96th Wisconsin Legislature

The Ninety-Sixth Wisconsin Legislature convened from January 6, 2003, to January 3, 2005, in regular session, and held a concurrent special session from January 30, 2003, to February 20, 2003. They also held seven extraordinary sessions during the term.[1]

96th Wisconsin Legislature
95th 97th
Wisconsin State Capitol
Overview
Legislative bodyWisconsin Legislature
Meeting placeWisconsin State Capitol
TermJanuary 6, 2003 – January 3, 2005
ElectionNovember 5, 2002
Senate
Members33
Senate PresidentAlan Lasee (R)
President pro temporeRobert T. Welch (R)
Party controlRepublican
Assembly
Members99
Assembly SpeakerJohn Gard (R)
Speaker pro temporeStephen Freese (R)
Party controlRepublican
Sessions
RegularJanuary 6, 2003 – January 3, 2005
Special sessions
Jan. 2003 Spec.January 30, 2003 – February 20, 2003
Feb. 2003 Extra.February 20, 2003 – February 21, 2003
Jul. 2003 Extra.July 1, 2003 – July 2, 2003
Aug. 2003 Extra.August 11, 2003 – September 25, 2003
Dec. 2003 Extra.December 1, 2003 – February 5, 2004
Mar. 2004 Extra.March 11, 2004 – March 25, 2004
May 2004 Extra.May 18, 2004 – May 19, 2004
Jul. 2004 Extra.July 27, 2004 – July 28, 2004

This was the first legislative session after the redistricting of the Senate and Assembly according to the 2002 federal court decision, Baumgart v. Wendelberger.

Senators representing odd-numbered districts were newly elected for this session and were serving the first two years of a four-year term. Assembly members were elected to a two-year term. Assembly members and odd-numbered senators were elected in the general election of November 5, 2002.[2] Senators representing even-numbered districts were serving the third and fourth year of their four-year term, having been elected in the general election of November 7, 2000.[3]

Major events

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Party summary

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Senate summary

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Senate partisan composition
  Democratic: 15 seats
  Republican: 18 seats
Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
Democratic Republican Vacant
End of previous Legislature 18 15 33 0
Start of Reg. Session [note 1] 13 18 31 2
From May 9, 2003[note 2] 15 33 0
From Nov. 18, 2003[note 3] 14 32 1
From Nov. 25, 2003[note 4] 15 33 0
Final voting share 45.45% 54.55%
Beginning of the next Legislature 14 19 33 0

Assembly summary

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Assembly partisan composition
  Democratic: 40 seats
  Republican: 59 seats
Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
Democratic Republican Vacant
End of previous Legislature 43 56 99 0
Start of Reg. Session 41 58 99 0
From Feb. 1, 2003[note 5] 40 98 1
From Apr. 30, 2003[note 6] 41 99 0
From May 9, 2003[note 7] 39 97 2
From Aug. 4, 2003[note 8] 59 98 1
From Aug. 11, 2003[note 9] 40 99 0
From Nov. 25, 2003[note 10] 39 98 1
From Feb. 3, 2004[note 11] 40 99 0
Final voting share 40.4% 59.6%
Beginning of the next Legislature 39 60 99 0

Sessions

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  • Regular session: January 6, 2003 – January 3, 2005
  • January 2003 Special session: January 30, 2003 – February 20, 2003
  • February 2003 Extraordinary session: February 20, 2003 – February 21, 2003
  • July 2003 Extraordinary session: July 1, 2003 – July 2, 2003
  • August 2003 Extraordinary session: August 11, 2003 – September 25, 2003
  • December 2003 Extraordinary session: December 1, 2003 – February 5, 2004
  • March 2004 Extraordinary session: March 11, 2004 – March 25, 2004
  • May 2004 Extraordinary session: May 18, 2004 – May 19, 2004
  • July 2004 Extraordinary session: July 27, 2004 – July 28, 2004

Leadership

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Senate leadership

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Majority leadership (Republican)
Minority leadership (Democratic)

Assembly leadership

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Majority leadership (Republican)
Minority leadership (Democratic)

Members

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Members of the Senate

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Members of the Wisconsin Senate for the Ninety-Sixth Wisconsin Legislature:[4]

