Dave Hansen (Dem.), 30th Senate District
Born Green Bay, December 18, 1947; married; 3 children, 11 grandchildren. Graduate Green Bay West H.S.; B.S. UW-Green Bay 1971. Full-time legislator. Former teacher. Former truck driver for Green Bay Department of Public Works. Former Teamster’s Union steward. Former member: Brown Co. Human Services Bd. (chp.); N.E.W. Zoo Advisory Bd.; Brown Co. Education and Recreation Com. (chp.); Great Lakes Compact Commission. Brown Co. Bd. Supervisor 1996-2002.
Elected to Senate 2000; reelected since 2004. Assistant Minority Leader 2013, 2011, 2005, 2003; Majority Leader 2009 (eff. 12/15/10); Assistant Majority Leader 2011 (eff. 7/24/12); 2009, 2007. Biennial committee assignments: 2013 — Agriculture, Small Business and Tourism; Energy, Consumer Protection and Government Reform; Senate Organization (since 2003); Transportation, Public Safety, and Veterans and Military Affairs; Jt. Com. on Legislative Organization (since 2003); Jt. Survey Com. on Retirement Systems (co-chp. 2011, eff. 7/24/12). 2011 — Transportation, Infrastructure, Financial Institutions and Retirement Security (chp.); Job Creation, Energy & Utilities, and Rural Affairs (vice chp.); Agriculture, Forestry, and Higher Education; Energy, Biotechnology, and Consumer Protection; State and Federal Relations and Information Technology; Jt. Com. on Finance (eff. 7/24/12, 2009, vice co-chp. 2007). 2009 — Education (since 2005); Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources; Jt. Leg. Coun. Spec. Com. on State-Tribal Relations; Claims Bd.; Transportation Projects Commission (also 2001); Women’s Council. 2007 — Commerce, Utilities and Rail; Transportation, Tourism and Insurance. 2005 — Agriculture and Insurance; Labor and Election Process Reform. 2003 — Jt. Legis. Audit (through 5/23/03); Agriculture, Financial Institutions and Insurance; Education, Ethics and Elections; Labor, Small Business Development and Consumer Affairs. 2001 — Labor and Agriculture (chp.); Jt. Com. for Review of Administrative Rules; Environmental Resources; Human Services and Aging; Universities, Housing, and Government Operations; Law Revision Committee; Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council (ex officio member).
Telephone: Office: (608) 266-5670; (866) 221-9395 (toll free); District: (920) 391-2000.
E-mail: Sen.Hansen@legis.wisconsin.gov
Voting address: 3489 Blackwolf Run, Green Bay 54311.
Mailing address: Office: Room 106 South, State Capitol, P.O. Box 7882, Madison 53707-7882.
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Content referencing Dave Hansen
The Legislature’s Revolving Door
Lots of turnover of legislators in both parties. Why?
Feb 9th, 2026 by Steven Walters
Texas Reps Fleeing State Similar to 2011 Wisconsin Dem Exodus
Texas Democratic U.S. representatives trying to block gerrymander vote, Wisconsin state senators tried the same with Act 10.
Aug 11th, 2025 by Steven Walters
Capitol Has New Generation of Leaders
44% of Legislature's 132 members changed in last four years.
Apr 24th, 2023 by Steven Walters
How Alex Lasry Rose in the Polls
Labor support, personal wealth helps Bucks exec in Democratic primary for US Senator.
May 3rd, 2022 by Erik Gunn
Democrats Lose Experience In Legislature
10 years of Republican control helps creates Legislature with less experienced Democrats.
Sep 20th, 2021 by Steven Walters
Legislature Often a Family Affair
Lawmakers Devin LeMahieu, Greta Neubauer and others had parents who served before them.
Apr 19th, 2021 by Steven Walters
Where Are Act 10 Players Today?
Governor and three-fourths of legislators engaged in 2011 battle over law crushing public unions have moved on.
Mar 1st, 2021 by Steven Walters
GOP Bill Assigns Electoral Votes by Congressional District
State Rep. Gary Tauchen's bill would put partisanship, gerrymandering "on steroids."
