95th Wisconsin Legislature

Wisconsin legislative term for 2001-2002

95th Wisconsin Legislature

| <-| 94th | 96th| ->

|
|
|

Wisconsin State Capitol

Overview
Legislative body| Wisconsin Legislature
Meeting place| Wisconsin State Capitol
Term| January 1, 2001 – January 6, 2003
Election| November 7, 2000
Senate
Members| 33
Senate President| Fred Risser (D)
President pro tempore| Gary R. George (D)
Party control| Democratic
Assembly
Members| 99
Assembly Speaker| Scott Jensen (R)
Speaker pro tempore| Stephen Freese (R)
Party control| Republican
Sessions
| Regular| January 3, 2001 – January 6, 2003

|

Special sessions
| May 2001 Spec.| May 1, 2001 – May 3, 2001

|

Jan. 2002 Spec.| January 22, 2002 – July 8, 2002
May 2002 Spec.| May 13, 2002 – May 15, 2002

The Ninety-Fifth Wisconsin Legislature convened from January 3, 2001, to January 6, 2003, in regular session, and also convened in three special sessions.[1]

During this session, an exposé by the Wisconsin State Journal revealed sprawling corruption in both chambers and both parties in the Wisconsin Legislature. In what was referred to as the "caucus scandal", five legislators, including leaders of both major parties, were eventually implicated and prosecuted for extensive use of state-paid legislative employees for political purposes.[2][3]

Senators representing even-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 even-numbered senators were elected in the general election of November 7, 2000.[4] Senators representing odd-numbered districts were serving the third and fourth year of their four-year term, having been elected in the general election held on November 3, 1998.[5]

The governor of Wisconsin at the start of this term was Republican Tommy Thompson, of Juneau County, serving the beginning of the third year of his fourth four-year term, having won re-election in the 1998 Wisconsin gubernatorial election. Thompson resigned February 1, 2001, to accept appointment as United States Secretary of Health and Human Services. At that time, the lieutenant governor, Republican Scott McCallum, of Columbia County, then ascended to become governor for the remainder of this legislative term.

## Major events

[edit]

* January 20, 2001: Inauguration of George W. Bush as 43rd President of the United States.
* May 20, 2001: The Wisconsin State Journal published its initial exposé revealing state legislators had been misusing legislative staffers for political purposes.
* September 11, 2001: September 11 attacks destroyed the World Trade Center and damaged The Pentagon.
* October 1, 2001: Start of Operation Enduring Freedom.
* October 7, 2001: United States invasion of Afghanistan initiated the War in Afghanistan.
* May 30, 2002: A three-judge panel of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin published its decision in Baumgart v. Wendelberger, serving as the redistricting plan for Wisconsin for the 2000 United States census.
* November 5, 2002: 2002 United States general election:
* Jim Doyle (D) elected Governor of Wisconsin.

## Major legislation

[edit]

* August 31, 2001: An Act relating to: state finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2001 legislature, 2001 Act 16. Vetoed in part.

## Party summary

[edit]

### Senate summary

[edit]

Senate partisan composition

Democratic: 18 seats

Republican: 15 seats

| Party

(Shading indicates majority caucus)

| Total  |

|
|
|

|  |
Democratic | Republican | Vacant
End of previous Legislature | 17  | 15  | 32  | 1
Start of Reg. Session  | 18  | 15  | 33  | 0
from May 9, 2001[note 1] | 14  | 32  | 1
from July 18, 2001[note 2] | 15  | 33  | 0
Final voting share  | 54.55%  | 45.45%  |
Beginning of the next Legislature | 13  | 18  | 31  | 2

### Assembly summary

[edit]

