Early last month, I asked for your input on a number of legislative proposals that I thought would come before the State Senate for a vote prior to the end of the regular legislative voting session. The response was impressive and I appreciate everyone who took the time to share their thoughts with me regarding the various proposals.
Today, I want to provide you with an update on the status of each proposal, whether it became law and how I voted on each proposal that was brought up for a vote in the State Senate. The decisions regarding which bills get scheduled for final votes are made almost specifically by the majority party. Currently, the Democrats are the majority party in the State Senate and the Republicans are the majority party in the State Assembly.
Following is a listing of the bills and an update on their status:
Senate Bill (SB) 544 – SB 544, legislation seeking to require the state Public Service Commission to set statewide standards for wind power generation projects, was discussed on the floor of the State Senate, but was referred back to committee. I supported an amendment to allow local citizens more input into the wind siting process, but the majority party disagreed with the amendment and therefore the amended bill will not become law at this time.
SB 150 – SB 150, the proposal to ban smoking in all non-residential privately-owned establishments and workplaces was never scheduled by the Senate Democrats for a vote of the full Senate and therefore the proposal will not become law at this time.
SB 396 – This legislation would ensure that Wisconsin’s children and their families may continue to use public virtual charter schools. I voted “yes” on a compromise version of this bill and it was signed into law by Governor Jim Doyle last week.
Assembly Bill (AB) 695 – This bill would have changed our state law so that inmates in correctional facilities could no longer file unending frivolous “John Doe” lawsuits against correctional employees. Unfortunately, the Senate Democratic majority did not take up this important measure and it will not become law at this time. Instead, Senate Democrats passed SB 537, a watered-down bill that was roundly opposed by rank-and-file correctional officers statewide. I voted “no” on this measure.
SB 113 – SB 113 is a bill that I authored in an effort to end Wisconsin's sales tax on Internet access. Unfortunately, the Senate Democrats decided against scheduling this bill for a vote and it will therefore not become law at this time.
SB 529 – This proposal sought to allow a ten-year-old to hunt with a firearm, so long as a qualified adult mentor is present within one arm’s length of the child. The Senate Democrats decided against scheduling this bill for a vote and it will therefore not become law at this time.
SB 562 – SB 562 would have created a new $15 billion payroll tax-funded, government-mandated health insurance program. The Senate Democrats decided against scheduling this bill for a vote and it will therefore not become law at this time.
SB 215 – This bill would designate June 19 as Juneteenth Day, a legal state holiday celebrating the end of slavery in the United States. This bill was scheduled for a vote and it did pass the full Senate. I voted “No” on the proposal. The bill was not scheduled for a vote in the State Assembly and will therefore not become law at this time.
SB 462 – SB 462 would require psychological examinations for all individuals prior to being hired as a law enforcement officer. This bill was scheduled for a vote and it did pass the full Senate. I voted “Yes” on the proposal. However, it did not receive a vote of the Assembly and will not become law at this time.
Assembly Joint Resolution (AJR) 17 – AJR 17 is a initiative that I authored that would have allowed Wisconsin citizens to vote on a proposal to require a valid photo ID to be presented by every individual seeking to vote or register to vote in Wisconsin. While the proposed constitutional amendment was passed by the Assembly, the Senate Democrats decided against scheduling it for a final vote. As such, the resolution was not approved and the people of Wisconsin will not have the chance to vote on this measure.
The initiatives that were not scheduled for votes cannot be considered again until January 2009.
Thanks again for all the input as it is helpful to me as I seek to make decisions that reflect the majority view of the people I was elected to represent.
As always, it has been a pleasure communicating with you. Please remember to communicate with me and share your input by calling 888-295-8750, writing to me at P.O. Box 7882, Madison, WI 53707-7882, or by e-mailing me at Sen.Leibham@legis.state.wi.us. You can also log on to the 9th Senate District on-line office at www.leibhamsenate.com.
It is an honor representing the residents of the 9th District in the State Senate!