Jan 8th, 2021 by Melanie Conklin
Purple Wisconsin Still Has Dark Red Legislature
Republican legislators continue to win big with minority of state's vote.
Nov 8th, 2020 by Melanie Conklin
No Veto-Proof Majority for Republican Legislators
They flipped two of three seats needed to get two-thirds majority in Senate.
Nov 4th, 2020 by Shawn Johnson
People’s Maps Commission Plans First Hearing
State commission seeks to end gerrymandering, Thursday is first of 8 hearings across Wisconsin.
Sep 29th, 2020 by Melanie Conklin
Koch Group Leads Outside Spending
63% of special interest spending on state legislative races backs Republicans.
Sep 16th, 2020 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Primary Results Set Stage for November
Newcomers in many races. Kelda Roys will replace Fred Risser, nation's longest serving legislator.
Aug 12th, 2020 by Shawn Johnson
Democrats Want to Ease Unemployment Restrictions
New legislative package targets state's struggling unemployment system.
Jul 17th, 2020 by Erik Gunn
Senator Jennifer Schilling Calls It Quits
Resigning Friday to take an unidentified job that would create a conflict of interest.
May 15th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Can Democrats Retake State Senate?
An uphill fight. Retirements by seven incumbents make races hard to call.
May 11th, 2020 by Steven Walters
Janet Bewley Is New State Senate Minority Leader
Sen. Bewley sets her sights on overcoming GOP opposition, re-taking the senate.
May 7th, 2020 by Melanie Conklin
Many Democratic Legislators Resigning
But Assembly Minority Leader Hintz seeks reelection to his post.
Apr 25th, 2020 by Melanie Conklin
Do Probation Agents Need Protection?
Legislators debate bill adding penalties, possible jail time, if probation agents or their families threatened.
Mar 11th, 2020 by Isiah Holmes
Hot Debate, Limited Action by Senate
Limited bills on homeless, clean water passed, nothing on dark stores tax loophole.
Jan 22nd, 2020 by Erik Gunn
Democrats Denounce Citizens United
On 10th anniversary of decision, legislators call for statewide advisory referendum to amend constitution.
Jan 22nd, 2020 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Assembly Passes PFAS, Nurse Assault Bills
Will go to governor for signature. Five other bills passed need Senate approval.
Jan 22nd, 2020 by Laurel White
Senate Debates PFAS in Firefighting Foam
Republican plan to ban it far too narrow in scope, Democrats argue.
Jan 9th, 2020 by Danielle Kaeding
Behold the Democratic Green Team
“Forward on Climate” package includes bills on green banks, weatherizing schools.
Dec 4th, 2019 by Isiah Holmes
Senate Votes to Kill Governor Veto Power
Approves putting constitutional amendment on ballot to restrict partial veto power.
Nov 6th, 2019 by Ruth Conniff
Legislature Must Repair Damage to UW System
Funding cut 12% under Walker. UW System falling behind other states' universities.
Oct 17th, 2019 by Kim Kohlhaas
Majority of Wisconsin Wants Non-Partisan Redistricting
Polling results and votes in two-thirds of counties show support for a non-partisan process
Oct 2nd, 2019 by Ruth Conniff
We Need Redistricting Reform Now
Proposed bill would make process more representative, more transparent.
Sep 14th, 2019 by Erin Grunze
Gerrymandering Bill is Bipartisan
Three Republican legislators are co-sponsers of bill calling for nonpartisan redistricting.
Jul 12th, 2019 by Laurel White
Redistricting Now Up to Citizen Action
U.S. Supreme Court decision leaves it up to voters to demand non-partisan redistricting.
Jul 2nd, 2019 by Jay Heck
U.S. Supreme Court Allows Gerrymandering
Ruling effectively ends challenge to Republicans’ skewed legislative maps.
Jun 28th, 2019 by Laurel White
Democrats Push Automatic Voter Registration
All would be registered when getting drivers license or state ID. Republicans oppose bill.
May 21st, 2019 by Shamane Mills
Average UWM Student Debt Rose 194%
New study shows Wisconsin has more students in debt than 44 states. Any solution?
Apr 30th, 2019 by Bruce Murphy
Evers, GOP Lawmakers Seek Common Ground
But Republicans won't budget on accepting expanded federal funds for Medicaid.