Assembly partisan composition

Democratic: 43 seats

Republican: 56 seats

| Party

(Shading indicates majority caucus)

| Total  |

|
|
|

|  |
Democratic | Republican | Vacant
End of previous Legislature | 45  | 54  | 99  | 0
Start of Reg. Session  | 43  | 56  | 99  | 0
From Aug. 31, 2001[note 3] | 55  | 98  | 1
From Nov. 16, 2001[note 4] | 56  | 99  | 0
From Apr. 30, 2002[note 5] | 55  | 98  | 1
From Aug. 1, 2002[note 6] | 54  | 97  | 2
From Nov. 5, 2002[note 7] | 55  | 98  | 1
Final voting share  | 43.88%  | 56.12%  |
Beginning of the next Legislature | 41  | 58  | 99  | 0

## Sessions

[edit]

* Regular session: January 3, 2001 - January 6, 2003
* May 2001 special session: May 1, 2001 - May 3, 2001
* January 2002 special session: January 22, 2002 - July 8, 2002
* May 2002 special session: May 13, 2002 - May 15, 2002

## Leadership

[edit]

### Senate

[edit]

* President: Fred Risser (D–Madison)
* President pro tempore: Gary R. George (D–Milwaukee)

#### Majority Leadership

[edit]

* Majority Leader: Charles Chvala (D–Madison)
* Assistant Majority Leader: Rodney C. Moen (D–Whitehall)
* Majority Caucus Chair: Judy Robson (D–Beloit)

#### Minority Leadership

[edit]

* Minority Leader: Mary Panzer (R–West Bend)
* Assistant Minority Leader: Margaret Farrow (R–Pewaukee) (until May 9, 2001)
* Alan Lasee (R–Rockland) (after May 9, 2001)
* Minority Caucus Chair: David Zien (R–Wheaton)
* Minority Caucus Vice Chair: Carol Roessler (R–Oshkosh)

### Assembly

[edit]

* Speaker of the Assembly: Scott R. Jensen (R–Waukesha)
* Speaker pro tempore: Stephen Freese (R–Jamestown)

#### Majority Leadership

[edit]

* Majority Leader: Steven Foti (R–Oconomowoc)
* Assistant Majority Leader: Bonnie Ladwig (R–Mount Pleasant)
* Majority Caucus Chair: Daniel P. Vrakas (R–Delafield)

#### Minority Leadership

[edit]

* Minority Leader: Shirley Krug (D–Milwaukee) (until May 1, 2001)
* Spencer Black (D–Madison) (after May 1, 2001)
* Assistant Minority Leader: Spencer Black (D–Madison) (until May 1, 2001)
* James Kreuser (D–Kenosha) (after May 1, 2001)
* Minority Caucus Chair: Peter Bock (D–Milwaukee)

## Members

[edit]

### Members of the Senate

[edit]

Members of the Senate for the Ninety-Fifth Wisconsin Legislature:[6]

