University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Archives Department.

Otte, Carl, 1923- .

Papers, 1970-1986.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 124

7.8 cubic ft. (19 archives boxes, and 1 small archives box)


ABSTRACT: Papers, mainly 1983-1986, of a former Democratic legislator (Assembly 1967-1982; Senate, 1982-1986) consisting of alphabetical subject files and files on problems of individual constituents. The subject files contain correspondence and memoranda from constituents, colleagues, advocacy groups, and staff members; speeches and statements; policy papers and reports; minutes; and clippings. They relate to legislative issues such as education, nursing homes, and taxes and to committees on which Otte served including the Senate Transportation Committee, the Migrant Labor Council, and the Legislative Council's Special Committee on Primary Prevention.


ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law. However, the researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection. The materials in Wisconsin Series 1720 are public records, and are open to all members of the public in accordance with state law (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

The deed of gift contains no language concerning transfer of literary rights.

SCOPE AND CONTENT: The Otte Papers span the years from 1970 through 1986 and cover many legislative issues, but the files are substantial for his four years in the Senate. Even for these years the collection is missing some correspondence, and there are none of the biographical clipping scrapbooks, statements and press releases, district questionnaires, or the other publicity materials commonly created by Wisconsin legislators. Some papers dating from Otte's Assembly years are included in the collection, but they are scant. There are also no papers from any of his political campaigns nor any material concerning his role in local government or the labor movement in Sheboygan.

The papers are arranged in two categories: Subject Files and Constituent Problems.

The Subject Files are arranged alphabetically, with a few topics subdivided into more detailed alphabetical categories. Included here is correspondence from constituents, advocacy groups, departmental executives, and other legislators; minutes; reports; notes; proposals; speeches and statements; and clippings. Of special note within the subject files are materials (including photographs) on Otte's chairmanship of the standing committee on transportation. Also useful are Otte's correspondence and minutes pertaining to the Migrant Labor Council, as no similar files for that organization are in archival custody, and his files of correspondence and minutes on the Legislative Council's Special Committee on Primary Prevention.

The constituent correspondence in the Subject Files has been extensively weeded to remove routine or redundant letters. In many instances Otte's letters were written by a member of his staff, but there is some indication that he reviewed drafts and made notations concerning the desired response. Interaction with staff is one of the most unusual and important aspects of the Otte papers, for staff input in most legislative offices is oral rather than written. Otte's files, however, include numerous lengthy memos on many topics to the senator from staffer Alice O'Connor.

A file containing copies of the correspondence described above, refiled alphabetically by name, is known from internal evidence to have existed but was not received by the Archives. Despite the absence of easy name access which this file provided researchers will note many letters from prominent political figures such as Anthony Earl, Robert Kasten, Robert Kastenmeier, William Proxmire, and James Sensenbrenner scattered throughout the files held by the Archives.

The Constituent Problems files chiefly consist of letters from citizens of his district covering a vast array of topics and concerns and related case work. The files are arranged alphabetically by name. Several files (most notably those of Sue Haldane and Bradley Poth) concern prisoners and various problems associated with their parole and welfare.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Carl Otte, former Democratic legislator from Wisconsin, was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin on June 24, 1923. He attended Sheboygan Christian School and graduated from Central High School, also in Sheboygan. From 1943 to 1945 he served in the 478th Ordnance Evaluation Company in Europe. In 1949 Otte married the former Ethel Dorothy Braatz, and they are the parents of four children.

Among the Wisconsin legislators of his era Otte was unusual for his strong labor background. During over twenty years as an employee of the Almira Leather Company he was an active member of Local 325 of the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North America. For several years he was also chairman and a member of the local's negotiating and grievance committees. Also well known for his musical activities, Otte was a member of Local 95 of the American Federation of Musicians, and he represented both locals on the Sheboygan County Central Labor Council. As a member of the council, he served as chairman of the COPE committee.

Otte's background also includes a strong involvement in local government. He served as a member of the Sheboygan Police and Fire Commission and served six years on the Sheboygan County Board of Supervisors (1962-1968).

