2009-10 Wisconsin Legislature

Update: Nov 29, 2008

In the week after the election, members of both parties in both houses caucused to elect their leadership.

Although Representative Tony Staskunas (D-West Allis) was elected as Speaker Pro Tem, some Milwaukee Democrats were disappointed that no other leaders from Wisconsin’s largest urban area were elected to major leadership positions in the Assembly or Senate. Speaker-elect Sheridan and Senate Majority Leader Decker responded by appointing three Milwaukee Democrats to the powerful, budget writing Joint Committee on Finance: Representatives Colon and Grigsby and Senator Taylor. Republican members have also been appointed. On the Senate side, the lineup is the same as last session for both parties, but the Assembly members changed significantly as the Democrats now have a 12-4 majority on the Finance committee. Representative Mark Pocan (D-Madison) joins Senator Mark Miller (DMonona) as Co-Chairs. 2009-10 Joint Committee on Finance Assembly Democrats: Co-Chair: Rep. Mark Pocan (Madison); Vice Chair: Rep. Pedro Colon (Milwaukee); Rep. Cory Mason (Racine); Rep. Jennifer Shilling (La Crosse); Rep. Gary Sherman (Port Wing); Rep. Tamara Grigsby (Milwaukee). Assembly Republicans: Rep. Robin Vos (Racine), Rep. Phil Montgomery (Green Bay). Senate Democrats: Co-Chair: Sen. Mark Miller (Monona); Vice-Chair: Sen. Dave Hansen (Green Bay); Sen. Lena Taylor (Milwaukee); Sen. John Lehman (Racine); Sen. Judy Robson (Beloit); Sen. Julie Lassa (Stevens Point). Senate Republicans: Sen. Alberta Darling (River Hills); Sen. Luther Olsen (Ripon).