Senate partisan representation

Democratic: 18 seats

Republican: 15 seats

Dist.  | Senator  | Party  | Age
(2001)  | Home  | First
elected

|
|
|
|
|

01 | Alan Lasee | Rep.  | 63  | De Pere, Brown County | 1977
02 | Robert Cowles | Rep.  | 50  | Green Bay, Brown County | 1987
03 | Brian B. Burke | Dem.  | 42  | Milwaukee, Milwaukee County | 1988
04 | Gwen Moore | Dem.  | 49  | Milwaukee, Milwaukee County | 1992
05 | Peggy Rosenzweig | Rep.  | 64  | Wauwatosa, Milwaukee County | 1993
06 | Gary R. George | Dem.  | 46  | Milwaukee, Milwaukee County | 1980
07 | Richard Grobschmidt | Dem.  | 52  | South Milwaukee, Milwaukee County | 1995
08 | Alberta Darling | Rep.  | 56  | River Hills, Milwaukee County | 1992
09 | James Baumgart | Dem.  | 62  | Sheboygan, Sheboygan County | 1998
10 | Sheila Harsdorf | Rep.  | 44  | River Falls, Pierce County | 2000
11 | Joanne Huelsman | Rep.  | 62  | Waukesha, Waukesha County | 1990
12 | Roger Breske | Dem.  | 62  | Eland, Shawano County | 1990
13 | Scott L. Fitzgerald | Rep.  | 37  | Juneau, Dodge County | 1994
14 | Robert T. Welch | Rep.  | 42  | Redgranite, Waushara County | 1995
15 | Judy Robson | Dem.  | 61  | Beloit, Rock County | 1987
16 | Charles Chvala | Dem.  | 46  | Madison, Dane County | 1984
17 | Dale Schultz | Rep.  | 47  | Richland Center, Richland County | 1991
18 | Carol Roessler | Rep.  | 52  | Oshkosh, Winnebago County | 1987
19 | Michael G. Ellis | Rep.  | 59  | Neenah, Winnebago County | 1982
20 | Mary Panzer | Rep.  | 49  | West Bend, Washington County | 1993
21 | Kimberly Plache | Dem.  | 39  | Racine, Racine County | 1996
22 | Robert Wirch | Dem.  | 57  | Pleasant Prairie, Kenosha County | 1996
23 | David Zien | Rep.  | 50  | Eau Claire, Eau Claire County | 1993
24 | Kevin Shibilski | Dem.  | 39  | Stevens Point, Portage County | 1995
25 | Robert Jauch | Dem.  | 55  | Poplar, Douglas County | 1986
26 | Fred Risser | Dem.  | 73  | Madison, Dane County | 1962
27 | Jon Erpenbach | Dem.  | 39  | Middleton, Dane County | 1998
28 | Mary Lazich | Rep.  | 48  | New Berlin, Waukesha County | 1998
29 | Russ Decker | Dem.  | 47  | Schofield, Marathon County | 1990
30 | Dave Hansen | Dem.  | 53  | Green Bay, Brown County | 2000
31 | Rodney C. Moen | Dem.  | 63  | Whitehall, Trempealeau County | 1982
32 | Mark Meyer | Dem.  | 37  | La Crosse, La Crosse County | 2000
33 | Margaret Farrow (res. May 9, 2001) | Rep.  | 66  | Pewaukee, Waukesha County | 1989
Theodore Kanavas (from July 18, 2001) | Rep.  | 40  | Brookfield, Waukesha County | 2001

### Members of the Assembly

[edit]

Members of the Assembly for the Ninety-Fifth Wisconsin Legislature:[6]

Assembly partisan representation

Democratic: 43 seats

Republican: 56 seats

Senate
Dist.  | Dist.  | Representative  | Party  | Age
(2001)  | Home  | First
Elected

