Legislative Notes

SEPTEMBER 28 IS LEGISLATIVE DAY

BY SCOTT STENGER, STENGER GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Our lives are thankfully returning to familiar predictability. Customers are now visiting Wisconsin’s restaurants, taverns and supper clubs with a vengeance. One of the last life-altering effects of COVID-19 is TLW Legislative Day, however, which is set for Sept. 28. Unlike the cancellation of three TLW conventions, COVID-19 could not take down our Legislative Day. We hosted one in early March 2020 and now a later date in 2021 ensures COVID-19 can’t stop TLW members from coming to Madison to lobby their legislators.

Although we’re moving Legislative Day to fall this year, it remains one of the most important events for TLW members. It is the chance to meet with your state senator and representative to discuss your issues of concern as a member of the hospitality industry. Make plans to attend TLW Legislative Day on Sept. 28.

2021-22 Legislature

After being sworn in, legislators returned to the Capitol on Jan. 4, 2021, to begin the two-year legislative session. For the first time since 1956, Sen. Fred Risser (D-Madison) was not a member of the Wisconsin Legislature. The 93-year-old senator first served in the state Assembly from 1956 to 1961 and then the state Senate from 1962 until 2020. Sen. Risser holds the record for the longest serving member in a state legislature in U.S. history. Sen. Risser also served more than two decades as the Senate president.

In the Senate, Republicans will hold a 21-12 majority. Longtime Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald won a seat in Congress and Sen. Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) now leads the state Senate as majority leader.

Senate leadership

• Majority Leader: Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) • Minority Leader: Janet Bewley (D-Mason) • Senate President: Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield) • President Pro Tempore: Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point)

In the state Assembly, Republicans hold a 60-38 majority, with one vacancy. State Rep. Robin Vos returns as the Speaker of the State Assembly.

Although we’re moving Legislative Day to fall this year, it remains one of the most important events for TLW members. It is the chance to meet with your state senator and representative to discuss your issues of concern as a member of the hospitality industry.

New state senators

District 10: Robert Stafsholt (R-New Richmond) District 12: Mary Felzkowski (R-Irma) District 13: John Jagler (R-Watertown) District 14: Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) District 16: Melissa Agard (D-Madison) District 26: Kelda Helen Roys (D-Madison) District 28: Julian Bradley (R-Franklin) District 30: Eric Wimberger (R-Green Bay) District 32: Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska)

New state representatives

District 8: Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D-Milwaukee) District 11: Dora Drake (D-Milwaukee) District 13: Sara Rodriguez (D-Brookfield) District 17: Supreme Moore Omokunde (D-Milwaukee) District 23: Deb Andraca (D-Whitefish Bay) District 29: Clint Moses (R-Menomonie) District 35: Calvin Callahan (R-Tomahawk) District 37: Vacant – To Be Filled on July 13 District 41: Alex Dallman (R-Green Lake) District 44: Sue Conley (D-Janesville) District 48: Samba Baldeh (D-Madison) District 55: Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R-Appleton) District 57: Lee Snodgrass (D-Appleton) District 69: Donna Rozar (R-Marshfield) District 75: David Armstrong (R-Rice Lake) District 76: Francesca Hong (D-Madison) District 89: Elijah Behnke (R-Oconto) District 90: Kristina Shelton (D-Green Bay)

To register for TLW Legislative Day, please visit tlw.org. For more information about your state elected officials, please visit tlw.org/government-affairs/contact-officials. TLW

Assembly leadership

• Assembly Speaker: Robin Vos (R-Rochester) • Speaker Pro Tempore: Tyler August (R-Lake Geneva)

The Legislature will have a new look this year as well due to a fairly large turnover in membership. The state Senate has nine new members and the state Assembly has 17. This equates to a turnover rate of approximately 20%. The Legislature’s new members are listed below.