85th Wisconsin Legislature
←84th 86th→
Wisconsin State Capitol
Overview
Legislative bodyWisconsin Legislature
Meeting placeWisconsin State Capitol
TermJanuary 5, 1981 – January 3, 1983
ElectionNovember 4, 1980
Senate
Members33
Senate PresidentFred Risser (D)
Party controlDemocratic
Assembly
Members99
Assembly SpeakerEdward Jackamonis (D)
Deputy SpeakerLouise M. Tesmer (D)
Party controlDemocratic
Sessions
RegularJanuary 5, 1981 – January 3, 1983
Special sessions
Nov. 1981 Spec.November 4, 1981 – November 17, 1981
Apr. 1982 Spec.April 6, 1982 – May 20, 1982
May 1982 Spec.May 26, 1982 – May 28, 1982

The Eighty-Fifth Wisconsin Legislature convened from January 5, 1981, to January 3, 1983, in regular session, and also convened in three special sessions.[1]

This session represents the third time the Legislature failed to pass a redistricting act on schedule. Ultimately, a panel of federal judges would implement a punitive redistricting plan in 1982, and after Democrats gained unified control of government in 1983, they passed a superseding plan.

Senators representing even-numbered districts were newly elected for this session and were serving the first two years of a four-year term. Assembly members were elected to a two-year term. Assembly members and even-numbered senators were elected in the general election of November 4, 1980. Senators representing odd-numbered districts were serving the third and fourth year of a four-year term, having been elected in the general election of November 7, 1978.[1]

Major events

  • January 20, 1981: Inauguration of Ronald Reagan as 40th President of the United States.
  • March 30, 1981: U.S. President Ronald Reagan and three others were shot by John Hinckley Jr. in Washington, D.C.
  • April 7, 1981: 1981 Wisconsin Spring election:
    • Wisconsin voters ratified five amendments to the state constitution:
      • Adding a provision for a recall primary when a nonpartisan official is recalled from office and more than two candidates seek the office.
      • Expanding debt options for municipal sewerage districts.
      • Amending the right to bail to allow the legislature to set additional circumstances where bail could be denied or revoked.
      • Updating conflicting language in the constitution relating to special corporations.
      • Removing a requirement for two-thirds vote on any changes to banking law.
  • September 25, 1981: Sandra Day O'Connor became the first woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court.
  • March 26, 1982: Wisconsin Supreme Court justice John Louis Coffey resigned from office after he was confirmed as a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
  • April 6, 1982: 1982 Wisconsin Spring election:
    • Wisconsin voters ratified an amendment to the state constitution allowing the Legislature to make counties financial liable for damages suffered by wrongful acts by sheriffs.
  • April 15, 1982: Wisconsin governor Lee S. Dreyfus appointed Louis J. Ceci to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, to succeed John Louis Coffey.
  • June 9, 1982: A three-judge panel of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin handed down their decision in the case of Wisconsin State AFL-CIO v. Elections Board, imposing new punitive legislative maps on Wisconsin.[2]
  • November 2, 1982: 1982 United States general election:
    • Tony Earl (D) elected Governor of Wisconsin.
    • William Proxmire (D) re-elected United States senator from Wisconsin.
    • Wisconsin voters ratified nine amendments to the state constitution:
      • Removing the words "man" and "men and "his" and "her" and replacing them with gender-neutral words.
      • Removing an exclusion on counting overseas soldiers and sailors from the language on redistricting.
      • Removing obsolete language left in the constitution by the 1881 term-lengths amendments.
      • Removing the requirement for a voice vote in the legislature for the election of their own officers.
      • Removing obsolete language left in the constitution by a 1902 amendment.
      • Removing obsolete language directing Civil War draft substitute payments to go into the state school fund.
      • Removing obsolete language dealing with the transition from the Wisconsin Territory into statehood in 1848.
      • Two amendments removing obsolete language left from the court transition amendments in 1977.

Major legislation

  • March 4, 1982: Joint Resolution ... relating to removal of obsolete provisions regarding transitions from territory to statehood, transitions in offices, legislative districting and elections, the school fund and masculine and feminine gender terminology, Enrolled Joint Resolution 29. This was the second legislative passage of a series of proposed amendments to the state constitution removing obsolete language from the constitution. These amendments were ratified by voters at the November 1982 election.