|
|
|
|
|
|

01 | 01 | Garey Bies | Rep.  | 54  | Sister Bay | 2000
02 | Frank Lasee | Rep.  | 39  | Bellevue | 1994
03 | Alvin Ott | Rep.  | 51  | Brillion | 1986
02 | 04 | Phil Montgomery | Rep.  | 43  | Ashwaubenon | 1998
05 | Lee Meyerhofer | Dem.  | 36  | Kaukauna | 1998
06 | John Ainsworth | Rep.  | 60  | Waukechon | 1990
03 | 07 | Peter Bock | Dem.  | 52  | Milwaukee | 1986
08 | Pedro Colón | Dem.  | 32  | Milwaukee | 1998
09 | Tim Carpenter | Dem.  | 40  | Milwaukee | 1984
04 | 10 | Annette Polly Williams | Dem.  | 63  | Milwaukee | 1980
11 | Johnnie E. Morris-Tatum | Dem.  | 49  | Milwaukee | 1992
12 | Shirley Krug | Dem.  | 42  | Milwaukee | 1984
05 | 13 | David Cullen | Dem.  | 40  | Milwaukee | 1990
14 | Scott Walker (res. Apr. 30, 2002) | Rep.  | 33  | Wauwatosa | 1993
Leah Vukmir (from Nov. 5, 2002) | Rep.  | 35  | Wauwatosa | 2002
15 | Tony Staskunas | Dem.  | 39  | West Allis | 1996
06 | 16 | Leon Young | Dem.  | 33  | Milwaukee | 1992
17 | Spencer Coggs | Dem.  | 51  | Milwaukee | 1982
18 | Antonio R. Riley | Dem.  | 37  | Milwaukee | 1992
07 | 19 | Jon Richards | Dem.  | 37  | Milwaukee | 1998
20 | Christine Sinicki | Dem.  | 40  | Milwaukee | 1998
21 | Jeffrey Plale | Dem.  | 32  | South Milwaukee | 1996
08 | 22 | Sheldon Wasserman | Dem.  | 39  | Milwaukee | 1994
23 | John La Fave | Dem.  | 51  | Milwaukee | 1992
24 | Suzanne Jeskewitz | Rep.  | 58  | Menomonee Falls | 1996
09 | 25 | Bob Ziegelbauer | Dem.  | 49  | Manitowoc | 1992
26 | Joe Leibham | Rep.  | 31  | Sheboygan | 1998
27 | Steve Kestell | Rep.  | 45  | Herman | 1998
10 | 28 | Mark Pettis | Rep.  | 50  | La Follette | 1998
29 | Joe Plouff | Dem.  | 50  | Menomonie | 1996
30 | Kitty Rhoades | Rep.  | 49  | Hudson | 1998
11 | 31 | Stephen Nass | Rep.  | 48  | Whitewater | 1990
32 | Scott R. Jensen | Rep.  | 40  | Waukesha | 1992
33 | Daniel P. Vrakas | Rep.  | 45  | Delafield | 1990
12 | 34 | Dan Meyer | Rep.  | 52  | Eagle River | 2000
35 | Donald Friske | Rep.  | 39  | Merrill | 1999
36 | Lorraine Seratti | Rep.  | 51  | Florence | 1992
13 | 37 | David W. Ward | Rep.  | 47  | Oakland | 1992
38 | Steven Foti | Rep.  | 42  | Oconomowoc | 1982
39 | Jeff Fitzgerald | Rep.  | 34  | Beaver Dam | 2000
14 | 40 | Jean Hundertmark | Rep.  | 46  | Larrabee | 1998
41 | Luther Olsen | Rep.  | 49  | Aurora | 1994
42 | Joan Wade (res. Aug. 31, 2001) | Rep.  | 38  | Montello | 1998
Jacob Hines (from Nov. 16, 2001 ) | Rep.  | 74  | Oxford | 2001
15 | 43 | Neal Kedzie | Rep.  | 44  | La Grange | 1996
44 | Wayne W. Wood | Dem.  | 70  | Janesville | 1976
45 | Dan Schooff | Dem.  | 29  | Beloit | 1998
16 | 46 | Tom Hebl | Dem.  | 55  | Sun Prairie | 1996
47 | Eugene Hahn | Rep.  | 71  | Springvale | 1990
48 | Mark F. Miller | Dem.  | 57  | Monona | 1998
17 | 49 | Gabe Loeffelholz | Rep.  | 60  | Platteville | 2000
50 | Sheryl Albers | Rep.  | 46  | Westfield | 1991
51 | Stephen Freese | Rep.  | 40  | Dodgeville | 1990
18 | 52 | John F. Townsend | Rep.  | 62  | Fond du Lac | 1998
53 | Carol Owens | Rep.  | 69  | Nekimi | 1992
54 | Gregg Underheim | Rep.  | 50  | Oshkosh | 1987
19 | 55 | Dean Kaufert | Rep.  | 43  | Neenah | 1990
56 | Terri McCormick | Rep.  | 44  | Appleton | 2000
57 | Steve Wieckert | Rep.  | 46  | Appleton | 1996
20 | 58 | Michael A. Lehman | Rep.  | 57  | Hartford | 1988
59 | Glenn Grothman | Rep.  | 45  | West Bend | 1993
60 | Timothy Hoven (res. Aug. 1, 2002) | Rep.  | 37  | Port Washington | 1994
\--Vacant from Aug. 1, 2002--
21 | 61 | Robert L. Turner | Dem.  | 53  | Racine | 1990
62 | John Lehman | Dem.  | 55  | Racine | 1996
63 | Bonnie Ladwig | Rep.  | 61  | Mount Pleasant | 1992
22 | 64 | James Kreuser | Dem.  | 45  | Kenosha | 1993
65 | John Steinbrink | Dem.  | 51  | Pleasant Prairie | 1996
66 | Samantha Starzyk | Rep.  | 26  | Randall | 2000
23 | 67 | Tom Sykora | Rep.  | 54  | Eagle Point | 1996
68 | Larry Balow | Dem.  | 57  | Eau Claire | 1998
69 | Scott Suder | Rep.  | 32  | Abbotsford | 1998
24 | 70 | MaryAnn Lippert | Rep.  | 47  | Pittsville | 2000
71 | Julie Lassa | Dem.  | 30  | Plover | 1998
72 | Marlin Schneider | Dem.  | 58  | Wisconsin Rapids | 1970
25 | 73 | Frank Boyle | Dem.  | 55  | Summit | 1986
74 | Gary E. Sherman | Dem.  | 51  | Port Wing | 1998
75 | Mary Hubler | Dem.  | 48  | Rice Lake | 1984
26 | 76 | Terese Berceau | Dem.  | 50  | Madison | 1998
77 | Spencer Black | Dem.  | 50  | Madison | 1984
78 | Mark Pocan | Dem.  | 36  | Madison | 1998
27 | 79 | Rick Skindrud | Rep.  | 56  | Primrose | 1993
80 | Mike Powers | Rep.  | 38  | Albany | 1994
81 | David Travis | Dem.  | 52  | Madison | 1978
28 | 82 | Jeff Stone | Rep.  | 39  | Greenfield | 1998
83 | Scott Gunderson | Rep.  | 44  | Norway | 1994
84 | Mark Gundrum | Rep.  | 30  | New Berlin | 1998
29 | 85 | Gregory Huber | Dem.  | 44  | Wausau | 1988
86 | Jerry Petrowski | Rep.  | 40  | Stettin | 1998
87 | Martin Reynolds | Dem.  | 50  | Ladysmith | 1990
30 | 88 | Judy Krawczyk | Rep.  | 61  | Green Bay | 2000
89 | John Gard | Rep.  | 37  | Peshtigo | 1987
90 | John Joseph Ryba | Dem.  | 71  | Green Bay | 1992
31 | 91 | Barbara Gronemus | Dem.  | 69  | Whitehall | 1982
92 | Terry Musser | Rep.  | 53  | Irving | 1984
93 | Robin Kreibich | Rep.  | 41  | Eau Claire | 1992
32 | 94 | Michael Huebsch | Rep.  | 36  | West Salem | 1994
95 | Jennifer Shilling | Dem.  | 31  | La Crosse | 2000
96 | DuWayne Johnsrud | Rep.  | 57  | Eastman | 1984
33 | 97 | Peggy Krusick | Dem.  | 44  | Milwaukee | 1983
98 | Marc C. Duff | Rep.  | 39  | New Berlin | 1988
99 | Frank Urban | Rep.  | 70  | Brookfield | 1989

