Carl Otte Papers, 1970-1986


Summary Information
Title: Carl Otte Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1970-1986

Creator:
  • Otte, Carl, 1923-
Call Number: Milwaukee Mss 124; PH 3910; PH 3911

Quantity: 7.8 c.f. (20 archives boxes) and photographs

Repository:
Archival Locations:
UW-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives / Milwaukee Area Research Ctr. (Map)

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.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-mil00124
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Biography/History

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 1981 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 (1971); the Joint Legislative Committee to Visit State Property and the Legislative Council's Special Committee on Employe 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.

Scope and Content Note

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. (A few of Otte's district newsletters have been added to the collection from the Archives' Political Vertical File.) 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. Photographs concerning Otte's legislative activities is available in Madison in the Visual Materials holdings. Xeroxed copies are included in the boxes.

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 (A box of official records of this committee for the 1985-1986 session is catalogued as part of Series 166.) 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 hich 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.

Administrative/Restriction Information
Use Restrictions

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


Acquisition Information

Presented by Carl Otte, Sheboygan, Wisconsin, November 20, 1986. Accession Number: M86-569


Processing Information

Processed by Coleen Wysocki (Intern-1989) and Carolyn J. Mattern.


Contents List
Series: Subject Files
Milwaukee Mss 124
Box   1
Folder   1
Abortion, 1983-1985
Box   1
Folder   2
Agriculture, 1985-1986
Box   1
Folder   3
American Motors, 1984-1986
Box   1
Folder   4
Animal inhumanity, 1979-1985
Box   1
Folder   5
Appointments, 1984-1985
Box   1
Folder   6
Arts bills, 1983-1986
Box   1
Folder   7
Autocap, 1983-1985
Box   1
Folder   8
Bed & breakfasts, 1983-1986
Box   1
Folder   9
Biographical information, 1968-1981, n.d.
Box   1
Folder   10
Cable television, 1985-1986
Box   1
Folder   11
Chiropractors, 1983-1985
Box   1
Folder   12
Coast Guard, 1985
Box   1
Folder   13
Community Housing Alternative Program, 1983-1986
Box   1
Folder   14
Comparable Worth, 1984-1986
Box   1
Folder   15
Congratulatory letters, 1977-1986
Box   1
Folder   16
Contract bidding, 1984-1985
Corrections
Box   2
Folder   1
General, 1982-1986
Box   2
Folder   2
Kettle Moraine Correctional Institution, 1977-1986
Box   2
Folder   3
Pardons and paroles, 1981-1985
Box   2
Folder   4
Prison alternatives, 1979
Box   2
Folder   5
Prison industries, 1984-1986
Box   2
Folder   6
Waupun State Prison, 1980-1984
Box   2
Folder   7
Crime and law enforcement, 1982-1984
Box   2
Folder   8
Criminal Justice Council, 1986
Box   2
Folder   9
Dairy farmers, 1980-1986
Box   2
Folder   10
Dare care, 1980-1984
Box   2
Folder   11
Dentists, 1985
Box   2
Folder   12
District attorney vacancy-Sheboygan, 1985
Box   2
Folder   13
Dogs, 1980-1986
Box   2
Folder   14