Otte first sought election to the Wisconsin Assembly in a special election in 1967. Re-elected seven times, he served on numerous committees including several terms on the Joint Finance Committee and three terms as its vice-chair. In 1975 he chaired its subcommittee on nursing home reimbursement. In 1971 he was elected vice-chair of the Committee on Revisions, Repeals, and Uniform Laws. In 1977 he served as vice-chair of the Legislative Council's Special Committee on the Care of the Mentally Ill. During the 1979 and 198l sessions he served as chairman of the Migratory Labor Council.

Other committee assignments while in the Assembly included the Legislative Council's Special Committee on the Occupational Safety and Health Act (197l); the Joint Legislative Committee to Visit State Property and the Legislative Council's Special Committee on Employee Protection in Business Closings (1973); the Legislative State-Supported Programs Study and Advisory Committee, the Joint Legislative Committee on Institution Closing, the Legislative Council's Alternate Care Placements Study Committee, and the Governor's Committee on Migratory Labor (1975); and the Legislative Council's Special Committee on the UW System Enrollment Funding Formula.

In 1982 Otte was elected to the State Senate. In that house he served as chair of the Transportation Committee and the Legislative Council's Special Committee on Primary Prevention, and he was a member of the Legislative Council's special committees on municipal and collective bargaining laws and on regulation of nursing homes. In 1986 Otte was defeated in an attempt for reelection in the Democratic primary. Since leaving the Legislature he has worked as a consultant on transportation issues for Gary Goyke and Associates.


COLLECTION CITATION: This collection should be cited as:
Otte, Carl, 1923- . Papers, 1970-1986. Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 124. Wisconsin Historical Society. Milwaukee Area Research Center. UWM Libraries. University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

ACQUISITION: Presented by Carl Otte of Sheboygan, Wisconsin on November 20, 1986 (accession number M86-569).

PROCESSING: Processed by Coleen Wysocki in 1989.

The original photographs concerning Otte's legislative activities are available in the Wisconsin Historical Society's Visual and Sound Archives.

MARC RECORD SEARCH TERMS: The following terms were used in the online bibliographic MARC record to this collection:

MILWAUKEE MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION 124.
Subject Files.