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Republican Margaret Farrow (District 33) resigned after being appointed Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin.
2. ^ Republican Theodore Kanavas (District 33) sworn in to replace Margaret Farrow.
3. ^ Republican Joan Wade (42nd District) resigned.
4. ^ Republican Jacob Hines (42nd District) was sworn in to replace Joan Wade.
5. ^ Republican Scott Walker (14th District) resigned after his election as county executive.
6. ^ Republican Timothy Hoven (60th District) resigned.
7. ^ Republican Leah Vukmir (14th District) was sworn in to replace Scott Walker.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Historical Lists" (PDF). State of Wisconsin Blue Book 2023–2024 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. 2023. pp. 492–493, 496, 501, 513–514\. ISBN 978-1-7333817-2-7. Retrieved December 23, 2023.492-493,+496,+501,+513-514&rft.pub=Wisconsin+Legislative+Reference+Bureau&rft.date=2023&rft.isbn=978-1-7333817-2-7&rft_id=https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/misc/lrb/blue_book/2023_2024/180_historical_lists.pdf&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:95th+Wisconsin+Legislature" class="Z3988">
2. ^ Hall, Dee J. (May 20, 2001). "State employees secretly campaign". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
3. ^ Hall, Dee J.; Brinkman, Phil (March 12, 2006). "Jensen guilty; he's fifth lawmaker to fall in caucus scandal". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
4. ^ 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.
5. ^ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1999). "Elections" (PDF). In Barish, Lawrence S.; Meloy, Patricia E. (eds.). State of Wisconsin 1999-2000 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
6. ^ a b Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (2001). "Biographies". In Barish, Lawrence S.; Meloy, Patricia E. (eds.). State of Wisconsin 2001-2002 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. Retrieved January 15, 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* v
* t
* e

