The Ninety-Ninth Wisconsin Legislature was convened on January 5, 2009. The session was scheduled to end on January 3, 2011, and the final adjournment for regular legislative activity occurred on May 26, 2010. During the course of the 99th Legislature, there were two Special sessions and four Extraordinary sessions called for various legislative purposes.

Major events

* January 20, 2009:

Inauguration In government and politics, inauguration is the process of swearing a person into office and thus making that person the incumbent. Such an inauguration commonly occurs through a formal ceremony or special event, which may also include an inaugu ...

Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II ( ; born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, Obama was the first African-American president of the U ...

as the 44th

President of the United States The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States of America. The president directs the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United Stat ...

. * February 17, 2009:

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) (), nicknamed the Recovery Act, was a stimulus package enacted by the 111th U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Barack Obama in February 2009. Developed in response to the Gr ...

was signed into law by President Obama. * March 6, 2009: The

Dow Jones Industrial Average The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), Dow Jones, or simply the Dow (), is a stock market index of 30 prominent companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States. The DJIA is one of the oldest and most commonly followed equity inde ...

hit 6,443.27, its lowest level of the

Financial crisis of 2007–2008 Finance is the study and discipline of money, currency and capital assets. It is related to, but not synonymous with economics, the study of production, distribution, and consumption of money, assets, goods and services (the discipline of fi ...

. Down 54% from its peak at 14,164 on October 9, 2007. * May 12, 2009: The Wisconsin Senate called an Extraordinary session to deal with Assembly Bill 255 — relating to eligibility for unemployment benefits and other matters relating to disbursement of funds from the federal

. * June 9, 2009: The Wisconsin Senate called an Extraordinary session to deal with Senate Bill 232 — relating to payment of funds to state public schools. * June 24, 2009: Wisconsin Governor

Jim Doyle James Edward Doyle, Jr., (born November 23, 1945) is an American attorney and politician who served as the 44th governor of Wisconsin, serving from January 6, 2003 to January 3, 2011. In his first election to the governorship, he defeated incu ...

called a Special session of the Legislature to act upon legislation relating to the hospital assessment, medical assistance and collecting federal revenue related to the assessment. * December 16, 2009: The Wisconsin Senate called an Extraordinary session to deal with Senate Bill 66 — relating to laws on

driving under the influence Driving under the influence (DUI)—also called driving while impaired, impaired driving, driving while intoxicated (DWI), drunk driving, operating while intoxicated (OWI), operating under the influence (OUI), operating vehicle under the infl ...

of alcohol. * December 16, 2009: Wisconsin Governor

called a Special session of the Legislature to act on Senate Bill 405 and Assembly Bill 534 — relating to rules governing the

Milwaukee Public Schools Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) is the largest school district in Wisconsin. As of the 2015–16 school year, MPS served 75,568 students in 154 schools and had 9,636 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff positions. The Milwaukee Public Schools system i ...

. * November 2, 2010: Scott Walker

elected Elected may refer to: * "Elected" (song), by Alice Cooper, 1973 * ''Elected'' (EP), by Ayreon, 2008 *The Elected, an American indie rock band See also *Election An election is a formal group decision-making process by which a populatio ...

45th

Governor of Wisconsin The governor of Wisconsin is the head of government of Wisconsin and the commander-in-chief of the state's army and air forces. The governor has a duty to enforce state laws, and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Wiscons ...

