The Sconi

The Wisconsin Legislature has commenced its 2025-26 session with Republicans maintaining a majority in both the Assembly and Senate. The Assembly holds a 54-45 majority, while the Senate stands at 18-15. This session introduces six new State Senators and thirty-one new members of the State Assembly.

Lawmakers have been sworn in, offices assigned, staff hired, leadership elected, and committee appointments completed. The Senate has already voted on a resolution to amend the State Constitution with Voter ID language, and the Assembly is expected to follow suit, potentially sending the Voter ID issue to voters for approval.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos from Burlington and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu from Oostburg have emphasized reducing individual income taxes as a primary goal. “The money we set aside for tax cuts will not be spent by this Legislature on other wants, no matter how many special interests or tax-and-spend politicians apply pressure to get it out of the Treasury’s hands,” stated Vos.

Senator LeMahieu aims to return the $4 billion budget surplus to Wisconsin taxpayers and pass a "responsible balanced" budget. He plans to introduce a standalone tax cut bill in the Senate before addressing the Governor's budget proposal. “I think it’s important to get a commitment from the Governor to cut taxes first before we pass the budget,” said LeMahieu.

Senate Minority Leader Diane Hesselbein from Middleton expressed her desire for bipartisan cooperation on significant issues. “Let’s make a promise today that we won’t let that partisan bickering, public squabbles, nonsense and nastiness get into this Chamber, and that is going to take work,” she stated. Her priorities include affordable health care, prescription drug coverage, financial security, healthy families, and safe schools.

Governor Tony Evers is preparing his two-year budget proposal focusing on increased funding for schools and measures against mass deportations. “In order for us to thrive as a state economically... there’s more than one thing that has to happen,” he remarked. His plan includes affordable housing initiatives, tax relief efforts, and strengthening public schools.

Governor Evers will present his budget proposal during a Joint Session of the Legislature on February 18, 2025.