Decker To Keep Pushing Healthy Wisconsin

By Janet Craigmiles, Wausau Daily Herald
(October 25, 2007)

A universal health care plan remains one of state Sen. Russ Decker's top priorities as he assumes leadership of the Wisconsin Senate, the Weston Democrat said.

"We are going to keep hammering away" to win approval of the Healthy Wisconsin initiative, Decker said Wednesday after his fellow Senate Democrats chose him as majority leader in a closed-door session.

Senate Democrats gave up the Healthy Wisconsin plan as one of their compromises to reach a deal this week with Republicans on the next two-year state budget.

The vote to oust Sen. Judy Robson of Beloit came after her fellow Democratic senators complained that they had given up too many important proposals in budget negotiations.

Decker, who served with Robson on a budget conference committee, said there was no open criticism of her handling of the state budget impasse. But he said he knew fellow Democratic senators wanted their party to move in a different direction.

He will lead Senate Democrats into next year's election.

"It humbles me that my colleagues think of me that way," Decker said.

Senate Minority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, a Juneau Republican, was unavailable for comment Wednesday but said through a spokesman that he congratulates Decker and looks forward to working with him on issues.

Leadership of Senate Democrats has undergone several changes in the past few years, but Decker said senators usually leave the top posts voluntarily.

Decker, 54, was first elected to the Senate in 1990. Robson, 67, has been in the Senate since 1987.