State Treasurer of Wisconsin

American government office

State Treasurer of Wisconsin

Seal of the Office of the State Treasurer

Incumbent
John Leiber

since January 3, 2023

Style|

* Mister or Madam Treasurer
(informal)
* The Honorable
(formal)

Member of| Board of Commissioners of Public Lands
Seat| Wisconsin State Capitol
Madison, Wisconsin
Appointer| General election
Term length| Four years, no term limits
Constituting instrument| Wisconsin Constitution of 1848, Article VI
Inaugural holder| Jairus C. Fairchild
Formation| June 7, 1848
(177 years ago) (June 7, 1848)
Salary| $72,551[1]
Website| Official page

The state treasurer of Wisconsin is a constitutional officer in the executive branch of the government of the U.S. state of Wisconsin.[2] Thirty-six individuals have held the office since statehood. The incumbent is John Leiber, a Republican.

## Election and term of office

[edit]

The state treasurer is elected on Election Day in November, and takes office on the first Monday of the next January.[3] There is no limit to the number of terms a state treasurer may hold. From 1848 to 1968, the state treasurer was elected to a two-year term in the November general election. Since 1970, following ratification of a constitutional amendment in April 1967, the state treasurer has been elected to a four-year term.

In the event of a vacancy in the office of the state treasurer, the governor may appoint a replacement to fill the remainder of the term. The state treasurer may be removed from office through an impeachment trial.[4]

## Powers and duties

[edit]

In Wisconsin, the state treasurer is the chief banker of state government, signing checks, share drafts, and other drafts drawn on state funds by the Department of Administration; this role extends to the State Investment Fund and the Public Employee Trust Fund, which are managed by independent state agencies.[5][6][7] The state treasurer also makes certified copies of deeds, bonds, and other documents filed with his or her office and promotes Wisconsin's unclaimed property program.[8][9] Furthermore, the state treasurer assists in the administration of the County Mining Investment Fund and receives and deposits payments for certain Great Lakes fisheries-related surcharges into the Conservation Fund.[10][11][12][13] Occasional functions performed by the state treasurer include approving the amounts and sureties filed with the Department of Administration in connection to the Department of Revenue's receipt of paid income and franchise taxes, receiving payments from the Banking Division in connection with liquidation proceedings of banks, acknowledging the satisfaction and discharge of certain mortgages involving the state, and conducting training conferences for municipal clerks and treasurers.[14][15][16]

Aside from the office's functional responsibilities, the state treasurer is a member of the Board of Directors of the Insurance Security Fund and of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands.[17][18]

## Reduction of powers and office dissolution attempts

[edit]

Since the 1990s, most duties vested in the state treasurer's office have gradually been eliminated or transferred to other state agencies. 1995 Wisconsin Act 27 eliminated the office's securities section, which had the responsibility of safekeeping securities purchased by the State of Wisconsin Investment Board.[19] 1997 Wisconsin Act 27 transferred the Division of Trust Lands and Investment, which altogether comprises the staff of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, to the Wisconsin Department of Administration.[20] Most notably, 2003 Wisconsin Act 33 transferred the cash and debt management functions of the state treasurer's office to the Department of Administration.[21] Moreover, 2011 Wisconsin Act 32 transferred the state's version of a 529 plan, known as EdVest, to the Department of Administration. The same act also transferred the Local Government Investment Pool and corresponding management services functions to the Department of Administration.[22] Later, 2013 Wisconsin Act 20 transferred the state treasurer's Unclaimed Property Program to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.[23] As a result of these interagency transfers, the office of State Treasurer in Wisconsin is institutionally the weakest directly elected member of the National Association of State Treasurers, according to state-by-state analyses published by the Council of State Governments, and the only state treasurer nationwide not responsible for cash management.[24]

On October 27, 2015, the Wisconsin State Assembly approved an amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution to abolish the state treasurer's office, Assembly Joint Resolution 5 (AJR 5), with 63 "yea" votes and 33 "nay" votes. The Wisconsin State Senate approved AJR 5 on January 20, 2016. The first approval of the amendment was enrolled on March 15, 2016. Because this measure was approved by both chambers of the Wisconsin State Legislature, the Wisconsin Elimination of State Treasurer Amendment was placed on the 2018 spring general election ballot on April 3, 2018.[25] The referendum was defeated, with 62% of voters statewide choosing to retain the office with a "no" vote against amending the constitution to eliminate the office.[26]

## List of state treasurers

[edit]

Number of state treasurers of Wisconsin by party affiliation  Party  | Treasurers

|

Republican | 23
Democratic | 9
Progressive | 1
None  | 1

This is a list of state treasurers of Wisconsin.