Party summary

Senate summary

Senate partisan composition
  Democratic: 19 seats
  Republican: 14 seats
Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
 Total
Dem. Rep. Vacant
End of previous Legislature 19 12 31 2
Start of Reg. Session 19 14 33 0
Final voting share 60.61% 39.39%
Beginning of the next Legislature 17 14 31 2

Assembly summary

Assembly partisan composition
  Democratic: 58 seats
  Republican: 40 seats
  Vacant: 1 seat
Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
 Total
Dem. Rep. Vacant
End of previous Legislature 60 38 98 1
Start of Reg. Session[note 1] 59 39 98 1
From Apr. 15, 1981[note 2] 40 99 0
From Apr. 30, 1981[note 3] 58 98 1
From Nov. 1, 1981[note 4] 57 97 2
From Dec. 17, 1981[note 5] 39 96 3
From Jan. 15, 1982[note 6] 58 97 2
From Apr. 14, 1982[note 7] 40 98 1
From Jun. 25, 1982[note 8] 41 99 0
Final voting share 58.59% 41.41%
Beginning of the next Legislature 59 40 99 0

Sessions

  • Regular session: January 5, 1981 – January 3, 1983
  • November 1981 special session: November 4, 1981 – November 17, 1981
  • April 1982 special session: April 6, 1982 – May 20, 1982
  • May 1982 special session: May 26, 1982 – May 28, 1982

Leaders

Senate leadership

Senate majority leadership

Senate minority leadership

Assembly leadership

Assembly majority leadership

Assembly minority leadership

Members

Members of the Senate

Members of the Senate for the Eighty-Fifth Wisconsin Legislature:[3]

Senate partisan representation
  Democratic: 19 seats
  Republican: 14 seats
Dist.SenatorPartyAge
(1981)		HomeFirst
elected
01 Alan Lasee Rep. 43 De Pere, Brown County 1977
02 Don Hanaway Rep. 47 De Pere, Brown County 1979
03 Jerry Kleczka Dem. 37 Milwaukee, Milwaukee County 1974
04 Rod Johnston Rep. 43 Whitefish Bay, Milwaukee County 1979
05 David Berger Dem. 34 Milwaukee, Milwaukee County 1974
06 Gary George Dem. 26 Milwaukee, Milwaukee County 1980
07 Kurt Frank Dem. 35 Milwaukee, Milwaukee County 1970
08 James T. Flynn Dem. 36 West Allis, Milwaukee County 1972
09 Jim Moody Dem. 45 Milwaukee, Milwaukee County 1978
10 James Harsdorf Rep. 30 River Falls, Pierce County 1980
11 Warren Braun Dem. 46 Milwaukee, Milwaukee County 1976
12 Clifford Krueger Rep. 62 Merrill, Lincoln County 1946
13 Barbara Lorman Rep. 48 Fort Atkinson, Jefferson County 1980
14 Gerald Lorge Rep. 58 Bear Creek, Outagamie County 1954
15 Timothy Cullen Dem. 36 Janesville, Rock County 1974
16 Carl W. Thompson Dem. 66 Stoughton, Dane County 1959
17 Richard Kreul Rep. 56 Fennimore, Grant County 1978
18 Scott McCallum Rep. 30 Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac County 1976
19 Gary Goyke Dem. 33 Oshkosh, Winnebago County 1974
20 David W. Opitz Rep. 35 Port Washington, Ozaukee County 1979
21 Joseph A. Strohl Dem. 34 Racine, Racine County 1978
22 John J. Maurer Dem. 58 Kenosha, Kenosha County 1975
23 Marvin J. Roshell Dem. 48 Lafayette, Chippewa County 1978
24 William A. Bablitch Dem. 39 Stevens Point, Portage County 1972
25 Daniel Theno Rep. 33 Ashland, Ashland County 1972
26 Fred Risser Dem. 53 Madison, Dane County 1962
27 Everett Bidwell Rep. 81 Portage, Columbia County 1970
28 Lynn Adelman Dem. 41 New Berlin, Waukesha County 1976
29 Walter Chilsen Rep. 57 Wausau, Marathon County 1966
30 Jerome Van Sistine Dem. 54 Green Bay, Brown County 1976
31 Thomas Harnisch Dem. 33 Neillsville, Clark County 1974
32 Paul Offner Dem. 38 La Crosse, La Crosse County 1968
33 Susan Engeleiter Rep. 28 Brookfield, Waukesha County 1980

Members of the Assembly

Members of the Assembly for the Eighty-Fifth Wisconsin Legislature:[3]

