I am writing to formally notify you that I am resigning my office, effective at the end of the day on January 2, 2012. I have served the Wisconsin Legislature for 13 years, 5 as a drafting attorney and 8 as the Chief Clerk and Director of Operations of the Senate. During my time as Chief Clerk, there were 6 leadership changes and 2 changes in majority party control. In addition, the Chief Clerk's office underwent a transformation due to the retirement of the former Chief Clerk and the 4 top staff persons in the office. Each of these individuals had worked decades in the Legislature. I am proud of how we managed this transition and grateful to the Senators and Senate staff for their patience and support through all of these changes.

Despite these challenges, the Senate made significant improvements over the last 8 years. The Senate began broadcasting its proceedings on WisconsinEye. The Senate also took other steps to increase transparency by adopting rules that generally eliminate the practice of holding committee votes by polling the members and that generally require proposals to have a public hearing in committee before being placed on a Senate calendar. Working with Senate staff, we took steps to ensure that state resources were not used for political campaign activities. Finally, and perhaps most important to me, the Senate initiated the Senate Scholar Program to teach our brightest high school students about the legislative process and state government. Already, hundreds of young adults have participated in the program. I have no doubt that one day a former Senate Scholar will be elected to the Senate.

I want to thank the Senators and their staff for the trust they placed in me. I am proud of the non-partisan, professional service I and my staff have provided. Of course, I am thankful for the staff of the Chief Clerk's office, who have been key to every success our office has had over the last 8 years. Finally, I will always have the greatest respect for the staff of the Senators, who work passionately and with little acclaim to make Wisconsin a better state. It has been an honor to serve them.

I wish the best for each of you and for the Legislature.

The Honorable, The Legislature:

Submitted in accordance with 13.172 (2) Wis. Stats., Cooperative Health Choices of Western Wisconsin (CHC) is pleased to report on it progress as a health benefit purchasing cooperative.

Thank you for the opportunity to submit this annual summary, in the event of questions or comments, please feel free to contact the undersigned or Steven J. Healy, CHC's interim president (715.425.9447).

This letter is to remove the following appointment from consideration for confirmation by the Wisconsin Senate:

VOCKE , TIMOTHY, of Rhinelander, as a member of the Government Accountability Board, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2017.

I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Eberle , Michael, of Middleton, as a member of the Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers and Land Surveyors, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2014.

I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Hammes , Brian, of Fond Du Lac, as a member of the Optometry Examining Board, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2015.

I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Mayer , Mark, of Menahsa, as a member of the Examining Board of Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers and Land Surveyors, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2014.

I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Normington-Slay, Jeremy, of Friendship, as a member of the Rural Health Development Council, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2015.

I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Reuter , Geraldine, of Lancaster, as a member of the Barbering and Cosmetology Examining Board, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2015.

I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Walker , Charlie K., of Chippewa Falls, as a member of the Rural Health Development Council, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2014.

Senate Clearinghouse Rule 11-047