Van H. Wanggaard (Rep.), 21st Senate District
Born Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., April 1952; married; 2 children, 2 grandchildren. Graduate Racine Lutheran H.S. 1970; Racine Police Academy; Wis. State Patrol Academy Accident Investigation; Northwestern U. Traffic Institute – Reconstruction; U.S. Coast Guard Natl. SAR School; attended John F. Kennedy U. Cal.; UW-Extension; UW-Parkside; Green Bay Tech. Coll.; Milw. Area Tech. Coll.; Fox Valley Tech. Coll. Full-time legislator. Retired traffic investigator, Racine Police Dept.; adjunct instructor, Gateway Tech. Coll. and Northwestern Traffic Institute; police liaison and security, Racine Unified School Dist. Member: Racine Zoological Soc. (bd. of dir.); National Rifle Assn. (life mbr.); Racine County Line Rifle Club (bd. of dir.); Racine Police Credit Union (fmr. pres., vice pres.); Former member: Racine Jaycees; Racine Police Explorers (adv.); Traffic Accident Consultants, Inc. (bd. of dir.); Assn. of SWAT Personnel; Racine Innovative Youth Service (bd.); Hostage Negotiation Team, RAPD; Racine Junior Deputy Sheriffs Assn.; Racine Alateen (adv.); Nat’l Assn. for Search and Rescue (psar. Chp.). Racine Police and Fire Commission 2003-13 (chp., vice chp., secy.). Racine County Bd. 2002-11.
Elected to Senate 2010; reelected 2014. Majority Caucus Vice Chairperson 2015. Biennial committee assignments: 2015 — Judiciary and Public Safety (chp.); Jt. Review Com. on Criminal Penalties (co-chp.); Labor and Government Reform; Elections and Local Government; Jt. Legislative Council. 2011 — Labor, Public Safety and Urban Affairs (chp.); Economic Development, Veterans and Military Affairs; Insurance and Housing; Natural Resources and Environment; Jt. Survey Com. on Retirement Systems.
Telephone: Office: (608) 266-1832; (866) 615-7510 (toll free).
E-mail: Sen.Wanggaard@legis.wisconsin.gov
Voting address: Racine 53405.
Mailing address: Office: Room 319 South, State Capitol, P.O. Box 7882, Madison 53707-7882.
Content referencing Van Wanggaard - Page 2
Racial Bias Found in Pot Prosecutions
Black Wisconsinites 4.3% more likely to be prosecuted for pot possession, new study finds.
Mar 22nd, 2021 by Corrinne Hess
GOP Bill Cuts Funding for Cities that ‘Defund Police’
Any reduction in law enforcement spending would be matched by a reduction in state funding.
Mar 11th, 2021 by Laurel White
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
Evers Pushes Juvenile Justice System Changes
Sweeping reforms would close youth prisons and end Serious Juvenile Offender Program.
Feb 18th, 2021 by Corrinne Hess
Assembly Passes Business Tax Waiver on Pandemic Aid
And Senate passes GOP COVID-19 bills that could be vetoed by Gov. Evers.
Feb 16th, 2021 by Laurel White and Shawn Johnson
Bill Blocks Vaccine Priority for Inmates
Rep Wangaard seeks to correct ‘mistake’ by Gov. Evers.
Feb 16th, 2021 by Gretchen Schuldt
COVID-19 Infects Half of State Inmates
Five times the overall state rate; 10,786 prison inmates, 2,153 staff infected.
Feb 14th, 2021 by Vanessa Swales
Activists Demand Police Firings But Mayors Can’t
Barrett, McBride lament lack of control over police chief. Law insulates police from elected officials.
Feb 8th, 2021 by Corrinne Hess
Republican COVID Callousness
Legislators wrong to criticize inmates getting the vaccine when prison infection rates are so high.
Feb 4th, 2021 by Matt Rothschild
Vos ‘Behaving Like a Bully,’ Democrats Charge
After 10 months with no COVID-19 response bill, frustrated Democrats condemn their colleagues.
Jan 27th, 2021 by Erik Gunn and Melanie Conklin
Republicans Have ‘Blood On Their Hands”
Evers signals he will ignore Legislative restriction, challenges GOP to present their pandemic plan.
Oct 13th, 2020 by Erik Gunn
4 Reasons Legislature Won’t Reconvene
Haven’t met since April, won’t return this year. Republicans explain why.
Oct 5th, 2020 by Steven Walters
Will Legislature Pass Any Policing Reforms?
Some 20 proposed bills with more to come. Will any pass and when?
Sep 14th, 2020 by Steven Walters
Task Force Seeks Bipartisan Policing Reform
And racial equity reforms. Will begin meeting in fall, propose legislative bills by next year.
Sep 8th, 2020 by Laurel White
DOJ announces $41 million for Wisconsin Law Enforcement
But, no one seems to know how the money will be spent.
Sep 3rd, 2020 by Henry Redman
Republicans Angry Yet Asleep on Policing
Unwilling to meet yet offering legislation to micro-manage police reforms in Milwaukee and Madison.
Sep 1st, 2020 by Bruce Murphy
Republican Senators Offer 8 Police Bills
One requires cities in Wisconsin to maintain current police funding or lose state aid.