Assembly partisan representation
  Democratic: 58 seats
  Republican: 40 seats
  Vacant: 1 seat
Senate
Dist.		 Dist. Representative Party Age
(1981)		 Home First
Elected
01 01 Lary J. Swoboda Dem. 41 Luxemburg 1970
02 Vernon W. Holschbach Dem. 54 Manitowoc 1980
03 Daniel Fischer Dem. 28 Reedsville 1976
02 04 Gary T. Dilweg Rep. 43 De Pere 1978
05 William J. Rogers Dem. 50 Kaukauna 1962
06 Gervase Hephner Dem. 44 Chilton 1966
03 07 Joseph Czarnezki Dem. 26 Milwaukee 1980
08 John Norquist Dem. 31 Milwaukee 1974
09 Phillip Tuczynski Dem. 33 Milwaukee 1974
04 10 Betty Jo Nelsen Rep. 45 Shorewood 1979
11 Gus Menos Dem. 60 Milwaukee 1971
12 John L. Merkt Rep. 34 Mequon 1976
05 13 Michael G. Kirby Dem. 28 Milwaukee 1974
14 Robert E. Behnke Dem. 48 Milwaukee 1972
15 Lois Plous Dem. 42 Milwaukee 1980
06 16 William B. Broydrick (res. Nov. 1, 1981) Dem. 32 Milwaukee 1978
Thomas W. Meaux (from Jan. 15, 1982) Dem. 27 Milwaukee 1982
17 Annette Polly Williams Dem. 43 Milwaukee 1980
18 Marcia P. Coggs Dem. 52 Milwaukee 1976
07 19 Louise M. Tesmer Dem. 38 Milwaukee 1972
20 John Plewa Dem. 35 Milwaukee 1972
21 Chester A. Gerlach Dem. 33 South Milwaukee 1974
08 22 George Klicka Rep. 46 Wauwatosa 1966
23 Thomas A. Hauke Dem. 42 West Allis 1972
24 Gary J. Barczak Dem. 41 West Allis 1972
09 25 Barbara Ulichny Dem. 33 Milwaukee 1978
26 Stephen R. Leopold Dem. 36 Milwaukee 1976
27 Walter Kunicki Dem. 22 Milwaukee 1980
10 28 David E. Paulson Rep. 49 Amery 1978
29 Robert W. Harer Rep. 39 Woodville 1978
30 Jule Berndt Rep. 56 River Falls 1980
11 31 Mordecai Lee Dem. 32 Milwaukee 1976
32 Dismas Becker Dem. 44 Milwaukee 1977
33 Thomas J. Crawford Dem. 28 Milwaukee 1980
12 34 Robert J. Larson Rep. 48 Medford 1978
35 Sheehan Donoghue Rep. 37 Merrill 1972
36 Lloyd H. Kincaid Dem. 55 Crandon 1972
13 37 David Travis Dem. 32 Madison 1978
38 Harland E. Everson Dem. 63 Edgerton 1970
39 Randall S. Knox Rep. 31 Jefferson 1980
14 40 Francis R. Byers Rep. 60 Marion 1968
41 Ervin Conradt Rep. 64 Shiocton 1964
42 David Prosser Jr. Rep. 38 Appleton 1978
15 43 Cloyd A. Porter Rep. 45 Burlington 1972
44 Delmar DeLong Rep. 49 Janesville 1972
45 Gary K. Johnson Dem. 41 Beloit 1970
16 46 Thomas A. Loftus Dem. 35 Sun Prairie 1976
47 Jonathan B. Barry (res. Apr. 30, 1981) Dem. 35 Primrose 1976
--Vacant from Apr. 30, 1981, to Jun. 25, 1982--
John T. Manske (from Jun. 25, 1982) Rep. 29 Milton 1981
48 Wayne W. Wood Dem. 50 Janesville 1976
17 49 Robert S. Travis Jr. Rep. 33 Platteville 1976
50 Joanne M. Duren Dem. 49 Cazenovia 1970
51 Joseph E. Tregoning Rep. 39 Shullsburg 1967
18 52 Earl F. McEssy Rep. 67 Fond du Lac 1956
53 Mary Panzer Rep. 29 Brownsville 1980
54 Esther Doughty Luckhardt Rep. 67 Horicon 1962
19 55 Michael G. Ellis Rep. 38 Neenah 1970
56 Richard A. Flintrop Dem. 35 Oshkosh 1972
57 Gordon R. Bradley Rep. 59 Oshkosh 1968
20 58 Carl Otte Dem. 57 Sheboygan 1967
59 Calvin Potter Dem. 35 Kohler 1974
60 Donald K. Stitt Rep. 36 Port Washington 1979
21 61 James F. Rooney Dem. 45 Racine 1972
62 Jeffrey A. Neubauer Dem. 25 Racine 1980
63 E. James Ladwig Rep. 42 Caledonia 1978
22 64 Joseph F. Andrea Dem. 53 Kenosha 1976
65 Eugene Dorff Dem. 50 Kenosha 1970
66 Mary Wagner Dem. 31 Salem 1978
23 67 David R. Hopkins Rep. 42 Eagle Point 1978
68 Joseph Looby Dem. 63 Eau Claire 1968
69 Richard Shoemaker Dem. 29 Menomonie 1978
24 70 Donald W. Hasenohrl Dem. 45 Pittsville 1974
71 David Helbach Dem. 32 Stevens Point 1978
72 Patricia A. Goodrich Rep. 47 Berlin 1974
25 73 Thomas B. Murray Dem. 42 Superior 1972
74 June Jaronitzky Rep. 42 Tripp 1980
75 Patricia Spafford Smith Dem. 55 Rice Lake 1978
26 76 Mary Lou Munts Dem. 56 Madison 1972
77 Midge Miller Dem. 58 Madison 1970
78 David Clarenbach Dem. 27 Madison 1974
27 79 Tommy Thompson Rep. 39 Elroy 1966
80 James F. Laatsch Rep. 40 Arlington 1978
81 Randall J. Radtke Rep. 29 Lake Mills 1978
28 82 James A. Rutkowski Dem. 38 Hales Corners 1970
83 John C. Shabaz (res. Dec. 17, 1981) Rep. 29 New Berlin 1964
John C. Schober (from Apr. 14, 1982) Rep. 50 New Berlin 1982
84 --Vacant until Apr. 15, 1981--
John M. Alberts (from Apr. 15, 1981) Rep. 47 Oconomowoc 1981
29 85 John H. Robinson Dem. 25 Wausau 1980
86 John L. McEwen Rep. 52 Schofield 1980
87 Earl W. Schmidt Rep. 44 Birnamwood 1974
30 88 Richard P. Matty Rep. 48 Stephenson 1972
89 Cletus J. Vanderperren Dem. 68 Pittsfield 1958
90 Sharon Metz Dem. 46 Green Bay 1974
31 91 Alan S. Robertson Rep. 39 Blair 1980
92 Robert Quackenbush Rep. 57 Sparta 1970
93 Marlin Schneider Dem. 38 Wisconsin Rapids 1970
32 94 Virgil Roberts Dem. 58 Holmen 1970
95 John Medinger Dem. 32 La Crosse 1976
96 Bernard Lewison Rep. 78 Viroqua 1954
33 97 Lolita Schneiders Rep. 49 Menomonee Falls 1980
98 Edward Jackamonis Dem. 41 Waukesha 1970
99 John M. Young Rep. 54 Brookfield 1978

