BEV BUTULA: Wisconsin Blue Book Available

Listen to this article

The Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau announced that the 2011-2012 Wisconsin Blue Book is now available. From the book’s introduction:

This edition of the Wisconsin Blue Book is the 90th in the series which be­gan in 1853. From its modest beginnings as a compilation of Assembly rules, it has evolved into the almanac of Wisconsin state government.

The introductory section goes on to indicate that the editor delayed sending it to press so that they could include the recall election results.

One of my favorite sections of the Blue Book, is the “featured article.” This edition’s featured article is entitled, “Progressivism Triumphant: The 1911 Wisconsin Legislature.” Some prior articles that I found particularly interesting include “The Legislative Process in Wisconsin” from the 1993-1994 Blue Book and “Wisconsin at the Frontiers of Astronomy: A History of Innovation and Exploration” from the 2009-2010 Blue Book.

The Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau allows the researcher to search the text of the Blue Book from 1995 – current. The University of Wisconsin’s Digital Collection includes the series from 1853 to the 2003-2004 edition.