Major legislation

* January 29, 2009: Act relating to payment of Wisconsin supplemental and extended unemployment insurance benefits in this state
2009 Wisc. Act 1
* May 15, 2009: Act relating to eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits and payment of extended benefits; excluding recovery and reinvestment act moneys from the calculation of expenditure restraint payments; eligibility for participation in the programs of a community action agency; financial assistance under the Clean Water Fund Program and the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program; the confidentiality of pupil records provided to the Department of Public Instruction; financial assistance for criminal justice programs; authorizing political subdivisions to make residential energy efficiency improvement loans and impose special charges for the loans; definition of low-income household under energy and weatherization assistance programs; eligibility and notice changes for state continuation of coverage for health insurance; changes to enterprise zone jobs credits; state aid to school districts; providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures; granting rule-making authority; and making an appropriation
2009 Wisc. Act 11
* June 11, 2009: Act relating to the payment of state school aid in June 2009
2009 Wisc. Act 23
* December 22, 2009: Act relating to operating a vehicle while intoxicated, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty
2009 Wisc. Act 100
— lowering the legal blood-alcohol limit for operating a vehicle from 0.1 to 0.08, among other changes to law. * May 18, 2010: Act relating to financial assistance related to bioenergy feedstocks, biorefineries, and conversion to biomass energy; the definition of the term agricultural use for the purpose of determining the assessed value of a parcel of land; requiring a strategic bioenergy feedstock assessment; creation of a bioenergy council; the agricultural and forestry diversification programs; biofuels training assessment; a study of regulatory burdens relating to biofuel production facilities; marketing orders and agreements for bioenergy feedstocks; exempting personal renewable fuel production and use from the motor vehicle fuel tax, the petroleum inspection fee, and business tax registration requirements; an income and franchise tax credit for installing or retrofitting pumps that mix motor vehicle fuels from separate storage tanks; offering gasoline that is not blended with ethanol to motor fuel dealers; state renewable motor vehicle fuels sales goals; use of petroleum-based transportation fuels by state vehicles; use of alternative fuels in flex fuel vehicles owned by the state; use of public alternative fuel refueling facilities; duties of the Office of Energy Independence; granting rule-making authority; requiring the exercise of rule-making authority; making appropriations; and providing penalties
2009 Wisc. Act 401

Party summary

Senate

Assembly

Sessions

* Regular session: January 5, 2009May 26, 2010 * May 2009 Extraordinary session: May 12, 2009May 13, 2009 * June 2009 Extraordinary session: June 9, 2009June 11, 2009 * June 2009 Special session (JN9): June 24, 2009June 27, 2009 * December 2009 Extraordinary session: December 16, 2009 * December 2009 Special session (DE9): December 16, 2009March 9, 2010

Officers

Senate

* President of the Senate: Sen.

Fred Risser Fred A. Risser (born May 5, 1927) is a retired American Democratic politician. He holds the record as the longest-serving state legislator in American history, having served 58 years in the Wisconsin State Senate and six years in the Wisconsi ...

* President pro tempore: Sen.

Pat Kreitlow Patrick J. Kreitlow (born July 3, 1964) is an American politician, former broadcaster, and communications consultant. A Democrat, Kreitlow was a member of the Wisconsin State Senate, representing Wisconsin's 23rd Senate district, from 2007 to 201 ...

* Chief Clerk: Hon. Robert J. Marchant * Sergeant at arms: Hon. Edward A. Blazel

Assembly

* Speaker of the Assembly: Rep. Michael J. Sheridan * Speaker pro tempore: Rep.

Tony Staskunas Anthony J. Staskunas (born January 3, 1961) is an American Democratic politician and lawyer. Biography Born in West Allis, Wisconsin, Staskunas graduated from Nathan Hale High School in West Allis. He received his bachelor's degree from Univer ...

* Chief clerk: Hon. Patrick E. Fuller * Sergeant at arms: Hon. William Nagy

Members

Senate

Members of the Wisconsin Senate for the Ninety-ninth Wisconsin Legislature (33):

Assembly

Members of the Assembly for the Ninety-ninth Wisconsin Legislature (99):

Changes from the 98th Legislature

Open seats

*In the 12th Senate District, Democrat

Roger Breske Roger M. Breske (November 8, 1938 in Elderon, Wisconsin – April 3, 2012 in Weston, Wisconsin) was an American politician and businessman. He served in the United States Army Reserves. He owned a tavern and restaurant.'Wisconsin Blue Book 2005 ...

was appointed Railroad Commissioner, leaving Democrat

Jim Holperin James C. Holperin (born December 18, 1950) is a retired American politician from Vilas County, Wisconsin. He served in the Wisconsin State Senate (2009–2012) and State Assembly (1983–1994), representing northern Wisconsin. He also ...

to defeat Republican

Tom Tiffany Thomas P. Tiffany (born December 30, 1957) is an American businessman and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 7th congressional district since 2020. A member of the Republican Party, he was elected to the Wisconsin Stat ...