BOX

FOLDER

Abortion, 1983-1985

1

1

Agriculture, 1985-1986

1

2

American Motors, 1984-1986

1

3

Animal Inhumanity, 1979-1985

1

4

Appointments, 1984-1985

1

5

Arts Bills, 1983-1986

1

6

Autocap, 1983-1985

1

7

Bed and Breakfasts, 1983-1986

1

8

Biographical Information, 1968-1981, undated

1

9

Cable Television, 1985-1986

1

10

Chiropractors, 1983-1985

1

11

Coast Guard, 1985

1

12

Community Housing Alternative Program, 1983-1986

1

13

Comparable Worth, 1984-1986

1

14

Congratulatory Letters, 1977-1986

1

5

Contract Bidding, 1984-1985

1

16

Corrections, General, 1982-1986

2

1

Corrections, Kettle Moraine Correctional Institution, 1977-1986

2

2

Corrections, Pardons and Paroles, 1981-1985

2

3

Corrections, Prison Alternatives, 1979

2

4

Corrections, Prison Industries, 1984-1986

2

5

Corrections, Waupun State Prison, 1980-1984

2

6

Crime and Law Enforcement, 1982-1984

2

7

Criminal Justice Council, 1986

2

8

Dairy Farmers, 1980-1986

2

9

Dare Care, 1980-1984

2

10

Dentists, 1985

2

11

District Attorney Vacancy, Sheboygan, 1985

2

12

Dogs, 1980-1986

2

13

Drinking Age, 1983-1986

2

14

Drugs, 1979-1986

3

1

Drugs, Generic, 1982-1984

3

2

Education, Certification, 1985

3

10

Education, Collective Bargaining for University of Wisconsin Staff, 198l-1984

3

3

Education, Education for Employment, 1984-1985

3

4

Education, Faculty Pay, 1984-1985

3

5

Education, General, 1983-1986

3

6

Education, Higher Education, 1984-1985

3

7

Education, Private Schools, 1983-1984

3

8

Education, Public Instruction Budget, 1984-1986

3

9

Education, School Aids, 1985-1986

3

11

Education, Truancy, 1983-1986

3

12

Education, University of Wisconsin System, 1984-1986

3

13

Education, Vocation, Technical and Adult Education, 1984-1986

3

14

Economy, Wisconsin, 1982-1986

3

15

Equal Rights Amendment, 1980-1984

3

16

Flags, 1983-1986

3

17

Fuel Assistance, 1980-1986

3

18

Gambling, 1983-1986

4

1

General Correspondence, 1983-1986

4

2-3

General Relief, Hmong, 1983-1986

4

17

General Relief, Welfare, 1982-1986

4

18

General Relief, Group Homes, 1984-1986

5

1

General Relief, Health Departments, 1984

5

2

General Relief, Homecraft Program, 1984-1986

5

3

General Relief, Income Maintenance, 1984-1985

5

4

General Relief, Medical Assistance, 1982-1986

5

5

General Relief, Physicians Assistants, 1984-1985

5

6

General Relief, Pregnancy Options Committee, 1985

5

7

General Relief, Public Health, 1984-1985

5

8

General Relief, Residential Care, 1983

5

9

General Relief, Superrule, Medicaid, 1985

5

10

General Relief, Supplementary Security Income, 1982-1985

5

11

General Relief, Welfare Fraud, 1984-1985

5

12

General Relief, Women, Infants, and Children Program, 1982-1986

5

13

General Relief, Workfare, 100 Hour Rule, 1984-1986

5

14

Good People, 1983-1985

4

4

Governor's Youth Awards, 1985-1986

4

5

Health and Social Services, Aging, 1982-1986

4

6

Health and Social Services, Aid to Families with Dependent Children, 1984-1986

4

7

Health and Social Services, Alcohol and Drug Abuse, 1985

4

8

Health and Social Services, Budget Amendments, 1985

4

9

Health and Social Services, Child Abuse, 1985

4

10

Health and Social Services, Child Support, 1984-1986

4

11

Health and Social Services, Community Aids Funding, 1985

4

12

Health and Social Services, Community Options Program, 1985

4

13

Health and Social Services, County Home Rule, 1985

4

14

Health and Social Services, Developmentally Disabled Centers, 1983-1985

4

15

Health and Social Services, General, 1983-1986

4

16

Hospitals, General, 1985

5

15

Hospitals, Holy Family Hospital, Manitowoc, 1985

5

16

Hospitals, Plymouth Hospital, 1985

5

17

Hospitals, Rate Setting, 1980-1986

6

1

Hospitals, Regulations, 1985

6

2

Indians, 1984-1985

6

3

Industry, Labor, and Human Relations, Department of, 1983-1986

6

4

Insurance, General, 1980-1986

6

5

Insurance, Health Insurance, 1983-1985

6

6

Insurance, Liability Insurance, 1979-1986

6

7

Insurance, Malpractice Insurance, 1984-1986

6

8-9

Invitations, 1983-1986

6

10

Judiciary, General, 1982-1986

6

11

Judiciary, Juvenile Justice, 1980-1986

7

1

Judiciary, Public Defender, 1980-1985

7

2

Judiciary, Salaries, 1983-1985

7

3

Labor, Almira Tannery, 1983

7

4

Labor, General, 1983-1986

7

5

Labor, Unemployment Compensation, 1983-1986

7

6-7

Labor, Wisconsin State Employees Union, 1980-1983

7

8

Labor, Workers' Compensation, 1980-1983

7

9

Letters to the Editor, 1983-1986

7

10

Local Governments, Alliance of Cities, 1984

7

11

Local Governments, Calumet County, 1983-1984

7

12

Local Governments, Cleveland, 1984-1986

7

13

Local Governments, General, 1979-1984

7

14

Local Governments, Glenbeulah, 1977-1984

8

1

Local Governments, Kiel, 1984-1985

8

2

Local Governments, Manitowoc, 1983-1986

8

3

Local Governments, Manitowoc County, 1983-1984

8

4

Local Governments, New Holstein, 1983-1985

8

5

Local Governments, Plymouth, 1979-1985

8

6

Local Governments, Sheboygan, 1983-1985

8

7

Local Governments, Sheboygan County, 1980-1985

8

8

Local Governments, Town Hall Meetings, 1983-1985

8

9

Marital Property Law, 1985-1986

8

10

Mediation and Arbitration, 1983-1986

8

11

Mental Commitment, 1980-1985

8

12

Mental Health, General, 198l-1986

8

13

Mental Health, Suicide, 1983-1986

8

14

Migrant Labor Council, General, 1983-1984

8

15

Migrant Labor Council, General, 1985-1986

9

1-2

Mobile Homes, 1983-1984

9

3

Newsletters, 1978-1984, undated

9

4

Natural Resources, Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission, 1974-1983

