Assembly Passes State Treasurer Resolution

The State Assembly voted 63-33 this afternoon to approve Assembly Joint Resolution 5, which deletes the state treasurer from the state constitution and replaces the treasurer with the lieutenant governor on the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands.

Representative Michael Schraa (R-Oshkosh), the bill’s author, was the only representative to speak during the floor debate. Schraa said that it is the responsibility of elected officials to be “good stewards of hard-earned tax dollars” and to evaluate policies to see if they match the intent of previous legislatures. Schraa argued for the deletion of the state treasurer’s office due to the fact that many of the duties previously assigned to the state treasurer’s office have been moved to other agencies.  He cited the fact that the Wisconsin State Legislature has voted 196 times to amend the state constitution as justification for amending the constitution to delete the state treasurer’s office.

“It’s time to allow the electorate to voice their opinion on this matter,” said Schraa.

No other Representatives spoke before voting on AJR5. 

All that is needed for AJR5/SJR4 to pass the Legislature this session is for the full Senate to vote on the proposal. Since AJR5/AJR4 would amend the constitution, if the Legislature passes AJR5/SJR4 this session, they must pass an identical resolution next session. Once the proposal has been approved by the Legislature a second time, it will be voted on in a statewide referendum.  

Assembly to Vote on State Treasurer Resolution Next Tuesday!

The State Assembly will vote on Assembly Joint Resolution 5 next Tuesday, October 27.

As you know, AJR5/SJR4 deletes the state treasurer from the constitution and replaces the treasurer with the lieutenant governor on the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands.

WEMTA believes there are potential unintended consequences of AJR 5/SJR 4 that could put school library funding at risk.  We believe that replacing the State Treasurer with the Lieutenant Governor on the BCPL jeopardizes our founding fathers’ commitment to maintaining a constitutionally protected form of school library funding. As envisioned by our founding fathers, current BCPL Commissioners do not play a leading role in K-12 school funding or the state budget process—this makes them ideal custodians of the Common School Fund and helps protect the integrity of the fund.

If you have concerns about this proposal, now is the time to contact your State Representative and State Senator.

This proposal is incredibly close to being passed by the legislature this session. If AJR5 is approved by the Assembly on Tuesday, all that is left is for the full senate to vote on the proposal. Since  AJR5/SJR 4 amends the state constitution, the resolution must be be re-introduced next session for approval and then approved by voters in a statewide referendum.

HOW DO I CONTACT MY LEGISLATOR?

The first step in contacting your legislator is knowing who your legislator is. The easiest way to do this is the tool found on the Legislature’s home page, athttp://legis.wisconsin.gov. In the right-hand side of that page is a link that says Find My Legislators!  Type your address in the box below that link to get the names of your state representative and senator.

·  Phone.  You may leave a message for your legislator’s Capitol office or indicate your position on legislation through the toll free Legislative Hotline, at 1-800-362-9472.

·  E-mail. The e-mail addresses of members of the Wisconsin Legislature all have the same format. For members of the Assembly, the form is Rep.Jones@legis.wisconsin.gov; for members of the Senate, the form is Sen.Adams@legis.wisconsin.gov.

State Senate Passes Library Board Membership Bill

The State Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 265 this afternoon, which reduces the minimum required members of a federated library board that covers two or more counties from 15 to 11 members.

The bill’s author, Senator Steve Nass (R-Whitewater), said the bill is meant to help Waukesha and Jefferson counties, who are currently in the process of combining their boards. 

The next step is for the State Assembly to vote on the proposal. 

Assembly Committee to Vote on Proposal to Delete State Treasurer Next Week!

The Assembly Committee on State Affairs and Government Operations will vote on Assembly Joint Resolution 5 (AJR5) next Thursday, October 15, which deletes the state treasurer from the state constitution. In addition,  AJR5 replaces the treasurer with  the lieutenant governor on the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands.  

Please consider contacting your State Representative before Thursday, especially if they serve on the Assembly Committee on State Affairs and Government Operations,  to let them know why WEMTA is concerned about AJR 5/SJR 4. 

WEMTA believes there are potential unintended consequences of AJR 5/SJR 4 that could put school library funding at risk.  We believe that replacing the State Treasurer with the Lieutenant Governor on the BCPL jeopardizes our founding fathers’ commitment to maintaining a constitutionally protected form of school library funding. As envisioned by our founding fathers, current BCPL Commissioners do not play a leading role in K-12 school funding or the state budget process—this makes them ideal custodians of the Common School Fund and helps protect the integrity of the fund. 

WEMTA is concerned that a complicated process to change the state constitution may not save as much money as projected, will require a lengthy legislative and election process, and may have unintended consequences affecting the future performance of the fund.  

If the Committee approves AJR 5, it will be sent to the full Assembly for approval. SJR 4 is currently available for a vote before the full Senate. 

HOW DO I CONTACT MY LEGISLATOR?

The first step in contacting your legislator is knowing who your legislator is. The easiest way to do this is the tool found on the Legislature’s home page, athttp://legis.wisconsin.gov. In the right-hand side of that page is a link that says Find My Legislators!  Type your address in the box below that link to get the names of your state representative and senator.

·  Phone.  You may leave a message for your legislator’s Capitol office or indicate your position on legislation through the toll free Legislative Hotline, at 1-800-362-9472.

·  E-mail. The e-mail addresses of members of the Wisconsin Legislature all have the same format. For members of the Assembly, the form is Rep.Jones@legis.wisconsin.gov; for members of the Senate, the form is Sen.Adams@legis.wisconsin.gov.

Assembly Committee on State Affairs and Government Operations

Representative Rob Swearingen (Chair, R-Rhinelander)

Representative David Craig (Vice Chair, R-Big Bend)

Representative John Jagler (R-Watertown)

Representative Janel Brandtjen (R-Menomonee Falls)

Representative Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc)

Representative Bob Gannon (R-Slinger)

Representative Keith Ripp (R-Lodi)

Representative Bob Kulp (R-Stratford)

Representative Gary Tauchen (R-Bonduel)

Representative Tyler Vorpagel (R-Plymouth)

Representative JoCasta Zamarripa (D-Milwaukee)

Representative Christine Sinicki (D-Milwaukee)

Representative Robb Kahl (D-Monona)

Representative Tod Ohnstad (D-Kenosha)

Representative Jonathan Brostoff (D-Milwaukee)