Democratic Republican Progressive

#  | Image  | State Treasurer  | Party  | Took office  | Left office[note 1]

|
|
|
|
|

1  |  | Jairus C. Fairchild | Democratic | June 7, 1848[27] | January 5, 1852
2  |  | Edward H. Janssen[note 2] | Democratic  | January 5, 1852[27] | January 7, 1856
3  |  | Charles Kuehn | Democratic  | January 7, 1856[27] | January 4, 1858
4  |  | Samuel D. Hastings | Republican | January 4, 1858[27] | January 1, 1866
5  |  | William E. Smith | Republican  | January 1, 1866[27] | January 3, 1870
6  |  | Henry Baetz | Republican  | January 3, 1870[27] | January 5, 1874
7  |  | Ferdinand Kuehn | Democratic  | January 5, 1874[27] | January 7, 1878
8  |  | Richard Guenther | Republican  | January 7, 1878[27] | January 2, 1882
9  |  | Edward C. McFetridge | Republican  | January 2, 1882[27] | January 3, 1887
10  |  | Henry B. Harshaw | Republican  | January 3, 1887[27] | January 5, 1891
11  |  | John Hunner | Democratic  | January 5, 1891[27] | January 7, 1895
12  |  | Sewell A. Peterson | Republican  | January 7, 1895[27] | January 2, 1899
13  |  | James O. Davidson | Republican  | January 2, 1899[27] | January 5, 1903
14  |  | John J. Kempf[note 3] | Republican  | January 5, 1903  | July 30, 1904[29]
15  |  | Thomas M. Purtell[note 4] | Republican  | July 30, 1904[29] | January 2, 1905
16  |  | John J. Kempf  | Republican  | January 2, 1905[27] | January 7, 1907
17  |  | Andrew H. Dahl | Republican  | January 7, 1907[27] | January 6, 1913
18  |  | Henry Johnson | Republican  | January 6, 1913[27] | January 1, 1923
19  |  | Solomon Levitan | Republican  | January 1, 1923[27] | January 2, 1933
20  |  | Robert K. Henry | Democratic  | January 2, 1933[30] | January 4, 1937
21  |  | Solomon Levitan  | Progressive | January 4, 1937[31] | January 2, 1939
22  |  | John M. Smith[note 5] | Republican  | January 2, 1939[32] | August 17, 1947[29]
vacant | August 17, 1947  | August 19, 1947
23  |  | John L. Sonderegger[note 4][note 6] | Republican  | August 19, 1947[29] | September 30, 1948[29]
vacant | September 30, 1948  | October 1, 1948
24  |  | Clyde M. Johnston[note 7] | none  | October 1, 1948[29] | January 3, 1949
25  |  | Warren R. Smith[note 5] | Republican  | January 3, 1949[33] | December 4, 1957[29]
vacant | December 4, 1957  | December 5, 1957
26  |  | Dena A. Smith[note 4] | Republican  | December 5, 1957[29] | January 5, 1959
27  |  | Eugene M. Lamb | Democratic  | January 5, 1959[34] | January 2, 1961
28  |  | Dena A. Smith[note 5] | Republican  | January 2, 1961[35] | February 20, 1968[29]
vacant | February 20, 1968  | February 21, 1968
29  |  | Harold W. Clemens[note 4] | Republican  | February 21, 1968[29] | January 4, 1971
30  |  | Charles P. Smith | Democratic  | January 4, 1971[36] | January 7, 1991
31  |  | Cathy Zeuske | Republican  | January 7, 1991[37] | January 3, 1995
32  |  | Jack Voight | Republican  | January 3, 1995[38] | January 3, 2007
33  |  | Dawn Marie Sass | Democratic  | January 3, 2007[39] | January 3, 2011
34  |  | Kurt W. Schuller | Republican  | January 3, 2011  | January 5, 2015
35  |  | Matt Adamczyk | Republican  | January 5, 2015  | January 7, 2019
36  |  | Sarah Godlewski | Democratic  | January 7, 2019  | January 2, 2023
37  |  | John Leiber | Republican  | January 3, 2023  | Incumbent

