Wisconsin State Senate

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The Wisconsin State Senate, whose powers are modeled after those of the U.S. Senate, is the upper house of the Wisconsin State Legislature, smaller than the Wisconsin State Assembly. Together, they comprise the legislative branch of the state of Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Constitution ties the size of the State Senate to that of the State Assembly, by limiting its size to no less than 1/4, nor more than 1/3, of the size of the Assembly. Currently, Wisconsin is divided into 33 Senate Districts (1/3 of the current Assembly membership of 99) apportioned amongst the state based on population as determined by the decennial census, for a total of 33 senators. Similar to the U.S. Senate, in addition to its duty of passing all legislation passed through the legislature, the State Senate has the exclusive responsibility of confirming certain governor's appointments, particularly cabinet secretaries (as part of the system of checks and balances) and members of boards and commissions.

Senators are elected for four-year terms, staggered so that half the Senate is up for election every two years. If a vacancy occurs in a Senate seat between elections, it may be filled only by a special election.

Democrats currently control the chamber by a slim 18-15 margin.

The Senate chamber is in the south wing of the Wisconsin State Capitol, in Madison, Wisconsin.

Contents 1 Salary and benefits 2 The 2007–2008 legislative session 2.1 Officers 2.2 Seat allotment 2.3 Members 3 External links

[edit] Salary and benefits

Senators elected or re-elected in the fall of 2002 will draw $45,569 per year in salary.

In addition to their salaries, senators outside Dane County may receive a per diem up to $88 to cover living expenses while they are in Dane County on state business. Members of the Madison delegation may receive a per diem up to $44 to cover expenses.

Each senator also receives $75 per month in "out-of-session" pay when the Legislature is in session for three days or less.

Over two years, each senator is allotted $66,008 to cover general office expenses, printing, postage and district mailings.

[edit] The 2007–2008 legislative session

[edit] Officers

• President of the Senate: Fred Risser
• President pro tem of the Senate: Tim Carpenter
• Majority Leader: Judith Robson
• Minority Leader: Scott Fitzgerald
• Assistant Majority Leader: Dave Hansen
• Assistant Minority Leader: Joe Leibham
• Majority Caucus Chair: Mark Miller
• Minority Caucus Chair: Glenn Grothman

• Chief Clerk: Rob Marchant
• Sergeant at Arms: Ted Blazel

[edit] Seat allotment

*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*
*	*	*	*	*	*	*	+	+	+	+
+	+	+	+	+	+	+	+	+	+	+

*	Democrats:	18
+	Republicans:	15

[edit] Members

Senator	District	Party	First elected	Seat up
Alan Lasee	01	Republican	1977	2010
Robert Cowles	02	Republican	1987	2008
Tim Carpenter	03	Democrat	2002	2010
Lena Taylor	04	Democrat	2004	2008
Jim Sullivan	05	Democrat	2006	2010
Spencer Coggs	06	Democrat	2003	2008
Jeffrey Plale	07	Democrat	2003	2010
Alberta Darling	08	Republican	1992	2008
Joe Leibham	09	Republican	2002	2010
Sheila Harsdorf	10	Republican	2000	2008
Neal Kedzie	11	Republican	2002	2010
Roger Breske	12	Democrat	1990	2008
Scott Fitzgerald	13	Republican	1994	2010
Luther S. Olsen	14	Republican	2004	2008
Judith Robson	15	Democrat	1998	2010
Mark Miller	16	Democrat	2004	2008
Dale Schultz	17	Republican	1991	2010
Carol Roessler	18	Republican	1987	2008
Michael Ellis	19	Republican	1982	2010
Glenn Grothman	20	Republican	2004	2008
John Lehman	21	Democrat	2006	2010
Robert Wirch	22	Democrat	1996	2008
Pat Kreitlow	23	Democrat	2006	2010
Julie Lassa	24	Democrat	2003	2008
Robert Jauch	25	Democrat	1986	2010
Fred Risser	26	Democrat	1962	2008
Jon Erpenbach	27	Democrat	1998	2010
Mary Lazich	28	Republican	1998	2008
Russell Decker	29	Democrat	1990	2010
Dave Hansen	30	Democrat	2000	2008
Kathleen Vinehout	31	Democrat	2006	2010
Dan Kapanke	32	Republican	2004	2008
Theodore Kanavas	33	Republican	2001	2010

[edit] External links

• Wisconsin State Senate

Legislatures in the United States

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