• Elections - Wisconsin State Legislature

• No Statewide Elections in Wisconsin in 2008

• Wisconsin's U.S. House Delegation

• Key Dates

• Incumbent Members of the Wisconsin Legislature Not Seeking Re-election

• Co-chairs of Global Warming Task Force Present Proposals

Wisconsin State Legislature
All 99 seats in the State Assembly will be filled by election this fall as they are every two years. As noted above, the Republicans currently have a 52 to 47 majority in the Assembly. The Republican majority has, however, decreased in recent elections and a fierce battle for control of the Assembly is anticipated.

In the Senate, 16 of the 33 seats will be contested this year. Senators in Wisconsin serve staggered four-year terms with the even-numbered districts up this year. The Republicans were in the majority as recently as the 2005-06 session and will seek to regain control in what is viewed, however, as an uphill battle. The current vacant seat was considered fairly safe for the Democrats with incumbent Roger Breske (before his appointment as Railroad Commissioner), but is now considered very competitive.

No Statewide Elections in Wisconsin in 2008
Voters in Wisconsin will not be electing a Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State or State Treasurer. These offices hold elections every four years for four-year terms in non-Presidential election even-numbered years.

The only other non-judicial constitutional officer, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, is a non-partisan office that is elected every four years in an odd numbered year (the last being 2005) in the Spring election.

Neither U.S. Senate seat is on the ballot since the seats held by senators Feingold and Kohl are up in 2010 and 2012 respectively. Roughly one-third of the 100 members of the U.S. Senate are elected every two years to staggered six-year terms.

Wisconsin’s U.S. House Delegation
All eight of Wisconsin’s U.S. House of Representatives Districts, like all other seats in the 435 member body, are up for election in 2008, as is the case every two years. All incumbents - Ryan (R-1^st), Tammy Baldwin (D-2^nd), Ron Kind (D-3^rd), Gwen Moore (D-4^th), Jim Sensenbrenner (R-5^th), Tom Petri (R-6^th), Dave Obey (D-7^th) and Steve Kagen (D-8^th) are expected, or have announced their intentions, to seek re-election.

Early indications are that the 8^th District race is likely to be the most competitive.

Key Dates

• Nomination Papers are circulated between June 1, 2008 and July 8, 2008.

• The partisan Primary Election - where there is more than one candidate in either or both parties - will be held on Sept. 9, 2008.

• The general election is Nov. 4, 2008, which coincides with the presidential election and the election of members of the U. S. House of Representatives and the U. S. Senate across the country.

Incumbent Members of the Wisconsin Legislature Not Seeking Re-election
The following members of the State Legislature have announced that they will not be seeking re-election this fall. We salute and thank all of these members for their service and dedication to the people of the State of Wisconsin. It is not an easy job!

Assembly: 11 incumbents are leaving the Assembly - six Republicans, five Democrats. The retiring members are listed by name, party affiliation, community and the year in which he/she was first elected.

• Dave Travis, D-Waunakee (1978)

• Barbara Gronemus, D-Whitehall (1982)

• Terry Musser, R-Black River Falls (1984)

• Frank Boyle, D-Superior (1986)

• Gene Hahn, R-Cambria (1990)

• Sheryl Albers, R-Reedsburg (1991)

• Carol Owens, R-Oshkosh (1992)

• Jim Kreuser, D-Kenosha (1993)

• Sheldon Wasserman, D-Milwaukee (1994)

• Suzanne Jeskewitz, R-Menomonee Falls (1996)

• Steve Wieckert, R-Appleton (1996)

(Wasserman is running for the State Senate’s 8th District seat; Kreuser is leaving to become Kenosha County Executive.)

Senate: Two incumbents are leaving the Senate - one Democrat and one Republican.

• Carol Roessler, R-Oshkosh (Elected to State Assembly in 1982 and State Senate in 1987)

• Roger Breske, D-Eland (1990)

(Breske was recently appointed Commissioner of Railroads.)

