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Vos elected speaker as teacher, predecessors watch

MADISON — Seven former speakers of the Wisconsin state Assembly gathered for the ceremony where Rep. Robin Vos takes over the post for the next two years.

One of the former speakers, Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser, administered the oath to Vos on Monday. Six other former speakers watched from the gallery.

They are Jeff Fitzgerald, Mike Huebsch (HIPSH), John Gard, Scott Jensen, Walter Kunicki and Harold V. Froehlich (FRAY-lick).

Also attending the ceremony is Vos's parents and his sixth grade teacher Barbara Scherrer.

Vos thanked Scherrer in his comments to the Assembly, saying she was a wonderful example of the influence teachers can have on people's lives.

Vos's longtime friend Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus also attended the ceremony.

Debate over the rules that govern operation of the state Assembly could trigger the first partisan fight of the legislative session.

Vos said Monday one goal of the new rules is to curtail debating late into the night. The Assembly has more frequently taken votes on bills in the dark of night or even as the sun rises.

Delaying debate or votes on a bill is frequently a tactic used by the minority party. Any changes to rules that would limit debate are likely to be met with fierce opposition from Democrats.

Assembly leaders were to meet Tuesday to discuss the rules changes up for debate Thursday. Vos says details of the changes will be released after that meeting.