Wisconsin Legislatures

Michigan Territory Rump Council (1836)|

* "Rump Council" (1836)

Territorial Assemblies (1836–1848)|

* 1st (1836-1838)
* 2nd (1838-1840)
* 3rd (1840-1842)
* 4th (1842-1846)
* 5th (1847-1848)

State Legislatures (since 1848)|

* 1st (1848)
* 2nd (1849)
* 3rd (1850)
* 4th (1851)
* 5th (1852)
* 6th (1853)
* 7th (1854)
* 8th (1855)
* 9th (1856)
* 10th (1857)
* 11th (1858)
* 12th (1859)
* 13th (1860)
* 14th (1861)
* 15th (1862)
* 16th (1863)
* 17th (1864)
* 18th (1865)
* 19th (1866)
* 20th (1867)
* 21st (1868)
* 22nd (1869)
* 23rd (1870)
* 24th (1871)
* 25th (1872)
* 26th (1873)
* 27th (1874)
* 28th (1875)
* 29th (1876)
* 30th (1877)
* 31st (1878)
* 32nd (1879)
* 33rd (1880)
* 34th (1881)
* 35th (1882)
* 36th (1883)
* 37th (1885)
* 38th (1887)
* 39th (1889)
* 40th (1891)
* 41st (1893)
* 42nd (1895)
* 43rd (1897)
* 44th (1899)
* 45th (1901)
* 46th (1903)
* 47th (1905)
* 48th (1907)
* 49th (1909)
* 50th (1911)
* 51st (1913)
* 52nd (1915)
* 53rd (1917)
* 54th (1919)
* 55th (1921)
* 56th (1923)
* 57th (1925)
* 58th (1927)
* 59th (1929)
* 60th (1931)
* 61st (1933)
* 62nd (1935)
* 63rd (1937)
* 64th (1939)
* 65th (1941)
* 66th (1943)
* 67th (1945)
* 68th (1947)
* 69th (1949)
* 70th (1951)
* 71st (1953)
* 72nd (1955)
* 73rd (1957)
* 74th (1959)
* 75th (1961)
* 76th (1963)
* 77th (1965)
* 78th (1967)
* 79th (1969)
* 80th (1971)
* 81st (1973)
* 82nd (1975)
* 83rd (1977)
* 84th (1979)
* 85th (1981)
* 86th (1983)
* 87th (1985)
* 88th (1987)
* 89th (1989)
* 90th (1991)
* 91st (1993)
* 92nd (1995)
* 93rd (1997)
* 94th (1999)
* 95th (2001)
* 96th (2003)
* 97th (2005)
* 98th (2007)
* 99th (2009)
* 100th (2011)
* 101st (2013)
* 102nd (2015)
* 103rd (2017)
* 104th (2019)
* 105th (2021)
* 106th (2023)
* 107th (2025)

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template