Co-chairs of Global Warming Task Force Present Proposals
On June 10, the Co-Chairs of Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming presented their proposal on issues that to date had no consensus from Task Force members. This “strawman proposal” addresses the following issues:

Cap and Trade. For the first 10 years, 90 percent of emission allowances should be allocated to covered entities, not auctioned. They should not be free. Instead, a $2 per allowance fee should be imposed.

California Cars. Support opting into the California vehicle standards that are more aggressive than current federal CAFE standards.

Low-Carbon Fuels Standard. Develop a declining GHG emissions profile measured in CO2-equivalent gram per unit of fuel energy (BTUs). The standard will be measured on a life-cycle basis to include all emissions from fuel consumption and production, including upstream emissions.

Early Action to Reduce Emissions. Utilities file greenhouse gas emissions inventories, plan for voluntary reductions with costs and impacts, and identification and analysis of other measures that could be taken. The PSC reviews voluntary actions and goals and utilities publicly report on progress.

Enhanced Renewable Portfolio Standard Revisions. 10 percent by 2013, 20 percent by 2020 and 25 percent by 2025;  No expiration of renewable energy credits;  Expansion of what qualifies;  6 percent of the 20 percent by 2020 must come from Wisconsin-based renewable;  10 percent of the 25 percent by 2025 must be Wisconsin-sourced, including Great Lakes wind.

Long-Term Generation Options. In addition to carbon capture and sequestration study, Wisconsin’s nuclear moratorium would be modified once enhanced energy efficiency and renewable policies are in place.

In addition to the more contentious issues which the Strawman proposes to resolve, the Task Force has developed other policy ideas that can be found on the Policy Templates page and in the interim report, A Wisconsin Strategy for Reducing Global Warming [PDF 4.8MB].

After the Co-chairs have reviewed all comments, the Task Force will meet on June 26 to vote on a revised Co-chairs’ proposal and then issue a Final Report in July.

Co-chair's Joint Statement [PDF 14KB]

Highlights of Strawman Proposal [PDF 20KB]

Comprehensive Strawman Proposal [PDF 86KB]

Miller making second run for assembly: Tomah Journal, June 16, 2008. He has decided to run again in 2008 after a loss to 92nd District Representative Terry Musser in 2006.

Corn drowns just as global demand soars: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, June 16, 2008. Flooding sinks farmers’ efforts to fill food, fuel needs.

State overtime audit is troubling (opinion): Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, June 15, 2008. Supervisors and lawmakers need to clamp down on what a reasonable person would consider cases of excessive overtime.

Cost for proposed coal plant up 50 percent from 1st estimate: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, June 15, 2008. Alliant said if its Cassville plant is approved, it will implement at least $500 million worth of efforts to cut greenhouse-gas emissions at its current plants.

Gas stations with old-time pumps are being forced to upgrade: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, June 15, 2008. Are difficult and expensive to upgrade.

Democrats fired up: Stevens Point Journal, June 14, 2008. Doyle, state congressional leaders rally party delegates.

Energy savvy up, says Johnson Controls exec: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, June 12, 2008. Company holds forum in Washington.

For more Wisconsin News, go to Hamilton Consulting News Clips.

June 18

• Rep. Sam Kerkman (R-Burlington), Burlington

June 22

• U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold (D), Milwaukee

• U.S. Rep. Tom Petri (R), Ripon

June 23

• Rep. Tom Nelson (D-Kaukauna), Town of Freedom

• Lou Ann Weix (D) 90th AD candidate, Middleton

• Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Horicon), Middleton

• U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R), Milwaukee

June 24

• Rep. Garey Bies (R-Sister Bay), Sturgeon Bay

June 25

• Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Horicon), Middleton

• Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills), Madison

• Sen. Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay), Madison

For details, go to Hamilton Consulting Fundraiser Calendar.

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