Kathy Bernier

Kathleen M. "Kathy" Bernier (born April 29, 1956) is the member of the Wisconsin State Senate representing the 23rd district.[1] She previously served as the Chippewa County Clerk from 1998–2011.[2] In March 2018, Bernier announced that she would run to represent the 23rd district in the Wisconsin State Senate, an open seat due to the retirement of Terry Moulton.[3][4]

Kathy Bernier
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 23rd district
Assumed office
January 7, 2019
Preceded byTerry Moulton
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 68th district
In office
January 3, 2011 – January 7, 2019
Preceded byKristen Dexter
Succeeded byJesse James
Chippewa County Clerk
In office
January 3, 1998 – February 11, 2011
DeputyDiane Finch
Lisa Merrell
Preceded byJerome Dachel
Succeeded bySandi Frion
Personal details
Born (1956-04-29) April 29, 1956
Eau Claire, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Children3 children
ResidenceChippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Alma materUniversity of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Early life and education

Bernier was born in Eau Claire to John and Marge (Ginder) Anderson and grew up in Lake Hallie, Wisconsin.[5] Bernier graduated from Chippewa Falls High School in 1974 and was married in September 1977. While raising her children, she worked a variety of part-time and limited term jobs including certified nursing assistant, waitress, and census taker. As a single mother, Bernier applied to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1993. She was accepted as a non-traditional student and continued working part-time jobs to put herself through college. She graduated in May 1998 with a bachelor's degree in political science. Bernier earned a certificate in public management essentials from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.[6]

Shortly after graduating, Kathy was elected Chippewa County Clerk and served in that position until February 2011. Bernier also served as chair of the Chippewa County Republican Party. Bernier has served as a trustee for the Village of Lake Hallie, as the liaison to the Clerk/Treasurer’s office, and has served on the Lake Hallie police commission and parks and recreation board.[7]

Wisconsin Assembly

Bernier defeated incumbent Democrat Kristen Dexter in the November 2nd general election.[8] Bernier was re-elected in 2012 and 2014.[9]

Bernier chairs the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and elections, vice chairs the Committee on Family Law, and serves on the Aging and Long-Term Care, Agriculture, Workforce Development, Tourism, and Mining and Rural Development committees.[10] Bernier also serves on the Speaker's Task Force on Alzheimer's and Dementia. She serves on the National Assembly of State Legislatures and sits on the board of the National Foundation for Women Legislators, currently serving as the state chairperson. Bernier also serves a member of the Lake Hallie Optimists Club, Girl Scouts of the United States of America, ALEC, and is a Major in the Wisconsin Civil Air Patrol.

Legislation

During her time in the legislature, Bernier has authored a number of pieces of legislation that have been signed into law.[11] These include Assembly Bill 16, a measure aimed at raising public awareness of human trafficking in Wisconsin;[12] Senate Bill 527, a measure that increases local control for county treasurers regarding unclaimed property; Assembly Bill 112, which allows disabled individuals to seek special permission for hunting from medical practitioners; Assembly Bill 243, which adds regulations and clarity to the state Youth Hunt program; Senate Bill 160, which increases the standards of maintenance and service for nursing home facilities and oxygen equipment; Senate Bill 295, which institutes online voter registration in the state;[13] Assembly Bill 146, which expands dental hygiene services in the state; and Assembly Bill 14, known as the State Workforce Development Bill or Wisconsin Fast Forward.

Bernier voted in support of the Budget Repair Bill (Act 10) in 2011, which requires state employees to contribute 5.8% of their salaries to cover pension costs, contribute 12.6% towards their health care premiums, and weakens collective bargaining privileges for most public employee union members.

Awards

Bernier was named the Legislator of the Year from Wisconsin County Constitutional Officers. Bernier is also recipient of the Outstanding Legislator Award from the Wisconsin Counties Association and Working for Wisconsin Award from Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce.[14] Bernier was named a Woman of Excellence by the National Foundation for Women Legislators and received the Legislative Excellence Award from the State Dairy Business Association.[15]

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References
  1. "2017 Wisconsin State Representatives". www.legis.wisconsin.gov.
  2. Bernier profile Archived 2011-07-13 at the Wayback Machine, kbernierforassembly.com
  3. "Kathy Bernier Announces Candidacy for State Senate" (PDF). Press Release. The Wheeler Report. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  4. "Moulton won't seek re-election; Bernier announces candidacy". The Chippewa Herald. 19 March 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  5. "Biography". Bernier for Assembly. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  6. "Kathleen Bernier Biography" (PDF). Wisconsin Blue Book, page 65. State of Wisconsin. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  7. "Kathy Bernier's Biography PrintTrack This Politician". Project VoteSmart. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-11-05. Retrieved 2010-11-04.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-11-05. Retrieved 2014-11-05.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. "2017 Wisconsin State Representatives". legis.wisconsin.gov.
  11. "Authored Proposals". Wisconsin Legislature. State of Wisconsin. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  12. "Rep. Bernier Hails Passage of Human Trafficking Bill". Representative Kathy Bernier. State of Wisconsin. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  13. "Legislation Text". Wisconsin State Legislature. State of Wisconsin. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  14. "Rep. Kathy Bernier Awarded for Job Creation Votes". Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  15. "Awards and Honors". State Representative Kathy Bernier. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
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