December 13, 2004
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE CHAIRS ANNOUNCED
Last week Assembly Speaker John Gard (R, Peshtigo) announced the committee structure and respective chairs for the upcoming legislative session. There will be 40 committees, five more than last session.
The following legislators have been named chairs of committees of interest to UW-Madison:
- Agriculture, Rep. Al Ott (R, Forest Junction)
- Colleges and Universities, Rep. Rob Kreibich (R, Eau Claire)
- Economic Development, Rep. Terri McCormick (R, Appleton)
- Education, Rep. Debi Towns (R, Janesville)
- Government Operations and Spending Limits, Rep. Frank Lassee (R, Green Bay)
- Health, Rep. Gregg Underheim (R, Oshkosh)
- Joint Audit, Rep. Suzanne Jeskewitz (R, Menomonee Falls)
- Workforce Development, Rep. Judy Krawczyk (R, Green Bay)
Senate President Dale Schultz (R, Richland Center) has also recently made additional committee announcements. Of interest to UW-Madison, Senator Sheila Harsdorf (R, River Falls) will return as chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee and Senator Ted Kanavas (R, Brookfield) will serve as chair of the Senate Job Creation, Economic Development and Consumer Affairs Committee.
A full list of Committee assignments to date is available at http://www.thewheelerreport.com/xgr05/05senatecommittees2.PDF (Senate) and http://www.thewheelerreport.com/xgr05/05asmcommittees.PDF (Assembly).
SECRETARY NETTLES STEPPING DOWN
Last week Department of Commerce Secretary, Cory Nettles, announced he is stepping down to return to his legal practice at Quarles & Brady in Milwaukee as a full partner. Nettles was a key player in the crafting and implementation of “Grow Wisconsin,” the Doyle administration’s economic development strategy.
SENATE REPUBLICANS TO SELECT NEW ASSISTANT LEADER
Senate republicans are expected to select a new assistant leader later this month, following Senator Mary Lazich’s (R, New Berlin) announcement that she would step down from that post. Her announcement followed publicity about her admission that she lied to a Milwaukee-based group, the CRG Network, about who she voted for in the secret ballot for majority leader. It is expected that she will continue as vice chair of the Joint Finance Committee.
For more information on state related issues contact,
Kristi Thorson or Don Nelson
Assistant Director, State Relations
608/262-8967