Friday, January 17, 2014

Capitol Update, January 17


State Treasurer

State Representative Michael Schraa (R-Oshkosh) announced Wednesday that he will be making changes to his proposed constitutional amendment to eliminate the offices of Secretary of State and State Treasurer due to concerns raised by other legislators and legislative council. Schraa intends to amend his current resolution, AJR 48, to only delete the State Treasurer position, and he is currently circulating a bill for co-sponsorship to delete the Secretary of State position. By separating the two proposals, Schraa says he can avoid any constitutional issues relating to the referendum process.

Representative Schraa: Schraa renews call for legislature to eliminate Treasurer, Secretary of State

Common Core


The Senate Select Committee for Review of the Common Core Standards Initiative met on Thursday where they discussed their findings from studying the standards.  The chairman of the committee, Senator Paul Farrow (R-Pewaukee) will be creating a final report.  The committee did not vote on any recommendations.

Channel3000: Senate committee discusses Common Core changes
Sen Farrow: Senate Common Core committee concludes hearings

State of the State

Governor Walker will hold his State of the State address next Wednesday, January 22, during which he intends to unveil additional income or property tax cuts due to the state's $1 billion surplus. 

WJFW: State of the State will focus almost exclusively on job initiatives and training.

Capitol

The Department of Administration has reopened the first floor doors of the Capitol building for regular use for the first time in 12 years.  After the attacks on September 11, 2001, the ground floor doors became the only primary entrance and exit, and the first floor doors, located at the top of the steps, remained locked for security purposes.

Department of Administration: DOA Reopens First Floor Capitol Doors

New Representative

Representative Ken Skowronski (R-Franklin) was sworn in as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly on Tuesday.  He won the special election for the 82nd district last month.  There are no longer any vacant seats in the Assembly.

Representative Vos: Welcoming Rep. Ken Skowronski to Assembly
Representative Skowronski: Rep. Ken Skowronski Takes the Oath of Office

Governor’s Race

State Senator Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma) has announced that she will not be running for Governor this year.  Speculation had increased in the past couple of months that she would run, but after receiving a severe broken arm in a car accident last month she says that her recovery is not at the point where she is able to run.  Senator Vinehout previously tried her hand at running for Governor during the recall election.

Marcia Mercedes Perkins will be running for Governor as a Democrat, which will force a democratic primary election.  Wisconsin elections records show that she registered to run on Monday, and that she also filed for the 2010 governor’s race.  Little is known about her.

La Crosse Tribune: Kathleen Vinehout says crash injuries prevent run for Democratic nomination for governor
Vinehout for Wisconsin: Senator Vinehout Statement on Not Running for Governor This Year
Green Bay Press Gazette: Mystery Democrat jumps into governor’s race

Retirement


Representative Dan LeMahieu (R-Cascade) has announced that he will be retiring at the end of the session.  He has represented the 59th district in the Assembly for the past 12 years.

Representative LeMahieu: Rep. LeMahieu Announces Retirement

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