Conservatively Speaking
State Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) represents parts of four counties: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Walworth. Her Senate District 28 includes New Berlin, Franklin, Greendale, Hales Corners, Muskego, Waterford, Big Bend and parts of Greenfield, East Troy, and Mukwonago. Senator Lazich has been in the Legislature for more than a decade. She considers herself a tireless crusader for lower taxes, reduced spending and smaller government.
Today’s state Senate action
By mholmes
Tuesday, Apr 24 2007, 04:05 PM
The state Senate today had two major bills on its calendar.
One of the bills would regulate the conditions of traveling sales crews. The Senate approved the bill, 28-5. In the interest of supporting business and free enterprise, I was one of the five Senators voting against the legislation.
Wisconsin already over-regulates business and commerce. This legislation would impose very tough restrictions. It would drive out legitimate businesses, hurting those companies and their employees. Under this bill, the possibility of reputable companies to tap into the huge market of selling door-to-door would practically be eliminated. The bill also robs college students from gaining summer jobs, a chance to grow and become successful, contributing members of the community.
I supported a responsible amendment proposed by state Senator Glenn Grothman that would have exempted independent direct sellers. An independent direct seller is defined as an individual engaged in independent direct seller activities who is a permanent resident of this state, who sells goods or services that are distributed by a business entity that maintains a permanent fixed retail location, or who meets any four of the following conditions:
1. The individual is a direct seller and is in good standing with all applicable federal, state, and local tax collecting agencies.
2. The individual controls or is otherwise personally responsible for the safekeeping of any moneys received from the individual’s customers for any goods or services sold to those customers.
3. The individual has title to the goods sold and delivered to the individual’s customers.
4. The individual establishes proof of financial responsibility.
5. The individual sells only goods or services that are provided by business
entities that are subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of this state.
These conditions, if met, certainly demonstrate a business is reputable. Senator Grothman’s amendment that I supported was not approved.
The Senate agenda also included the cable TV franchising bill. There were enough votes to approve the measure that would have created greater competition in Wisconsin for cable television. Democrat Senator Russ Decker, a co-chair of the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee, made a motion to send the bill to the Joint Finance Committee and the motion was approved on a party-line vote. It’s unknown when the Joint Finance Committee will take up the bill.
The entire floor session today was marred by Senate President Fred Risser’s constant interruption of Republican Senators. As Republican Senators attempted to make floor presentations, an impatient Senator Risser would bang his gavel, interrupting a Senator in mid-sentence. This occurred every time a Republican Senator had the floor. Risser’s manner of presiding over the state Senate was a stark contrast to the days when Republicans were in control and allowed Democrat Senators to make lengthy floor speeches.
Today’s session also marked the second week in a row Risser used a quick gavel to end the session to prevent Republicans from bringing up other issues for debate, including the bill to end the sick leave benefit for elected officials.