 
Senate partisan representation
  Democratic: 15 seats
  Republican: 18 seats
Dist. Senator Party Age
(2003)
Home First
elected
01 Alan Lasee Rep. 65 De Pere, Brown County 1977
02 Robert Cowles Rep. 52 Green Bay, Brown County 1987
03 Tim Carpenter Dem. 42 Milwaukee, Milwaukee County 2002
04 Gwen Moore Dem. 51 Milwaukee, Milwaukee County 1992
05 Tom Reynolds Rep. 46 Wauwatosa, Milwaukee County 2002
06 Gary R. George (rem. Nov. 18, 2003) Dem. 48 Milwaukee, Milwaukee County 1980
Spencer Coggs (from Nov. 25, 2003) Dem. 54 Milwaukee, Milwaukee County 2003
07 --Vacant until May 9, 2003--
Jeffrey Plale (from May 9, 2003) Dem. 34 South Milwaukee, Milwaukee County 2003
08 Alberta Darling Rep. 58 River Hills, Milwaukee County 1992
09 Joe Leibham Rep. 33 Sheboygan, Sheboygan County 2002
10 Sheila Harsdorf Rep. 46 River Falls, Pierce County 2000
11 Neal Kedzie Rep. 46 Elkhorn, Walworth County 2002
12 Roger Breske Dem. 64 Eland, Shawano County 1990
13 Scott L. Fitzgerald Rep. 39 Juneau, Dodge County 1994
14 Robert T. Welch Rep. 44 Marion, Waushara County 1995
15 Judy Robson Dem. 63 Beloit, Rock County 1987
16 Charles Chvala Dem. 48 Monona, Dane County 1984
17 Dale Schultz Rep. 49 Richland Center, Richland County 1991
18 Carol Roessler Rep. 54 Oshkosh, Winnebago County 1987
19 Michael G. Ellis Rep. 61 Neenah, Winnebago County 1982
20 Mary Panzer Rep. 51 West Bend, Washington County 1993
21 Cathy Stepp Rep. 39 Sturtevant, Racine County 2002
22 Robert Wirch Dem. 59 Pleasant Prairie, Kenosha County 1996
23 David Zien Rep. 52 Eau Claire, Eau Claire County 1993
24 --Vacant until May 9, 2003--
Julie Lassa (from May 9, 2003) Dem. 32 Stevens Point, Portage County 2003
25 Robert Jauch Dem. 57 Poplar, Douglas County 1986
26 Fred Risser Dem. 75 Madison, Dane County 1962
27 Jon Erpenbach Dem. 41 Middleton, Dane County 1998
28 Mary Lazich Rep. 50 New Berlin, Waukesha County 1998
29 Russ Decker Dem. 49 Schofield, Marathon County 1990
30 Dave Hansen Dem. 55 Green Bay, Brown County 2000
31 Ron Brown Rep. 56 Eau Claire, Eau Claire County 2002
32 Mark Meyer Dem. 39 La Crosse, La Crosse County 2000
33 Theodore Kanavas Rep. 41 Brookfield, Waukesha County 2001

Members of the Assembly

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Members of the Assembly for the Ninety-Sixth Wisconsin Legislature:[4]