Drinking age, 1983-1986
Box   3
Folder   1
Drugs, 1979-1986
Box   3
Folder   2
Drugs, Generic, 1982-1984
Education
Box   3
Folder   10
Certification, 1985
Box   3
Folder   3
Collective bargaining for UW staff, 1981-1984
Box   3
Folder   4
Education for employment, 1984-1985
Box   3
Folder   5
Faculty pay, 1984-1985
Box   3
Folder   6
General, 1983-1986
Box   3
Folder   7
Higher education, 1984-1985
Box   3
Folder   8
Private schools, 1983-1984
Box   3
Folder   9
Public Instruction budget, 1984-1986
Box   3
Folder   11
School aids, 1985-1986
Box   3
Folder   12
Truancy, 1983-1986
Box   3
Folder   13
University of Wisconsin System, 1984-1986
Box   3
Folder   14
Vocational, Technical and Adult Education, 1984-1986
Box   3
Folder   15
Economy-Wisconsin, 1982-1986
Box   3
Folder   16
Equal Rights Amendment, 1980-1984
Box   3
Folder   17
Flags, 1983-1986
Box   3
Folder   18
Fuel assistance, 1980-1986
Box   4
Folder   1
Gambling, 1983-1986
Box   4
Folder   2-3
General correspondence, 1983-1986
Box   4
Folder   4
“Good people,” 1983-1985
Box   4
Folder   5
Governor's Youth Awards, 1985-1986
Health and Social Services
Box   4
Folder   6
Aging, 1982-1986
Box   4
Folder   7
Aid to Families with Dependent children, 1984-1986
Box   4
Folder   8
Alcohol and drug abuse, 1985
Box   4
Folder   9
Budget amendments, 1985
Box   4
Folder   10
Child abuse, 1985
Box   4
Folder   11
Child support, 1984-1986
Box   4
Folder   12
Community aids funding, 1985
Box   4
Folder   13
Community Options Program, 1985
Box   4
Folder   14
County Home Rule, 1985
Box   4
Folder   15
Developmentally disabled centers, 1983-1985
Box   4
Folder   16
General, 1983-1986
General relief
Box   4
Folder   17
Hmong, 1983-1986
Box   4
Folder   18
Welfare, 1982-1986
Box   5
Folder   1
Group homes, 1984-1986
Box   5
Folder   2
Health departments, 1984
Box   5
Folder   3
Homecraft Program, 1984-1986
Box   5
Folder   4
Income maintenance, 1984-1985
Box   5
Folder   5
Medical assistance, 1982-1986
Box   5
Folder   6
Physicians assistants, 1984-1985
Box   5
Folder   7
Pregnancy Options Committee, 1985
Box   5
Folder   8
Public health, 1984-1985
Box   5
Folder   9
Residential care, 1983
Box   5
Folder   10
Superrule-Medicaid, 1985
Box   5
Folder   11
Supplementary Security Income, 1982-1985
Box   5
Folder   12
Welfare fraud, 1984-1985
Box   5
Folder   13
Women, Infants, and Children Program, 1982-1986
Box   5
Folder   14
Workfare (100 hour rule), 1984-1986
Hospitals
Box   5
Folder   15
General, 1985
Box   5
Folder   16
Holy Family Hospital, Manitowoc, 1985
Box   5
Folder   17
Plymouth Hospital, 1985
Box   6
Folder   1
Rate setting, 1980-1986
Box   6
Folder   2
Regulations, 1985
Box   6
Folder   3
Indians, 1984-1985
Box   6
Folder   4
Industry, Labor, and Human Relations, Department of, 1983-1986
Insurance
Box   6
Folder   5
General, 1980-1986
Box   6
Folder   6
Health insurance, 1983-1985
Box   6
Folder   7
Liability insurance, 1979-1986
Box   6
Folder   8-9
Mal-practice insurance, 1984-1986
Box   6
Folder   10
Invitations, 1983-1986
Judiciary
Box   6
Folder   11
General, 1982-1986
Box   7
Folder   1
Juvenile justice, 1980-1986
Box   7
Folder   2
Public Defender, 1980-1985
Box   7
Folder   3
Salaries, 1983-1985
Labor
Box   7
Folder   4
Almira Tannery, 1983
Box   7
Folder   5
General, 1983-1986
Box   7
Folder   6-7
Unemployment compensation, 1983-1986
