Born St. Paul, MN, July 25, 1956; 1 son. Graduate River Falls H.S.; B.S. in animal science, U. of Minnesota 1978; Wis. Rural Leadership Program, grad. of 1st class (1986). Member: Pierce Co. Republican Party; Pierce Co. Farm Bureau (former dir. and treas.); Luther Memorial Church. Former member: Wis. State FFA Sponsors Bd. (chp.); Wis. Conservation Corps Bd. (secy.); Kinnickinnic River Land Trust Bd.; Pierce Co. Dairy Promotion Com. (past chm.); Wis. State ASCS Com.; Adv. Council on Small Business, Agriculture, Labor for Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.
Elected to Assembly 1988-96; elected to Senate 2000; reelected since 2004. Majority Caucus Vice Chairperson 2013, 2011; Minority Caucus Vice Chairperson 2009; Majority Caucus Sergeant at Arms 2005. Biennial Senate committee assignments: 2013 — Universities and Technical Colleges (chp.); Jt. Com. on Information Policy and Technology (co-chp., also 2011, mbr. 2001); Agriculture, Small Business and Tourism; Energy, Consumer Protection and Government Reform; Jt. Com. on Finance (also 2011, 2003); Midwestern Higher Education Comn. (vice chp., also 2011, mbr. 2003-07). 2011 — State and Federal Relations and Information Technology (chp.); Agriculture, Forestry, and Higher Education (vice chp.). 2009 — Agriculture and Higher Education (also 2007); Commerce, Utilities, Energy, and Rail; Jt. Legislative Council (also 2007, 2003); Mississippi River Parkway Commission (since 2001); World Dairy Center Authority (since 2003). 2007 — Commerce, Utilities and Rail. 2005 — Higher Education and Tourism (chp., also 2003); Jt. Survey Com. on Tax Exemptions (co-chp., mbr. 2003); Education (also 2001); Housing and Financial Institutions. 2003 — Law Revision Com. (also 2001). 2001 — 2001-2003 Biennial Budget; Labor and Agriculture; Environmental Education Bd.; Ad. Bd. for Midwest Center for Agricultural Research, Education, and Disease and Injury Prevention; Jt. Legis. Council Special Com. on the Public Health System’s Response to Terrorism and Public Health Emergencies. Assembly committee assignments: 1997 — Jt. Com. on Finance (also 1995). 1993 — Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Affairs; Colleges and Universities (ranking minority mbr. since 1991); Natural Resources (since 1989); Veterans and Military Affairs (eff. 4/26/93); Educational Communications Bd. (since 1989). 1991 — Agriculture, Aquaculture and Forestry; State Affairs (also 1989). 1989 — Agriculture and its Subcom. on Aquaculture.
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Content referencing Sheila Harsdorf
School Voucher Lobby Wants More State Funding
Pushing for more public funding of private schools.
Feb 2nd, 2022 by Ruth Conniff
Enbridge Energy Looks to Reroute Pipeline
Campaign donor wants to seize private property in North Woods for crude oil pipeline.
May 26th, 2020 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Evers Election Brings Changes to Capitol
Suddenly jobs for Democrats. And will Vos, Evers do deal on highway funding?
Nov 12th, 2018 by Steven Walters
3M Gives Donations, Pays No Fines
Company gave donations to Walker and others, pays no fines for environmental violations.
Aug 27th, 2018 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Scott Walker’s Big Lie
Not doing special elections hasn’t saved money, it’s actually cost taxpayers. A lot.
Mar 29th, 2018 by Bruce Murphy
Why Walker Opposes Special Elections
He's not serving the voters. He's serving his party.
Mar 1st, 2018 by Bruce Murphy
National Group Has Huge Clout in Wisconsin
Virginia-based Republican State Leadership Committee spent $2.9 million to elect conservatives here.
Feb 1st, 2018 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Has Tide Turned Against Republicans?
Last week’s elections show GOP could be vulnerable to right kind of campaign.
Jan 24th, 2018 by Bruce Thompson
Can Democrats Win State Senate?
Schachtner win gives hope. But everything would have to go right.
Jan 22nd, 2018 by Steven Walters
GOP Has Cash Edge in 10th Senate Race
Republican Jarchow raised more, has more dark money than Democrat Schachtner.
Jan 16th, 2018 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
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
Special Interests Target 10th Senate District
One Democratic and two Republican groups will run phony issue ads.
Jan 10th, 2018 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Bill Suppresses Victim’s Mental Health Records
Defendant couldn’t request, jury couldn’t see records unless victim allows it.
Dec 19th, 2017 by Gretchen Schuldt
Hemp’s Time Has Come
Benefits of legalization are many. Will legislature, Walker approve it?
Oct 30th, 2017 by State Sen. Kathleen Vinehout
Bipartisan Bill Legalizes Hemp
Big farm groups support it, state police chiefs oppose it.
Oct 13th, 2017 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Fireworks Industry Has Capitol Clout
Bipartisan donations help pass laws expanding fireworks use in state.
Jul 4th, 2017 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Bill Expands Winery Retail Hours
It pits Koch Brothers and Farm Bureau (supporters) against Tavern League (opposed).
Jun 29th, 2017 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Ag Interests Want Legalized Hemp
Farm groups back bill, gave legislators $1.3 million.
May 10th, 2017 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Farm Bureau Has Capitol Clout
Spends $3 million on lobbying alone, gets policies hurting environment.
Apr 4th, 2017 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Sand Mining Project Targets Wetlands
Meteor Timber donates $23,000 to state politicians, wants to destroy 17 acres of forested wetlands.
Jan 5th, 2017 by Matt Rothschild
Republicans Regret Assault on Open Records Law
But Rep. John Nygren is still open to changes to the Open Records Law, just not now.
Sep 19th, 2016 by Steven Walters
Crunch Time for Bucks Arena Deal
Joint Finance Committee needs nine of 16 members to approve it. That could be tough.
Jun 15th, 2015 by Steven Walters
Budget Could Delay Local Highway Projects
Republican legislators want to reduce borrowing in Walker transportation budget, but this could delay numerous projects.
Mar 16th, 2015 by Steven Walters
City Authority Okays New Beerline Buildings
RACM approves two apartment buildings with 113 units that will increase density on N. Commerce St.
Oct 18th, 2013 by Dave Reid
Why Republicans Are Wrong About Recalls
The bill to restrict recalls is a naked attempt by political officials to protect their jobs.
Apr 11th, 2013 by Bruce Murphy