 
Assembly partisan representation
  Democratic: 40 seats
  Republican: 59 seats
Senate
District
Assembly
District
Representative Party Age (2003) Residence First Elected
01 01 Garey Bies Rep. 56 Sister Bay 2000
02 Frank Lasee Rep. 41 Bellevue 1994
03 Alvin Ott Rep. 53 Forest Junction 1986
02 04 Phil Montgomery Rep. 45 Ashwaubenon 1998
05 Becky Weber Rep. 48 Green Bay 2002
06 John Ainsworth Rep. 62 Shawano 1990
03 07 Peggy Krusick Dem. 46 Milwaukee 1983
08 Pedro Colón Dem. 34 Milwaukee 1998
09 Josh Zepnick Dem. 34 Milwaukee 2002
04 10 Annette P. Williams Dem. 65 Milwaukee 1980
11 Johnnie E. Morris Dem. 51 Milwaukee 1992
12 Shirley Krug Dem. 44 Milwaukee 1984
05 13 David Cullen Dem. 42 Milwaukee 1990
14 Leah Vukmir Rep. 44 Wauwatosa 2002
15 Tony Staskunas Dem. 41 West Allis 1996
06 16 Leon Young Dem. 35 Milwaukee 1992
17 Spencer Coggs (res. Nov. 25, 2003) Dem. 53 Milwaukee 1982
Barbara Toles (from Feb. 3, 2004) Dem. 47 Milwaukee 2004
18 Antonio R. Riley (res. Feb. 1, 2003) Dem. 39 Milwaukee 1992
Lena Taylor (from Apr. 30, 2003) Dem. 36 Milwaukee 2003
07 19 Jon Richards Dem. 39 Milwaukee 1998
20 Christine Sinicki Dem. 42 Milwaukee 1998
21 Jeffrey Plale (res. May 9, 2003) Dem. 34 South Milwaukee 1996
Mark Honadel (from Aug. 4, 2003) Rep. 46 South Milwaukee 2003
08 22 Sheldon Wasserman Dem. 41 Milwaukee 1994
23 Curt Gielow Rep. 57 Mequon 2002
24 Suzanne Jeskewitz Rep. 60 Menomonee Falls 1996
09 25 Bob Ziegelbauer Dem. 51 Manitowoc 1992
26 Terry Van Akkeren Dem. 48 Sheboygan 2002
27 Steve Kestell Rep. 47 Elkhart Lake 1998
10 28 Mark Pettis Rep. 52 Hertel 1998
29 Joe Plouff Dem. 52 Menomonie 1996
30 Kitty Rhoades Rep. 51 Hudson 1998
11 31 Stephen Nass Rep. 50 Whitewater 1990
32 Thomas Lothian Rep. 74 Williams Bay 2002
33 Daniel P. Vrakas Rep. 47 Hartland 1990
12 34 Dan Meyer Rep. 54 Eagle River 2000
35 Donald Friske Rep. 41 Merrill 2000
36 Lorraine Seratti Rep. 53 Spread Eagle 1992
13 37 David Ward Rep. 49 Fort Atkinson 1992
38 Steven Foti Rep. 44 Oconomowoc 1982
39 Jeff Fitzgerald Rep. 36 Horicon 2000
14 40 Jean Hundertmark Rep. 48 Clintonville 1998
41 Luther Olsen Rep. 51 Berlin 1994
42 J. A. Hines Rep. 75 Oxford 2001
15 43 Debi Towns Rep. 46 Janesville 2002
44 Wayne W. Wood Dem. 72 Janesville 1976
45 Dan Schooff Dem. 31 Beloit 1998
16 46 Tom Hebl Dem. 57 Sun Prairie 1996
47 Eugene Hahn Rep. 73 Springvale 1990
48 Mark F. Miller Dem. 59 Madison 1998
17 49 Gabe Loeffelholz Rep. 62 Platteville 2000
50 Sheryl Albers Rep. 48 Reedsburg 1991
51 Stephen Freese Rep. 42 Dodgeville 1990
18 52 John Townsend Rep. 64 Fond du Lac 1998
53 Carol Owens Rep. 71 Oshkosh 1992
54 Gregg Underheim Rep. 52 Oshkosh 1987
19 55 Dean Kaufert Rep. 45 Neenah 1990
56 Terri McCormick Rep. 46 Appleton 2000
57 Steve Wieckert Rep. 48 Appleton 1996
20 58 Glenn Grothman Rep. 47 West Bend 1993
59 Daniel LeMahieu Rep. 56 Cascade 2002
60 Mark Gottlieb Rep. 46 Port Washington 2002
21 61 Robert L. Turner Dem. 55 Racine 1990
62 John Lehman Dem. 57 Racine 1996
63 Bonnie Ladwig Rep. 63 Mount Pleasant 1992
22 64 James Kreuser Dem. 41 Kenosha 1993
65 John Steinbrink Dem. 53 Pleasant Prairie 1996
66 Samantha Kerkman Rep. 28 Burlington 2000
23 67 Jeffrey Wood Rep. 33 Chippewa Falls 2002
68 Larry Balow Dem. 59 Eau Claire 1998
69 Scott Suder Rep. 34 Abbotsford 1998
24 70 Amy Sue Vruwink Dem. 27 Milladore 2002
71 Julie Lassa (res. May 9, 2003) Dem. 32 Stevens Point 1998
Louis Molepske (from Aug. 11, 2003) Dem. 29 Stevens Point 2003
72 Marlin Schneider Dem. 60 Wisconsin Rapids 1970
25 73 Frank Boyle Dem. 57 Superior 1986
74 Gary Sherman Dem. 53 Port Wing 1998
75 Mary Hubler Dem. 53 Rice Lake 1984
26 76 Terese Berceau Dem. 52 Madison 1998
77 Spencer Black Dem. 52 Madison 1984
78 Mark Pocan Dem. 38 Madison 1998
27 79 Sondy Pope-Roberts Dem. 52 Verona 2002
80 Mike Powers Rep. 52 Albany 1994
81 David Travis Dem. 54 Waunakee 1978
28 82 Jeff Stone Rep. 41 Greendale 1998
83 Scott Gunderson Rep. 46 Waterford 1994
84 Mark Gundrum Rep. 32 New Berlin 1998
29 85 Gregory Huber Dem. 46 Wausau 1988
86 Jerry Petrowski Rep. 52 Marathon 1998
87 Mary Williams Rep. 53 Medford 2002
30 88 Judy Krawczyk Rep. 63 Green Bay 2000
89 John Gard Rep. 39 Peshtigo 1987
90 Karl Van Roy Rep. 64 Green Bay 2002
31 91 Barbara Gronemus Dem. 71 Whitehall 1982
92 Terry Musser Rep. 55 Black River Falls 1984
93 Robin Kreibich Rep. 43 Eau Claire 1992
32 94 Michael Huebsch Rep. 38 West Salem 1994
95 Jennifer Shilling Dem. 33 La Crosse 2000
96 DuWayne Johnsrud Rep. 59 Eastman 1984
33 97 Ann Nischke Rep. 51 Waukesha 2002
98 Scott Jensen Rep. 42 Waukesha 1992
99 Michael Lehman Rep. 59 Hartford 1988