Box   7
Folder   8
Wisconsin State Employees Union, 1980-1983
Box   7
Folder   9
Workers' compensation, 1980-1983
Box   7
Folder   10
Letters to the editor, 1983-1986
Local governments
Box   7
Folder   11
Alliance of Cities, 1984
Box   7
Folder   12
Calumet county, 1983-1984
Box   7
Folder   13
Cleveland, 1984-1986
Box   7
Folder   14
General, 1979-1984
Box   8
Folder   1
Glenbeulah, 1977-1984
Box   8
Folder   2
kiel, 1984-1985
Box   8
Folder   3
Manitowoc, 1983-1986
Box   8
Folder   4
Manitowoc County, 1983-1984
Box   8
Folder   5
New Holstein, 1983-1985
Box   8
Folder   6
Plymouth, 1979-1985
Box   8
Folder   7
Sheboygan, 1983-1985
Box   8
Folder   8
Sheboygan County, 1980-1985
Box   8
Folder   9
Town hall meetings, 1983-1985
Box   8
Folder   10
Marital property law, 1985-1986
Box   8
Folder   11
Mediation-arbitration, 1983-1986
Box   8
Folder   12
Mental commitment, 1980-1985
Mental health
Box   8
Folder   13
General, 1981-1986
Box   8
Folder   14
Suicide, 1983-1986
Migrant Labor Council
General
Box   8
Folder   15
1983-1984
Box   9
Folder   1-2
1985-1986
Box   9
Folder   3
Mobile homes, 1983-1984
Box   9
Folder   4
Newsletters, 1978-1984, n.d.
Natural resources
Box   9
Folder   5
Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission, 1974-1983
Box   9
Folder   6
Commercial fishing, 1984-1986
Box   9
Folder   7
Fishermen's Creek, 1985-1986
Box   9
Folder   8
Fishing, 1976-1986
Box   9
Folder   9
Game wardens-Manitowoc, 1983-1985
Box   9
Folder   10
General, 1982-1986
Box   9
Folder   11
Groundwater, 1983-1985
Box   9
Folder   12
Hazardous waste transport, 1984-1985
Box   9
Folder   13
Hunting, 1976-1986
Box   9
Folder   14
Indian hunting and fishing, 1983
Box   9
Folder   15
Kettle Moraine State Forest, 1982-1984
Box   10
Folder   1
Lake Michigan, 1983-1986
Box   10
Folder   2
Landfill, 1980-1985
Box   10
Folder   3
Septic systems, 1984-1986
Box   10
Folder   4
Sheboygan Harbor, 1979-1985
Box   10
Folder   5
State parks, 1986
Box   10
Folder   6
Waste management, 1983-1986
Box   10
Folder   7
Wastewater treatment, 1983-1986
Box   10
Folder   8
Well contamination (Sheboygan), 1983-1986
Box   10
Folder   9
Nuclear Free Zone, 1983
Nursing homes
Box   10
Folder   10
General, 1983-1986
Box   10
Folder   11
Greendale, 1985
Box   10
Folder   12
Survey process, 1984
Box   10
Folder   13
Obscenity, 1983-1986
Box   10
Folder   14
Office hours, 1985-1986
PH 3910
Photographs
Milwaukee Mss 124
Box   10
Folder   14a
Xeroxed copies of photographs
Primary prevention
Box   10
Folder   15
Correspondence, 1984-1985
Box   10
Folder   16
Early and Periodic Screening Diagnosis & Treatment Program, 1984-1986
Box   10
Folder   17
Family Health Subcommittee, 1984-1985
Box   11
Folder   1
Legislative Council memoranda, 1984-1985
Box   11
Folder   2
Legislative Council recommendations, 1984-1985
Box   11
Folder   3
Meeting summaries and minutes, 1984-1985
Box   11
Folder   4-5
Reports, 1982-1986
Box   11
Folder   6
Senate Bill 281, 1984-1986
Box   11
Folder   7
Senate Bill 282, 1985
Box   12
Folder   3
Resolutions, 1984-1986
Box   12
Folder   4-5
Retirement letters, 1983-1986
Box   12
Folder   6
School correspondence, 1984-1985
Box   12
Folder   7
School Fund, 1984-1985
Box   12
Folder   8
Securities commission, 1985-1986
Box   12
Folder   9
Self-help, 1984-1985
Box   12
Folder   10-12
Speeches, 1970-1986, n.d.
Box   12