. *In the 18th Senate District, Republican

Carol Roessler Carol A. Roessler (born January 16, 1948) is an American politician and public administrator. She served as a Republican in the Wisconsin State Senate (1987–2008) and State Assembly (1983–1987). She left the State Senate in 2008 to ...

was appointed Administrator of State and Local Finance, leaving Republican

Randy Hopper Randal B. "Randy" Hopper is a former Republican member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 18th District from 2009 until losing his seat to Jessica King in a 2011 recall election. The 18th District includes the cities of Fond du Lac, Oshk ...

to defeat Democrat

Jessica King Jessica Jeane King (born July 21, 1975) is an American lawyer and politician from Wisconsin. She is a former Democratic member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 18th district when elected in 2011. She defeated incumbent Republican Senato ...

. * In the 22nd Assembly District, Democrat

Sheldon Wasserman Sheldon A. Wasserman (born August 5, 1961) is an American physician and politician, currently serving as Milwaukee County Supervisor for the 3rd District. Wasserman is a member of the Democratic Party and formerly served in the Wisconsin State ...

ran for the

Wisconsin State Senate The Wisconsin Senate is the upper house of the Wisconsin State Legislature. Together with the larger Wisconsin State Assembly they constitute the legislative branch of the state of Wisconsin. The powers of the Wisconsin Senate are modeled after t ...

, leaving fellow Democrat

Sandy Pasch Sandra "Sandy" Pasch (''née'' Kawczynski; born May 19, 1954) is an American nurse and Democratic politician. She served six years in the Wisconsin State Assembly (2009–2015), representing north-central Milwaukee County. Background Pas ...

to defeat Republican Yash Wadhwa *In the 24th Assembly District, Republican Suzanne Jeskewitz decided not to run for re-election, leaving Republican

Dan Knodl Dan Knodl (December 14, 1958) is an American politician, currently serving as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly. Early life and education Born in Milwaukee, Knodl was raised in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin and graduated from Menomonee Fa ...

to defeat Democrat Charlene Brady. *In the 47th Assembly District, Republican Eugene Hahn declined to run for re-election, leaving Republican

Keith Ripp Keith Ripp (born November 13, 1961) is a Wisconsin politician. Ripp was born in Madison, Wisconsin and was raised in Lodi. He graduated from Lodi High School in 1980, and took farming courses from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Ri ...

to defeat Democrat Trish O'Neil in the contest for the open seat. *In the 50th Assembly District, Republican Sheryl Albers retired, leaving Republican Ed Brooks to defeat Democrat Tom Crofton *In the 53rd Assembly District, Republican Carol Owens retired, leaving Republican Richard Spanbauer to defeat Democrat Jeff Mann.Wisconsin State Elections Board Canvass Summary, Fall General Election: November 4, 2008
. *In the 57th Assembly District, Republican Steve Wieckert retired, and Democrat

Penny Bernard Schaber Penny Bernard Schaber is an American politician who served as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing the 57th Assembly District from 2009 to 2015. Early life and education Schaber was raised in Mundelein, Illinois and remained in ...

defeated Republican Jo Egelhoff in the general election *In the 64th Assembly District, Democrat James Kreuser became County Executive for

Kenosha County Kenosha County is located in the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 169,151 as of the 2020 census, making it the eighth most populous county in Wisconsin. The county shares the same name as the city of Kenosh ...

, leaving former Congressman and fellow Democrat

Peter Barca Peter William Barca (born August 7, 1955) is an American Democratic politician and the current Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue in the administration of Governor Tony Evers. Barca is a lifelong resident of the Kenosha area. B ...

to retake his former seat, running unopposed in the general election. *In the 73rd Assembly District, Democrat

Frank Boyle Frank Boyle (born February 20, 1945) is a retired American Democratic politician. He served as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1987 to 2009, representing the far northwest corner of the state. Early life and education Born in ...

retired, leaving Democrat

Nick Milroy Nick Milroy (born April 15, 1974) is an American fisheries biologist and Democratic politician from Superior, Wisconsin. He was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly for seven terms, representing the 73rd Assembly district from 2009 throug ...

to defeat the independent Jeff Monaghan. *In the 81st Assembly District, Democrat

David Travis David M. "Dave" Travis (born September 21, 1948) is a retired American communications consultant and Democratic politician. He served 30 years in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Dane County, and was majority leader of the Assembly fr ...