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ When there is no evidence to the contrary, it is assumed that state treasurers left office the same day their successors were sworn in.
2. ^ Contemporary newspaper accounts indicate that the second state treasurer's surname was "Jansson";[28] recent editions of the Wisconsin Blue Books, however, list his surname as "Jansen".[29]
3. ^ Failed to give the required bond.
4. ^ a b c d Appointed to fill vacancy.
5. ^ a b c Died in office.
6. ^ Resigned to become state insurance commissioner.
7. ^ Appointed from staff.

## See also

[edit]

* Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public Lands

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Salaries of Wisconsin State Elected Officials (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. 2019. p. 2. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
2. ^ "Article VI, Section 3, Wisconsin Constitution". Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
3. ^ Barish, Lawrence S., ed. (2007). "Chapter 3: Wisconsin Constitution (Article XIII)". State of Wisconsin Blue Book 2007-2008 (PDF). Madison, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. p. 234\. ISBN 978-0-9752820-2-1. Retrieved May 10, 2008.[permanent dead link]
4. ^ Barish, Lawrence S., ed. (2007). "Chapter 3: Wisconsin Constitution (Article VII)". State of Wisconsin Blue Book 2007-2008 (PDF). Madison, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. p. 218\. ISBN 978-0-9752820-2-1. Retrieved May 10, 2008.[permanent dead link]
5. ^ "14.58 (1), Wis. Stats". Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
6. ^ "25.19 (1), Wis. Stats". Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
7. ^ "40.03 (4), Wis. Stats". Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
8. ^ "14.58 (11), Wis. Stats". Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
9. ^ "14.58 (4), Wis. Stats". Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
10. ^ "25.65, Wis. Stats". Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
11. ^ "29.984 (1) (f), Wis. Stats". Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
12. ^ "29.9905 (1) (d), Wis. Stats". Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
13. ^ "29.991 (1) (c), Wis. Stats". Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
14. ^ "708.07, Wis. Stats". Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
15. ^ "71.80 (1) (e), Wis. Stats". Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
16. ^ "221.0802, Wis. Stats". Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
17. ^ "646.12 (1) (a) 1., Wis. Stats". Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
18. ^ "Homepage". Board of Commissioners of Public Lands. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
19. ^ "1995 Wisconsin Act 27". Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
20. ^ "1997 Wisconsin Act 27". Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
21. ^ "2003 Wisconsin Act 33" (PDF). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
22. ^ "2011 Wisconsin Act 32" (PDF). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
23. ^ "2013 Wisconsin Act 20". Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
24. ^ "Responsibilities of the Treasurer's Office". The Council of State Governments. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
25. ^ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau, "2015 Enrolled Joint Resolution 7: Constitutional Amendment Approved on First Consideration to Eliminate the Office of the State Treasurer," June 2016
26. ^ "Wisconsin voters choose to keep state treasurer's office". Wisconsin State Journal. April 4, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
27. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Anderson, William J. (1929). William A. Anderson (ed.). The Wisconsin blue book, 1929. Madison, Wisconsin: Democrat Printing Company. p. 148. Retrieved June 10, 2008.
28. ^ "EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE: "Except these Bonds"" (PDF). Daily Free Democrat. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. January 20, 1852. p. 2. Retrieved August 25, 2008.
29. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Barish, Lawrence S., ed. (2007). "Chapter 8: Statistical Information on Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin Blue Book 2007-2008 (PDF). Madison, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 722–723\. ISBN 978-0-9752820-2-1. Archived from the original on August 11, 2011. Retrieved June 6, 2008.
30. ^ "SCHMEDEMAN IS MADE GOVERNOR" (PDF). Ironwood Daily Globe. Ironwood, Michigan. January 2, 1933. p. 1. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
31. ^ "New Administrations Started" (PDF). Oshkosh Daily Northwestern. Oshkosh, Wisconsin. January 4, 1937. p. 6. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
32. ^ "Gov. Julius P. Heil Takes Office" (PDF). The Sheboygan Press. Sheboygan, Wisconsin. January 2, 1939. p. 1. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
33. ^ "Rennebohm Inaugurated for Own Term as Governor" (PDF). Waukesha Daily Freeman. Waukesha, Wisconsin. January 3, 1949. p. 2. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
34. ^ "Gaylord Nelson Becomes State's 34th Governor" (PDF). Stevens Point Daily Journal. Stevens Point, Wisconsin. January 5, 1959. p. 1. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
35. ^ "State Officers Inaugurated" (PDF). Wisconsin State Journal. Madison, Wisconsin. January 3, 1961. p. 2. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
36. ^ "Lucey Hopes to Bridge Troubled State Waters" (PDF). Wisconsin State Journal. Madison, Wisconsin. January 5, 1971. pp. 1–2. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
37. ^ "Thompson takes oath, praises school choice" (PDF). Ironwood Daily Globe. Ironwood, Michigan. January 8, 1991. p. 7. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
38. ^ "TWO CAPITOLS FEEL CHANGE IN THE AIR". St. Paul Pioneer Press. St. Paul, Minnesota. January 4, 1995. p. 1A. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
39. ^ "At inauguration, Doyle keeps focus on health care, schools; Legislative leaders make bipartisan pledges after Capitol ceremonies". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. January 4, 2007. p. B1. ProQuest 263656000.

