The Third Branch
Court greets new legislators, committee members
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Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson leads a joint informational meeting of members of the Court and two state legislative committees that handle justice-related topics. Seated next to the Chief Justice are Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Glenn Grothman, R-West Bend, and Rep. Jim Ott, R-Mequon, chair of the Assembly Judiciary Committee. |
By Nancy Rottier, Legislative Liaison
As part of its ongoing inter-branch relations program, the Wisconsin Supreme Court met in January with new legislators and members of two legislative committees that work on justice-related issues.
On Jan. 22, the Court held an informational and "get acquainted" session with the members of the Assembly Judiciary Committee and the Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee.
The hour-long meeting was designed to discuss issues of mutual concern and to allow members and justices to ask relevant questions. Issues discussed included the expected agenda for the committees, the role of treatment courts, regulation of attorneys and the diploma privilege.
Additional meetings are being scheduled with other relevant standing committees.
On Jan. 8, Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson led a briefing session for more than 20 new legislators who were participating in the Legislative Council's New Legislator Orientation. Justices David T. Prosser and Michael J. Gableman also attended the briefing session in the Supreme Court Hearing Room.
The Chief Justice discussed the court system's interaction with the Legislature and ways in which court system personnel can assist legislators, and introduced court staff. Director of State Courts A. John Voelker outlined the administrative structure of the court system, and Legislative Liaison Nancy Rottier reviewed the role of her office in presenting the court's position on pending legislation and in helping legislators answer questions they may receive from constituents.
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Justice David T. Prosser discusses the work of the Supreme Court during the Legislative Council's orientation program for new legislators with Legislative Council Staff Atty. Anna Henning and Rep. Debra Kolste, D-Janesville, as Legislative Council Staff Atty. Jessica Ozalp looks on. |
Legislature begins session
The new Legislature was sworn in for its 2013-2014 term on Jan. 7. Republicans hold the majority in both houses: 18-15 in the state Senate; 60-39 in the Assembly.
A Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB) profile of the Legislature indicates there are 24 men and nine women in the Senate, including two African-Americans. The average age of a senator is 57, making this the oldest Senate since at least 1943, with ages ranging from 32 years to 85 years. Twenty-six senators have prior service in the Assembly, and 17 senators have served as elected officials in local government.
The Assembly is made up of 75 men and 24 women, including three African-Americans and one Hispanic. Nearly half, or 48 representatives, have had experience in local elected office, according to the LRB.
Of the 132 members of the Legislature, there are 27 who are new to the Legislature, and nearly one-half of the members are in either their first or second session. It is the first state Assembly since 1985 in which a majority of members are in their first or second terms, only the second time this has occurred since 1973. Three senators and 11 representatives hold law degrees, although not all have been active in practicing law.
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Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson swears in Rep. Debra Kolste, D-Janesville, during a Jan. 3 ceremony in the Supreme Court Hearing Room. |
Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson discusses the work of the Supreme Court and the judicial branch with new legislators during the Legislative Council's orientation program for new legislators. |
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Among new members of the Legislature sworn into office by Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson (right) during January was Rep. Evan Goyke, D-Milwaukee (center), son of court system Legislative Liaison Nancy Rottier (left) and husband Gary Goyke. Also pictured is Evan's girlfriend Gabriela Leija. |
Supreme Court Justice Patience Drake Roggensack swore in new members of the state Senate during a ceremony in the Senate Chambers at the Capitol on Jan. 3. |