For years, Milwaukee area state legislators have spoken about an "anti-Milwaukee" bias in Madison.
With Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker moving into the governor’s mansion in January, Milwaukee should have an ally at the top of the state’s executive branch.
However, Milwaukee will be significantly under-represented in the new leadership of the state Legislature. In fact, although Milwaukee County is the most populated county in the state, it will have no one on the legislative leadership teams for the 2011-2012 session.
No one from Milwaukee, the state’s largest city, is among the new leadership ranks in Madison. It remains to be seen how this dearth of urban experiences or perspectives will have on issues such as Milwaukee Public Schools, mass transit, the Hoan Bridge, workforce development, the Port of Milwaukee and others. Milwaukee also will be lacking a voice in the redistricting of the state.
The Republican caucus selected the following Senate leaders: Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (Juneau); President Michael Ellis (Neenah); President Pro Tem Joe Leibham (Sheboygan); Assistant Majority Leader Glenn Grothman (West Bend); Caucus Chair Dan Kapanke (La Crosse); and Caucus Vice Chair Sheila Harsdorf (River Falls).
The Republican caucus selected the following Assembly leaders: Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald (Horicon); Speaker Pro Tem Bill Kramer (Waukesha); Majority Leader Scott Suder (Abbotsford); Assistant Majority Leader Dan Knodl (Germantown); Caucus Chair Scott Gunderson (Waterford); and Caucus Vice Chair John Murtha (Baldwin).
The Democratic caucus selected the following Senate leaders: Minority Leader Mark Miller (Monona); David Hansen (Green Bay); Caucus Chair Julie Lassa (Stevens Point); and Caucus Vice Chair Kathleen Vinehout (Alma).
The Democratic caucus selected the following Assembly leaders: Minority Leader Peter Barca (Kenosha); Assistant Minority Leader Donna Seidel (Wausau); Caucus Chair Kelda Helen Roys (Madison); and Caucus Vice Chair Fred Clark (Baraboo).
Not one person of color stands among Wisconsin’s new legislative leadership ranks in either party.
The closest Milwaukee County could get to a whiff of power in the legislature is the appointment of Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) as co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee.
Notably absent in the Republican leadership ranks is Rep. Jeff Stone (R-Greendale), who arguably knows more about transportation issues than any other member of the Legislature. GOP sources said Stone was ostracized from the leadership ranks because he is considered politically moderate.
Sources said Rep. Robin Vos (R-Burlington) played a powerful role in the selection of leaders in the Republican caucus.
The brothers Fitzgerald – Scott and Jeff – are suddenly the two most powerful brothers in Wisconsin (so says The New York Times).
Steve Jagler is executive editor of BizTimes Milwaukee.