Jan 16th, 2019 by Laurel White
Nomad Nacional is an Urban Marvel
Pop-up soccer bar in 125-year-old building a case study in urban revitalization.
Jun 28th, 2018 by Michael Horne
Democrats Rejected Redistricting Reform
Legislative leaders rejected reforms proposed in 2009-2010 session.
Jun 25th, 2018 by Steven Walters
The Push for Nonpartisan Redistricting
Advocates push for Wisconsin to enact a redistricting process similar to Iowa's system.
Jun 5th, 2018 by Cathleen Draper
Why Walker Opposes Special Elections
He's not serving the voters. He's serving his party.
Mar 1st, 2018 by Bruce Murphy
Senate “Hatchet Job” Removes Haas, Bell
What did they do wrong? “I have no idea,” Fitzgerald admits, but demands firings.
Jan 24th, 2018 by Matt Rothschild
GOP Legislative Districts Heavily White
Republican assembly districts are up to 96% white, senate districts as high as 95% white.
Jan 15th, 2018 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Brad Schimel’s Opioid Problem
Attorney General has been reluctant to pursue opioid manufacturers. Why?
Nov 14th, 2017 by Bruce Murphy
State Leaves Counties to Sue Drug Companies
Opioid costs hurting counties, but legislature, Schimel won’t take action.
Nov 11th, 2017 by State Senators Janet Bewley and Dave Hansen
Referendums Voted Against Citizens United
105 communities with 48% of state’s voters have now voted to overturn Supreme Court decision.
Apr 7th, 2017 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Drunk Driving Bill Costs $15 Million Per Year
Department of Corrections estimates minimum cost of get-tough bill.
Apr 5th, 2017 by Gretchen Schuldt
Bill Targets Business Grantees
Bipartisan bill fines or jails businesses who cheat state on WEDC grants.
Mar 23rd, 2017 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Dems Look to Solve Gerrymandering
Federal court struck down state's legislative districts. Hansen offers solution.
Jan 9th, 2017 by Matt Rothschild
State Should Lead on Student Loan Debt
Legislation would allow students to refinance debt, but Republicans side with Wall Street banks.
Aug 25th, 2016 by State Sen. Jennifer Shilling
Action Needed on Student Loan Debt
Democratic plan lets college grads refinance debt and lower debt, as with mortgages.
May 18th, 2016 by Jennifer Shilling, Dave Hansen and Julie Lassa
Bacteria Taints State’s Drinking Water
169,00 households served by private wells that tested positive for coliform bacteria.
May 3rd, 2016 by Ron Seely
Wisconsin Student Debt Is Soaring
It rose 74% in 10 years, faster than all but six states. What is Walker's solution?
Jan 19th, 2016 by Bruce Murphy
Foundation Bar Becomes Cheap Tropical Isle
Tiki Bar has $3 draft beers and rail drinks but you might prefer splurging on tropical cocktails.
Dec 18th, 2015 by Joey Grihalva
GAB Head Refutes Republican Attacks
Point by point, he refutes lead attacker, GOP state Sen. Leah Vukmir.
Oct 29th, 2015 by Matt Rothschild
State Relents on Squeezing Family Planning Clinics
State auditor had demanded millions in repayment from clinics offering birth control, but now backs off.
Apr 16th, 2015 by Kate Golden
Walker’s Battle Against Birth Control
State audit that could shut down family planning clinics may be latest of his anti-contraception efforts.
Dec 16th, 2014 by Bruce Murphy
Will State Force Family Planning Clinics To Close?
State auditors say they are protecting taxpayers; birth control advocates say state has political agenda.
Nov 3rd, 2014 by Kate Golden
UW-Milwaukee Students Graduate with the Most Debt
Study finds UW-Milwaukee students graduate owing 19% more than average students in UW System.
Oct 28th, 2013 by Steven Walters
Beer Protest Spill a Spash!
The Spirit of ’07 Milwaukee Beer Party Protest and Demonstration was a good old-fashioned publicity stunt that brought cameras and crowds to the Milwaukee Ale House on Tuesday, July 10th, 2007.
Jul 11th, 2007 by Michael Horne