Employees

Senate employees

  • Chief Clerk: Donald J. Schneider[3]
  • Sergeant-at-Arms: Daniel B. Fields

Assembly employees

Notes

  1. ↑ Republican Harry G. Snyder (84th District) resigned before the start of the session.
  2. ↑ Republican John M. Alberts (84th District) was sworn in to replace Harry G. Snyder.
  3. ↑ Democrat Jonathan B. Barry (47th District) resigned.
  4. ↑ Democrat William B. Broydrick (16th District) resigned.
  5. ↑ Republican John C. Shabaz (83rd District) resigned after he was confirmed as a United States district judge.
  6. ↑ Democrat Thomas W. Meaux (16th District) was sworn in to replace William B. Broydrick.
  7. ↑ Republican John C. Schober (83rd District) was sworn in to replace John C. Shabaz.
  8. ↑ Republican John T. Manske (47th District) was sworn in to replace Jonathan B. Barry.

References

  1. 1 2 Barish, Lawrence S.; Lemanski, Lynn, eds. (2021). "Historical Lists" (PDF). State of Wisconsin Blue Book 2021–2022 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 468, 471, 475, 479–480. ISBN 978-1-7333817-1-0. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  2. ↑ Wisconsin State AFL-CIO v. Elections Board, 543 F. Supp. 630 (E.D. Wis. June 9, 1982).
  3. 1 2 3 4 Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V., eds. (1981). "Biographies". The State of Wisconsin Blue Book 1981–1982 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 20–88. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
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