9

5

Natural Resources, Commercial Fishing, 1984-1986

9

6

Natural Resources, Fishermen's Creek, 1985-1986

9

7

Natural Resources, Fishing, 1976-1986

9

8

Natural Resources, Game Wardens-Manitowoc, 1983-1985

9

9

Natural Resources, General, 1982-1986

9

10

Natural Resources, Groundwater, 1983-1985

9

11

Natural Resources, Hazardous Waste Transport, 1984-1985

9

12

Natural Resources, Hunting, 1976-1986

9

13

Natural Resources, Indian Hunting and Fishing, 1983

9

14

Natural Resources, Kettle Moraine State Forest, 1982-1984

9

15

Natural Resources, Lake Michigan, 1983-1986

10

1

Natural Resources, Landfill, 1980-1985

10

2

Natural Resources, Septic Systems, 1984-1986

10

3

Natural Resources, Sheboygan Harbor, 1979-1985

10

4

Natural Resources, State Parks, 1986

10

5

Natural Resources, Waste Management, 1983-1986

10

6

Natural Resources, Wastewater Treatment, 1983-1986

10

7

Natural Resources, Well Contamination, Sheboygan, 1983-1986

10

8

Nuclear Free Zone, 1983

10

9

Nursing Homes, General, 1983-1986

10

10

Nursing Homes, Greendale, 1985

10

11

Nursing Homes

10

12

Obscenity, 1983-1986

10

13

Office Hours, 1985-1986

10

14

Photographs, Xerox Copies, 1972, 1983-1986, undated

10

18

Primary Prevention, Correspondence, 1984-1985

10

15

Primary Prevention, Early and Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment Program (EPSDT), 1984-1986

