim the 32nd District, which was open because of Democrat Mark Meyer’s resignation.
In the only other open Senate seat, the 16th Senate District, Democrat Mark Miller defeated Republican Eric Peterson to claim the seat, which was previously held by Democrat Chuck Chvala. Additionally, incumbent Madison Democrat Fred Risser retained his Senate seat. Republicans now control the state Senate 19-14.
In the state Assembly, Republicans also picked up a seat, bringing their control of that house to 60-39. The Republicans picked up an open seat that had been previously held by Democrat Larry Balow, who did not seek re-election, when Republican Terry Moulton defeated Joe Bee Xiong in the 68th District.
In Dane County Assembly races, Republican Brett Davis won the 80th District seat vacated by Republican Mike Powers; Democrat Mark Pocan won in the 78th District; Democrat Sondy Pope-Roberts retained her 79th District seat; Republican Eugene Hahn kept his post in the 47th District; Miller’s 48th District seat was filled by Democrat Joe Parisi; and Democrat Gary Hebl won in the 46th District.
Both parties lost an incumbent member in the Assembly: Republican Becky Weber lost to Democrat Tom Nelson in the 5th District, while incumbent Democrat Joe Plouff lost to Republican Andy Lamb in the 29th District.
Legislative leaders chosen
Sen. Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center) defeated Juneau Republican Scott Fitzgerald for the majority leader’s post in the Senate, while Assembly Speaker John Gard (R-Peshtigo) was unopposed for a second term as speaker.
Sen. Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) was elected assistant minority leader in the Senate, while Assembly Republicans elected Rep. Michael Huebsch (R-West Salem) as the majority leader and Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Horicon) as assistant majority leader.
Rep. Jim Kreuser (D-Kenosha) was re-elected as Assembly minority leader and Rep. Jon Richards (D-Milwaukee) was returned as assistant minority leader.
Sen. Judy Robson (D-Beloit) replaced Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) as Senate minority leader. Erpenbach stepped down in the days after the election, saying his decision was made several weeks ago and was not dependent on the election outcome.
In addition, Schultz named Sen. Scott Fitzgerald as Senate co-chair of the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee and Gard reappointed Rep. Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah) as the panel’s Assembly co-chair.
Assembly GOP focused on tax relief
Assembly Speaker Gard said that the elections were a mandate for property tax relief and that the Republican property tax freeze proposal advanced earlier this year will be taken up before the budget bill is considered.
He also said that the so-called Taxpayer Bill of Rights is another key issue and that TABOR is going to pass in the next session. In addition to taxes, Gard said the themes of the next session will include jobs and health care.
TABOR plan sought
Sen.-elect Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend) was named by Schultz to take charge of drafting a version of TABOR that could receive the support of the GOP Senate caucus.
Schultz said he is committed to holding hearings and having a vote on the proposed constitutional amendment to limit state and local spending.
For more information: Kristi Thorson or Don Nelson, 262-8967, staterelations@bascom.wisc.edu or http://www.staterelations.wisc.edu.