NEENAH, Wis. (WFRV) Republicans in Wisconsin's State Senate have voted Mike Ellis as Senate President. Senator Ellis returns to the position following democrat's brief control after recall election.
The long-time Neenah republican is telling Local 5'S Bret Lemoine what needs to be done next in Madison.
Senator Ellis tells me this role isn't as political as when he was the Majority Leader in the 90s. As Senate President, Ellis says he'll make sure the Senate runs peacefully, letting everyone get a chance to speak. He'll also refer bills to appropriate committees.
But Ellis already has some potential legislation in mind. He says he's working with democrats to change how we fund elections. The race for U.S. President and Wisconsin's U.S. Senator became the most expensive in history.
Ellis says politicians are too dependent on funds from Super PACS and out of state interests, that politicians honor what "big money" wants and not the interests of their constituents. One major change he'd like to see is eliminating political ads urging voters to call local lawmakers about more personal topics
"We're going to say that is no longer an issue ad - that is no longer an issue ad. That is in effect an overt ad to determine the outcome of the election. We want to protect the rights of the legislative issue ads but not the phony ones you and I have been subjected to. That bill - I think we have a shot at," he said.
The Senator discussed many more issues, including a potential revival of the state mining bill. We'll share Ellis' comments on that topic tonight at ten.