10

16

Primary Prevention, Family Health Subcommittee, 1984-1985

10

17

Primary Prevention, Legislative Council Memoranda, 1984-1985

11

1

Primary Prevention, Legislative Council Recommendations, 1984-1985

11

2

Primary Prevention, Meeting Summaries and Minutes, 1984-1985

11

3

Primary Prevention, Reports, 1982-1986

11

4-5

Primary Prevention, Senate Bill 281, 1984-1986

11

6

Primary Prevention, Senate Bill 282, 1985

11

7

Resolutions, 1984-1986

12

3

Retirement Letters, 1983-1986

12

4-5

School Correspondence, 1984-1985

12

6

School Fund, 1984-1985

12

7

Securities Commission, 1985-1986

12

8

Self-Help, 1984-1985

12

9

Speeches, 1970-1986, undated

12

10-12

State Budget, 1985-1986

12

13

State Fair Park, 1984-1986

12

14

Taxes, Farmland Preservation Tax Credit, 1984-1986

13

1

Taxes, Gas Tax, 1979-1986

13

2

Taxes, General, 1984-1986

13

3

Taxes, Homestead Credit, 1984-1986

13

4

Taxes, Income Tax, 1985-1986

13

5

Taxes, Inheritance Tax, 1984

13

6

Taxes, Property Tax Relief, 1984-1986

13

7

Taxes, Sales Tax, 1984-1986

13

8

Taxes, Shared Revenue, 1985-1986

13

9

Taxes, Social Security, 1985

13

10

Telephone Utilities, 1984-1986

13

11

Tours in District, 1983-1984

13

12

Transient Merchants, 1986

13

13

Transportation Committee, Air Transportation, 1985-1986

13

14

Transportation Committee, All-Terrain Vehicles, 1984-1985

13

15

Transportation Committee, Budget Information, 1985-1986

13

16

Transportation Committee, Clearinghouse Rules, 1985-1986

13

17

Transportation Committee, Corps Of Engineers, 1983-1984

13

18

Transportation Committee, Emission Inspections, 1984-1985

13

19

Transportation Committee, Gasohol, 1985-1986

14

1

Transportation Committee, General, 1983-1984

14

2-3

Transportation Committee, Grade Crossing, Photographs, Photocopies, undated

14

12

Transportation Committee, Handicapped Parking, 1983-1986

14

4

Transportation Committee, Hazardous Wastes, 1983-1986

14

5

Transportation Committee, Highway Funding, 1984-1986

14

6

Transportation Committee, Highway Improvements, 1986

14

7

Transportation Committee, Highway LS, 1978-1986

14

8-9

Transportation Committee, Highway 23, 1976-1983

14

10-11

Transportation Committee, Highway 23, 1984-1986

15

1-2

Transportation Committee, Highway 28, 1983-1986

15

3

Transportation Committee, Insurance, 1982-1985

15

4

Transportation Committee, Interstate Highways, 1984-1985

15

5

Transportation Committee, License Plates, 1983-1986

15

6

Transportation Committee, Mass Transit, 1985-1986

15

7

Transportation Committee, Mass Transit, Sheboygan Survey Reports, 1985-1986

15

8

Transportation Committee, Motor Vehicle Office, Sheboygan, 1985

15

9

Transportation Committee, Railroads, Chicago and Northwestern Acquisition of Milwaukee Road, 1983-1985

11

8

Transportation Committee, Railroads, Crossing, 1984-1985

11

9

Transportation Committee, Railroads, Issues, 1984-1985

11

10

Transportation Committee, Railroads, Milwaukee Road, 1983-1985

11

11

Transportation Committee, Railroads, New Holstein Hearing on Abandonment, 1983

11

12

Transportation Committee, Railroads, Sooline, General, 1983-1985

12

1

Transportation Committee, Railroads, Sooline, Acquisition of Milwaukee Road, 1983-1985

12

2

Transportation Committee, Road Salt, 1984-1985

15

10

Transportation Committee, Safety Bill, 1984-1986

15

11

Transportation Committee, School Buses, 1983-1986

15

12

Transportation Committee, Seat Belts, 1984-1985

15

13

Transportation Committee, Seat Belts, 1986

16

1

Transportation Committee, Sign Contract, 1986

16

2

Transportation Committee, Taylor Drive, 1983-1984

16

3

Transportation Committee, Trucking, 1985-1986

16

4

Transportation Commission, Correspondence, 1986

16

5-6

Transportation Commission, Public Hearing, 1986

16

7

Transportation Commission, Public Meetings, 1984-1986

16

8-9

Tuba, 1983-1986

16

10

Uniform Commercial Code, 1985-1986

16

11

Utilities-Holding Companies, 1983-1984

16

12
Veterans, 1979-1986 16 13
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, 1985-1986 16 14

MILWAUKEE MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION 124.
Constituent Problems.

BOX

FOLDER
A, 1979-1986 17 1
B, 1979-1984 17 2
B, 1985-1986 17 3
C, 1983-1986 17 4
D, 1983-1986 17 5
E, 1983-1986 17 6
F, 1982-1986 17 7
G, 1983-1986 17 8
H, 1979, 1983-1984 17 9
H, 1985-1986 17 10

Haldane, Sue, 1977-1985

18

1
I-J, 1983-1986 18 2
K, 1980-1983 18 3
K, 1984-1986 18 4
L, 1981-1986 18 5
M, 1983-1986 18 6

Merkel, Dan, 1979-1986

18

7

Miller, John, 1986

18

8
N, 1981-1986 19 1
O, 1979-1986 19 2
P, 1981-1986 19 3

Poth, Bradley, 1982-1983

19

4
Q-R, 1980-1983 19 5
Q-R, 1984-1986 19 6
S, 1979-1984 19 7
S, 1985-1986 19 8
Springer, Willard, 1983-1986 20 1
T, 1979-1986 20 2
U-V, 1984-1986 20 3
W, 1983-1986 20 4
Y-Z, 1983-1985 20 5

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