The State Senate convened on Tuesday, July 17 to formally transfer control of the upper house to Democrats. Control of the Senate flipped to the Democrats after John Lehman (D-Racine) was sworn in following the June 5 recall elections.

Sen. Fred Riser was chosen to serve as Senate President; Tim Carpenter as President Pro-Tempore; and Mark Miller as Senate Majority Leader. In addition to the Senate leadership changes, Majority Leader Mark Miller made the following committee assignments:

• Joint Committee on Finance: Lena Taylor (Milwaukee), Chair; Dave Hansen (Green Bay), Vice Chair; Bob Jauch (Poplar); John Lehman (Racine); Jennifer Shilling (LaCrosse); and Chris Larson (Milwaukee)
• Joint Committee on Review of Administrative Rules: Chris Larson (Milwaukee), Chair
• Joint Committee on Legislative Council: Fred Risser (Madison), Chair
• Joint Committee on Audit: Kathleen Vinehout (Alma), Chair
• Senate Committee on Agriculture, Elections and UW System: Kathleen Vinehout (Alma), Chair
• Senate Committee on Economic Development, Small Business, Entrepreneurship and Biotechnology: Julie Lassa (Stevens Point), Chair
• Senate Committee on Education and Corrections: John Lehman (Racine), Chair
• Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Tourism: Jim Holperin (Eagle River), Chair
• Senate Committee on Health, Revenue, Tax Fairness and Insurance: Jon Erpenbach (Middleton), Chair
• Senate Committee on Job Training, Technical Colleges and Workforce Development: Jessica King (Oshkosh), Chair
• Senate Committee on Job Creation, Energy and Utilities and Rural Affairs: Jennifer Shilling (La Crosse), Chair
• Senate Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations: Fred Risser (Madison), Chair
• Senate Committee on Children and Families, Disability Rights and Housing Sustainability: Spencer Coggs (Milwaukee), Chair
• Senate Committee on Seniors, Public Health and Human Services: Tim Carpenter (Milwaukee), Chair
• Senate Committee on Transportation, Public Infrastructure, Financial Institutions and Retirement Security: Dave Hansen (Green Bay), Chair
• Senate Committee on Labor, Consumer Buying Power and Consumer Protection: Bob Wirch (Kenosha), Chair
• Senate Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs, Disaster Relief and Emergency Preparedness: Bob Jauch (Poplar), Chair.

Though Sen. Miller called for the legislature to come back to work on jobs bills, the legislature is not likely to re-convene before the November general elections, when control of the Senate is again up for grabs.