Folder   13
State budget, 1985-1986
Box   12
Folder   14
State Fair Park, 1984-1986
Taxes
Box   13
Folder   1
Farmland Preservation Tax Credit, 1984-1986
Box   13
Folder   2
Gas tax, 1979-1986
Box   13
Folder   3
General, 1984-1986
Box   13
Folder   4
Homestead Credit, 1984-1986
Box   13
Folder   5
Income tax, 1985-1986
Box   13
Folder   6
Inheritance tax, 1984
Box   13
Folder   7
Property tax relief, 1984-1986
Box   13
Folder   8
Sales tax, 1984-1986
Box   13
Folder   9
Shared revenue, 1985-1986
Box   13
Folder   10
Social Security, 1985
Box   13
Folder   11
Telephone utilities, 1984-1986
Box   13
Folder   12
Tours in district, 1983-1984
Box   13
Folder   13
Transient merchants, 1986
Transportation Committee
Box   13
Folder   14
Air transportation, 1985-1986
Box   13
Folder   15
All-terrain vehicles, 1984-1985
Box   13
Folder   16
Budget information, 1985-1986
Box   13
Folder   17
Clearinghouse Rules, 1985-1986
Box   13
Folder   18
Corps of Engineers, 1983-1984
Box   13
Folder   19
Emission inspections, 1984-1985
Box   14
Folder   1
Gasohol, 1985-1986
Box   14
Folder   2--3
General, 1983-1984
PH 3911
Grade crossing photographs
Milwaukee Mss 124
Box   14
Folder   3a
Xeroxed copy of photographs
Box   14
Folder   4
Handicapped parking, 1983-1986
Box   14
Folder   5
Hazardous wastes, 1983-1986
Box   14
Folder   6
Highway funding, 1984-1986
Box   14
Folder   7
Highway improvements, 1986
Box   14
Folder   8-9
Highway LS, 1978-1986
Highway 23
Box   14
Folder   10-11
1976-1983
Box   15
Folder   1-2
1984-1986
Box   15
Folder   3
Highway 28, 1983-1986
Box   15
Folder   4
Insurance, 1982-1985
Box   15
Folder   5
Interstate highways, 1984-1985
Box   15
Folder   6
License plates, 1983-1986
Box   15
Folder   7
Mass transit, 1985-1986
Box   15
Folder   8
Sheboygan survey reports, 1985-1986
Box   15
Folder   9
Motor Vehicle office (Sheboygan), 1985
Railroads
Box   11
Folder   8
Chicago and Northwestern acquisition of Milwaukee Road, 1983-1985
Box   11
Folder   9
Crossing, 1984-1985
Box   11
Folder   10
Issues, 1984-1985
Box   11
Folder   11
Milwaukee Road, 1983-1985
Box   11
Folder   12
New Holstein hearing on abandonment, 1983
Sooline
Box   12
Folder   1
General, 1983-1985
Box   12
Folder   2
Acquisition of Milwaukee Road, 1983-1985
Box   15
Folder   10
Road salt, 1984-1985
Box   15
Folder   11
Safety bill, 1984-1986
Box   15
Folder   12
School buses, 1983-1986
Seat belts
Box   15
Folder   13
1984-1985
Box   16
Folder   1
1986
Box   16
Folder   2
Sign contract, 1986
Box   16
Folder   3
Taylor Drive, 1983-1984
Box   16
Folder   4
Trucking, 1985-1986
Transportation Commission
Box   16
Folder   5-6
Correspondence, 1986
Box   16
Folder   7
Public hearing, 1986, July
Box   16
Folder   8-9
Public meetings, 1984-1986
Box   16
Folder   10
Tuba, 1983-1986
Box   16
Folder   11
Uniform Commercial Code, 1985-1986
Box   16
Folder   12
Utilities-Holding companies, 1983-1984
Box   16
Folder   13
Veterans, 1979-1986
Box   16
Folder   14
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, 1985-1986
Series: Constituent Problems, 1977-1986
Box   17
A-H
Box   18
Folder   1
Haldane, Sue, 1977-1985
Box   18
Folder   2-6
I-M
Box   18
Folder   7
Merkel, Dan, 1979-1986
Box   18
Folder   8
Miller, John, 1986
Box   19
Folder   1-3
N-P
Box   19
Folder   4
Poth, Bradley, 1982-1983
Box   19
Folder   5-8
Q-S, 1979-1986
Box   20
T-Z