retired, leaving Democrat

Kelda Roys Kelda Helen Roys (born June 24, 1979) is an American tech entrepreneur, business owner, attorney, and Democratic politician. She currently serves in the Wisconsin State Senate, representing the 26th senatorial district. She succeeded Fred Ris ...

to win the seat after running unopposed in the general election. *In the 91st Assembly District, Democrat

Barbara Gronemus Barbara "Bobby" Gronemus (née Barry; November 21, 1931January 17, 2021) was an American farmer and Democratic politician from Trempealeau County, Wisconsin. She served 26 years in the Wisconsin State Assembly, from 1983 to 2009. Biography Bar ...

retired, leaving Democrat

Chris Danou Christopher H. Danou is a former member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, who represented the 92nd Assembly District, first elected in 2008. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He lost his bid for reelection in 2016. Born in Bloomington, I ...

to defeat Republican Dave Hegenbarth.Radcliffe tops Hellman in 92nd District
''Jackson County Chronicle'' November 10, 2008. *In the 92nd Assembly District, Republican

Terry Musser Terry M. Musser (November 15, 1947 – November 1, 2018) was an American politician. Biography Musser was born in Black River Falls, Wisconsin and graduated from Melrose-Mindoro High School. He went to University of Wisconsin–La Cross ...

retired, leaving Democrat Mark Radcliffe to defeat Dan Hellman

Incumbents defeated

* In the 2nd Assembly District, Republican

Frank Lasee Frank Lasee (born December 11, 1961) is an American politician and former Republican Party (United States), Republican member of the Wisconsin State Senate. He represented the Wisconsin Senate, District 1, 1st Senate District from 2011 until 201 ...

was defeated in the general election by Democrat

Ted Zigmunt Ted Zigmunt is a former Democratic Party member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing the 2nd Assembly District after defeating incumbent Frank Lasee in the November 2008 election. He served as a member of the committees on Corrections a ...

.Democrats take control of state Legislature
''

Green Bay Press-Gazette The ''Green Bay Press-Gazette'' is a newspaper whose primary coverage is of northeastern Wisconsin, including Green Bay. It was founded as the ''Green Bay Gazette'' in 1866 as a weekly paper, becoming a daily newspaper in 1871. The ''Green Ba ...

'' November 6, 2008. *In the 42nd Assembly District, Republican

J.A. Hines Jacob Albert "Doc" Hines (May 1, 1927 – March 3, 2020) was an American politician, veterinarian, and beef farmer. Hines was born in West Salem, Ohio on May 1, 1927, and graduated from Homer High School in Homerville, Ohio. Hines served in th ...

lost his bid for re-election against Democrat

Fred Clark Frederick Leonard Clark (March 19, 1914 – December 5, 1968) was an American film and television character actor. Early years Born in Lincoln, California, Clark was the son of Fred Clark Sr. He attended Stanford University with plans to becom ...

Jacob Stein,
'Wave of change' pushes Democrats into control of state Assembly
" ''

Wisconsin State Journal The ''Wisconsin State Journal'' is a daily newspaper published in Madison, Wisconsin by Lee Enterprises. The newspaper, the second largest in Wisconsin, is primarily distributed in a 19 county region in south-central Wisconsin. As of September ...

'', November 5, 2008. *In the 68th Assembly District, Republican

Terry Moulton Terry Moulton (born July 19, 1946) is a former Republican member of the Wisconsin Senate, who represented the 23rd district from 2011 to 2019. He was previously a member of the Wisconsin Assembly, representing the 68th district from 2005 to 20 ...

was defeated by Democrat Kristen Dexter.J.R. Ross
Dems pull off sweep
" WisPolitics.com, November 5, 2008.

Other

*In the 67th Assembly District,

Jeffrey Wood Jeffrey Wood (born September 12, 1969 in Juneau, Wisconsin) was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly representing the 67th district from 2002 to 2011. He was elected as a Republican and later ran as an Independent. Biography Wood attended U ...

successfully ran for re-election as an independent after dropping his affiliation with the Republican Party in 2008.

References

External links

{{Wisconsin legislatures Wisconsin legislative sessions 2009 in Wisconsin 2010s in Wisconsin