Changes from the 95th Legislature

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The most significant structural change to the Legislature between the 95th and 96th sessions was the reapportionment and redistricting of legislative seats. The new districts were defined in the federal court decision Baumgart v. Wendelberger, from a three-judge panel of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

Notes

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  1. ^ Democrats Richard Grobschmidt (District 7) and Kevin Shibilski (District 24) resigned before the start of the session to accept executive branch appointments.
  2. ^ Democrats Jeffrey Plale (District 7) and Julie Lassa (District 24) replaced Richard Grobschmidt and Kevin Shibilski, respectively.
  3. ^ Democrat Gary R. George (District 6) was recalled from office.
  4. ^ Democrat Spencer Coggs (District 6) was sworn in to replace Gary R. George.
  5. ^ Democrat Antonio R. Riley (District 18) resigned to accept an executive branch appointment.
  6. ^ Democrat Lena Taylor (District 18) was sworn in to replace Antonio R. Riley.
  7. ^ Democrats Jeffrey Plale (District 21) and Julie Lassa (District 71) resigned after election to the Wisconsin Senate.
  8. ^ Republican Mark Honadel (District 21) was sworn in to replace Jeffrey Plale.
  9. ^ Democrat Louis Molepske (District 71) was sworn in to replace Julie Lassa.
  10. ^ Democrat Spencer Coggs (District 17) resigned after his election to state senate.
  11. ^ Democrat Barbara Toles (District 17) was sworn in to replace Spencer Coggs.

References

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  1. ^ "Historical Lists" (PDF). Wisconsin Blue Book 2017–2018 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. 2017. p. 646. ISBN 978-0-9752820-9-0. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  2. ^ Results of Fall General Election - 11/05/2002 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. December 2, 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 12, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  3. ^ Results of Fall General Election - 11/07/2000 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. May 10, 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 10, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Barish, Lawrence S., ed. (2003). "Biographies". State of Wisconsin 2003–2004 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 18–86. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
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