Aug 30th, 2020 by Gretchen Schuldt
Senate Won’t Vote on Special Session Bills
Majority leader said they will gavel the session in, and that's it.
Aug 28th, 2020 by Shawn Johnson
Trump Says Evers Accepts Federal Troops
But Evers says he’s authorized more Wisconsin guard troops as officials argue over what should be done.
Aug 26th, 2020 by Melanie Conklin
A Mask Mandate is Not Enough
It's a step in the right direction, but not enough to suppress the virus.
Aug 5th, 2020 by Bruce Thompson
Ten Years After Act 10
Most of those who voted for it are gone. How has the Capitol changed?
Jul 27th, 2020 by Steven Walters
Evers Introduces Police Reform Legislation
Bills banning police use of chokeholds, no-knock warrants part of legislative package.
Jun 20th, 2020 by Danielle Kaeding
State, City Elected Officials Call for Police Reform
Activists, Alders, lawmakers and the governor are calling for policy changes.
Jun 5th, 2020 by Isiah Holmes
Could Floyd’s Killing Lead to State Reform?
Evers calls for long-delayed bill on deadly use of force by police to be taken up by Legislature.
Jun 3rd, 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
The Foxconn Road to Ruin
$630 million for roads and infrastructure for Foxconn while highways across state fall apart.
Mar 9th, 2020 by James Rowen
Bill Preventing Sexual Assault Kit Backlog Stalls in Senate
GOP amendments muddy passage of the bi-partisan legislation.
Feb 21st, 2020 by Shawn Johnson
Bill to Ban “Sanctuary Cities” Returns
GOP proposal penalizes cities, counties that don't cooperate fully with immigration enforcement.
Dec 19th, 2019 by Miranda Suarez
Pipeline Bill Opponents Hope for Veto
Republican-created bill would limit protests of oil, water, fuel pipelines. If it passes, will Evers veto it?
Oct 25th, 2019 by Erik Gunn
VP Pence’s Wisconsin Trip Cancelled
VP was to visit the plant of Elizabeth and Richard Uihlein, who’ve donated millions to Republicans.
Oct 15th, 2019 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
A World Without Scott Fitzgerald
Capitol insiders wonder who will be senate majority leader if Fitzgerald wins race for Congress.
Oct 14th, 2019 by Steven Walters
4-Year-Old Kindergarten Gets Bipartisan Support
Senate taking up bills in committee that would expand early childhood education programs.
Oct 7th, 2019 by Ruth Conniff
Take It EZ, Donovan Urges
New public-private initiative targets reckless driving in the city.
Jul 22nd, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Evers Proposes Delay Of Youth Prison Closure
Proposal would also stop the practice of 17-year-olds being tried as adults.
Feb 28th, 2019 by Laurel White
Algorithms Can Decide Pre-Trial Jail
Counties increasingly use controversial data tools when deciding to bail or jail people.
Feb 22nd, 2019 by Emily Hamer
Evers Wants Pay Hike for Corrections Officers
Aims to reduce staff shortage with more competitive pay.
Feb 21st, 2019 by Laurel White
Outside Group Targets Republican Legislators
Will spend $1 million against four state senators, including Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald.
Oct 15th, 2018 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Harley Gave Generously to Republicans
So did Sartori Foods. Both now hurt by Trump tariffs.
Jun 26th, 2018 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Bill To Expand Abele’s Power Dies
Too much opposition from many state groups.
Feb 26th, 2018 by Steven Walters
GOP Legislators Push Harsher Bail Rules
State constitutional amendment opposed by defense lawyers, supported by City of Milwaukee.
Feb 1st, 2018 by Gretchen Schuldt
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
Bill Keeps Accused Cops on the Job
State bill would also let cops union grab power on Fire & Police Commission.
Oct 31st, 2017 by Gretchen Schuldt
Foxconn Loves Wisconsin, Walker
Gou says governor is top reason Foxconn coming. Abele has county site in play.
Jul 27th, 2017 by Jeramey Jannene
GOP’s “Riot” Bill Is Unconstitutional
Aimed at college students, infringes freedom of speech, assembly
May 19th, 2017 by Matt Rothschild
Big Agriculture Rewards Legislators
Industry wants high capacity wells, gives $220,000 to key committee members.
Mar 15th, 2017 by Matt Rothschild
Why Wisconsin’s a Magnet for Wild Animals
It's one of five states with no laws against keeping dangerous animals as pets.
Aug 16th, 2015 by Haley Henschel
Capitol Clout Shifts to Republican Lawmakers
Given a governor distracted by his run for president, legislators are taking control of budget process.
Feb 16th, 2015 by Steven Walters
Low-Turnout Election Had Big Results
For first time, voters could elect two female candidates to top state-wide offices.
Aug 18th, 2014 by Steven Walters
Pick Tuesday’s Primary Winners
Burke v. Hulsey won't be close. But the 19th Assembly District Democratic primary looks to be very competitive, who will win it?
Aug 11th, 2014 by Steven Walters
Senator Wanggaard’s Double Dipping
State Sen. Van Wanggaard cuts benefits for workers while getting ever more for himself.
May 10th, 2012 by Bruce Murphy
