Sheridan elected speaker

JANESVILLE, Nov 13, 2008 (The Janesville Gazette - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- GM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Since his election to the state Assembly in 2004, Mike Sheridan has heard about problems in Portage, troubles in Tomahawk, difficulties in Dodgeville and other concerns from every corner of the state.

But starting in January, part of Sheridan's job will include shaping the agenda to tackle those issues.

Democrats on Wednesday selected Sheridan to be speaker of the state Assembly, which the party will control with the start of the new year as a result of last week's election.

The role of the speaker--the highest post in the Assembly--is to preside over the body and prioritize when and where items are considered.

In secret voting, Sheridan, 50, defeated Rep. Jon Richards of Milwaukee. Also Wednesday, 32-year-old Rep. Tom Nelson of Kaukauna beat Rep. Pedro Colon of Milwaukee to become the Democrats' majority leader.

In leading the Assembly, Sheridan said he will draw heavily on his roots as an autoworker in Janesville and former president of United Auto Workers Local 95.

"I owe a real debt of gratitude to my UAW experience and training that I've been given," said Sheridan, who represents the 44th District.

Sheridan said he'll continue to work with local, state and federal officials to secure a new product at the General Motors assembly plant in Janesville. The plant is scheduled to end production of full-size sport utility vehicles next month, and a coalition has approached GM about sending a new product to Janesville.

"That will always be at the top of my list," Sheridan said.

That's reassuring to Andy Richardson, Local 95 president.

"It's nice to have close friends in high places," Richardson said.

But Sheridan acknowledged that as Assembly speaker his list of priorities will be stretched.

"Every city and county in this state has needs, but we're also staring at a $5 billion budget deficit," he said. "I've got to sit down with my colleagues and hear what their issues are."

Gov. Jim Doyle has warned that the possible budget gap will necessitate state job reductions, tax increases and spending cuts. Sheridan said it's too early to talk about tax increases, but he did not rule out a general sales or income tax increase to address the budget shortfall.

He did say, however, that ending the political divisiveness that's permeated Madison is critical to moving the state forward.

His leadership style, he said, has always centered on finding common ground and teamwork. It's a style, he said, that he wants to use in his upcoming leadership position.

"We'll have our differences, but in the final analysis we need to remember who we're working for," he said. "Since I've been here, there's been way too much divisiveness, what I call gotcha politics.

"I'd really like to see us get back to the day when Tim Cullen was leading the state Senate. (Republicans and Democrats) had their difference and arguments, but at the end of the day they realized they were all in it together and got things done."

Sheridan will be the first Janesville resident to serve as Assembly speaker since 1877, according to the Wisconsin Blue Book. Recent Senate majority leaders from Rock County include Sen. Judy Robson and former Sen. Tim Cullen, both on the Democratic side of the aisle.

"As president of a sprawling local union representing thousands of workers, Mike has shown the finesse and temperament that is required of a strong leader," Robson said in a statement. "He has the ability to bring together a diverse caucus and advance a united agenda with the needs of Wisconsin's hard-working families at the forefront."

Sheridan was unopposed in his bid for a third term in last week's election. In the Assembly, he has served on numerous committees, including jobs and the economy, labor and industry, transportation, insurance, small business and workforce development.

Richards, formerly an assistant minority leader, has been in the Assembly for 10 years. He has headed reforms to reduce the costs of health care, been an advocate for protecting the Great Lakes and authored several bills to protect consumers.

"As speaker, I will lead with an open mind and an open door," Sheridan said. "We need to change politics as usual in the state Assembly. We need to return the state's focus to helping Wisconsin families.

"And we must begin to restore the trust that the people of Wisconsin once had in their government."

--Material from Gazette wire services was used in this story

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