## External links

[edit]

* Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public Lands
* Wisconsin Insurance Security Fund

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Wisconsin portal

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State treasurers of the United States

United States Secretary of the Treasury: ▌Scott Bessent (R)

▌Young Boozer (R)

▌Adam Crum (R)

▌Kimberly Yee (R)

▌John Thurston (R)

▌Fiona Ma (D)

▌Dave Young (D)

▌Erick Russell (D)

▌Colleen Davis (D)

▌Blaise Ingoglia (R)

▌Steve N. McCoy

▌Luis Salaveria

▌Julie Ellsworth (R)

▌Mike Frerichs (D)

▌Dan Elliott (R)

▌Roby Smith (R)

▌Steven C. Johnson (R)

▌Mark Metcalf (R)

▌John Fleming (R)

▌Joe Perry (D)

▌Dereck Davis (D)

▌Deb Goldberg (D)

▌Rachael Eubanks

▌Erin Campbell

▌David McRae (R)

▌Vivek Malek (R)

▌Brendan Beatty

▌Tom Briese (R)

▌Zach Conine (D)

▌Monica Mezzapelle

▌Liz Muoio (D)

▌Laura Montoya (D)

▌Thomas DiNapoli (D)

▌Brad Briner (R)

▌Thomas Beadle (R)

▌Robert Sprague (R)

▌Todd Russ (R)

▌Elizabeth Steiner (D)

▌Stacy Garrity (R)

▌James Diossa (D)

▌Curtis Loftis (R)

▌Josh Haeder (R)

▌David Lillard (R)

▌Kelly Hancock* (R)

▌Marlo Oaks (R)

▌Mike Pieciak (D)

▌David L. Richardson (I)

▌Mike Pellicciotti (D)

▌Larry Pack (R)

▌John Leiber (R)

▌Curt Meier (R)

Federal districts:

▌Glen Lee

Territories:

Malemo Tausaga

Marie Lizama

Tracy Norita

Ángel Pantoja (NPP)

Kevin McCurdy

Political party affiliations:

* ▌26 Republican (26 states)
* ▌16 Democratic (16 states)
* ▌1 Independent (1 state)
* ▌13 Nonpartisan (7 states, 1 district, 5 territories)

italics indicate closest equivalent to treasurer in this state

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Constitutional officers of Wisconsin

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