Wisconsin State Senate
The Wisconsin State Senate, based off 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.
Wisconsin is divided into 33 Senate Districts 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.
The Senate chamber is located in the south wing of the Wisconsin State Capitol building, in Madison, Wisconsin.
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Salary and benefits
Senators elected or re-elected in the fall of 2002 will draw $45,569 a year in salary.
In addition to their salaries, Senators outside Dane County may receive up to $88 a day each in living expenses while they are in Dane County on state business. Members of the Madison delegation are allowed up to $44 each in expenses.
Each senator also receives $75 a 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.
Senate officers
- President of the Senate: Alan J. Lasee
- President pro tem of the Senate: Robert T. Welch
- Majority Leader: Mary E. Panzer
- Minority Leader: Jon B. Erpenbach
- Assistant Majority Leader: David A. Zien
- Assistant Minority Leader: Dave Hansen
- Majority Caucus Chair: Mary A. Lazich
- Minority Caucus Chair: Robert W. Wirch
During the 2003-2005 Legislative Session
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| + | + | + | + | + | + | + | * | * | * | * |
| * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * |
| + | Republicans: 18 | |
| * | Democrats: 15 | + |
Members
| Senator | District | Party | First elected | Seat Up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roger Breske | 12 | Democrat | 1990 | 2004 |
| Ronald Brown | 31 | Republican | 2002 | 2006 |
| Tim Carpenter | 03 | Democrat | 2002 | 2006 |
| Chuck Chvala | 16 | Democrat | 1984 | 2004 |
| Spencer Coggs | 06 | Democrat | 2003 | 2004 |
| Robert Cowles | 02 | Republican | 1987 | 2004 |
| Alberta Darling | 08 | Republican | 1992 | 2004 |
| Russell Decker | 29 | Democrat | 1990 | 2006 |
| Michael Ellis | 19 | Republican | 1982 | 2006 |
| Jon Erpenbach | 27 | Democrat | 1998 | 2006 |
| Scott Fitzgerald | 13 | Republican | 1994 | 2006 |
| Dave Hansen | 30 | Democrat | 2000 | 2004 |
| Sheila Harsdorf | 10 | Republican | 2000 | 2004 |
| Robert Jauch | 25 | Democrat | 1986 | 2006 |
| Theodore Kanavas | 33 | Republican | 2001 | 2006 |
| Neal Kedzie | 11 | Republican | 2002 | 2006 |
| Alan Lasee | 01 | Republican | 1977 | 2006 |
| Julie Lassa | 24 | Democrat | 2003 | 2004 |
| Mary Lazich | 28 | Republican | 1998 | 2004 |
| Joe Leibham | 09 | Republican | 2002 | 2006 |
| Mark Meyer | 32 | Democrat | 2000 | 2004 |
| Gwendolynne Moore | 04 | Democrat | 1992 | 2004 |
| Mary Panzer | 20 | Republican | 1993 | 2004 |
| Jeffrey Plale | 07 | Democrat | 2003 | 2006 |
| Tom Reynolds | 05 | Republican | 2002 | 2006 |
| Fred Risser | 26 | Democrat | 1962 | 2004 |
| Judith Robson | 15 | Democrat | 1998 | 2006 |
| Carol Roessler | 18 | Republican | 1987 | 2004 |
| Dale Schultz | 17 | Republican | 1991 | 2006 |
| Cathy Stepp | 21 | Republican | 2002 | 2006 |
| Robert Welch | 14 | Republican | 1995 | 2004 |
| Robert Wirch | 22 | Democrat | 1996 | 2004 |
| David Zien | 23 | Republican | 1993 | 2006 |
External links
- Wisconsin State Senate (http://www.legis.state.wi.us/senate/senate.html)
Categories: Wisconsin State Legislature