States CAN'T: have their own money, sign international treaties or stop interstate commerce state constitution

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1 The Wisconsin State Constitution and the State Legislative Branch Generally speaking, what does the 10 th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution state? The states have any power not given to the federal government. Name Under the 10 th Amendment, what CAN states do? What CAN T states do? States CAN: create local governments and public school districts States CAN'T: have their own money, sign international treaties or stop interstate commerce state constitution The general pattern for state government in Wisconsin is set by the. Name FOUR things this document outlines. 1. Sets the principles and organization of the state and local government 2. Protects individual liberties and property rights 3. Lists duties of public officials 4. Discusses government finances, taxes and debt What makes our state constitution unique compared to the other states in the U.S.? It has NEVER been rewritten and because of that it is one of the oldest state constitutions in the nation. It is also one of the shortest constitutions. Name and explain the TWO ways to change the state constitution. Way #1 Constitutional Amendment 1. Two legislatures in a row must pass the amendment proposal in identical form 2. The proposal then must pass a state wide vote Compare and contrast the United States Constitution s Bill of Rights with the Wisconsin Constitution s Declaration of Rights. COMPARE The Wisconsin Constitution Both have the same format and fundamental principles: rights, structure of government and amendments reserved powers Way #2 Constitutional Convention This can be done to revise or completely rewrite the state constitution. Has never been used This is called by the legislature with approval of the voters of WI CONTRAST Wisconsin's Declaration of Rights (like the Bill of Rights) lists slavery as a freedom. Slavery isn't mentioned in the Bill of Rights, it is a later amendment

2 What are the three branches of government in Wisconsin and what function does each serve? Legislative Branch Makes the laws Executive Branch Enforces the laws Judicial Branch Settles disputes regarding the law The Wisconsin legislature is divided into two separate houses, the ASSEMBLY the. Fill in the following for each: SENATE SENATE ASSEMBLY HOUSE NAME NUMBER OF MEMBERS $50,950 + per diem Legislators are currently eligible for $88 a day to pay for these expenses and $44 a day if they are Dane County representatives. 4 years 2 years TERM LENGTH REPUBLICAN PARTY IN MAJORITY 17th Senate District OUR DISTRICT NUMBER Howard Marklein REPUBLICAN 49th Assembly District Travis Tranel OUR REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP REPUBLICAN REPUBLICAN POLITICAL PARTY

3 Howard Marklein District Map and Committees Travis Tranel Ed Brooks Todd Novak 49th Assembly District 50th Assembly District 51st Assembly District

4 Travis Tranel District Map and Committees

5 Wisconsin State Assembly Speaker Vos (R) Majority Leader Steineke (R) Minority Leader Barca (D)

6 ASSEMBLY PARTY BREAKDOWN POLITICAL PARTY TOTAL REPUBLICANS 63 DEMOCRATS 36 Republican majority 99 members total

7 The Wisconsin Senate Chamber Senate President Lazich (R) Majority Leader Fitzgerald (R) Minority Leader Schilling (D)

8 SENATE PARTY BREAKDOWN POLITICAL PARTY TOTAL REPUBLICANS 19 DEMOCRATS 14 Republican majority 33 MEMBERS TOTAL

9 Explain what the census has to do with the state assembly, senate and federal congressional districts. Members of the legislature are elected from districts established on a population basis. The census is taken every 10 years and it determines how the district lines will be drawn in order to make the legislative districts even. When population changes occur, redistricting (redrawing boundary lines) must take place. Redistricting lawsuit map How long is a state legislative session and how do we identify our legislature? A legislative session is biennial or two years long. We identify the legislature by odd numbered year. We are in the legislative term. What is a party caucus and what happens there? A party caucus is a meeting that takes place when legislators of a particular party organize as a group to make decisions on upcoming bill proposals and other legislative issues. They also elect house leaders and committee leaders at those meetings also

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11 What are the names of the presiding leaders of BOTH houses of our state legislature? What duties does each officer fulfill. Who is the more influential presiding officer? Both officers are selected by a vote of their party members. These officers MUST be held by majority party members. ASSEMBLY Speaker of the Assembly * Chairperson for the day to day legislative meetings * Interprets house rules * Recognizes members of the house to speak from the floor during sessions * Appoints all members to committees * Assigns all bills to committee * Sets the calendar for when bills come up for a debate and vote Rep. Robin Vos (R) SENATE President of the Senate SAME * The Senate majority leader is the most powerful officer of the State Senate Sen. Mary Lazich (R)

12 What is the role of the Speaker Pro Tempore and the President Pro Tempore? These people fill in for the Speaker and the President when they are absent. What are the party s floor leaders called? What duty do they perform? Party leaders coordinate party activities in their house during a legislative session. They determine how party members should stand and vote on specific bill proposals and help write the bill proposals sponsored by party members. Explain the power of the Senate Majority Leader and how it compares with the Speaker of the Assembly. The Senate Majority leader has many of the same powers as the Speaker, but not viewed as powerful as the Speaker.