MADISON, Wis. — Democrats will continue to be in the minority when the new legislative session starts in January, which is nothing new for Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer from Racine.
But the gains made by Republicans in the last election mean that she has a narrow margin to prevent the GOP from capturing a veto-proof supermajority in that chamber. Even a few Democrats away from the chamber for a trip could sway the balance.
“The numbers are a little closer, but it will continue to be something that we’re very focused on,” Neubauer said in a year-end sit down with News 3 Now. “We know that means being in Madison quite a bit and being ready to be on the floor and remain unified in upholding those vetoes.”
That is just one piece of the upcoming legislative session after an election that saw Republicans gain seats in the Legislature, while Democratic Gov. Tony Evers roughly tripled his margin over his Republican opponent compared to four years ago.
With Republicans controlling the legislative agenda though, Neubauer still has ideas for what that means for Democrats in the minority.
“One is to continue to promote a visionary inclusive policy agenda that really demonstrates how government can and must be a force for good in Wisconsin,” she said.
Part of that platform includes increases to K-12 education funding and state aid to local governments, two Democratic priorities during the election. She added that it comes at a time when voters are disillusioned with politics and government.
“Our second priority is working with Republicans wherever possible to get things done and to address some of our state’s long-term challenges,” Neubauer said.
Those long-term challenges include that state aid to municipalities — what is called “shared revenue.” That is something she said around which she believes Republicans might agree with Democrats. She said she is in communication with Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos on some of those issues.
“Vos and I have neighboring districts, which I think provides some helpful perspective and that we’ve, you know, got some shared concerns in our part of the state,” she said.
“I know that legislators from every kind of community big and small, urban, rural, suburban, have been hearing about this challenge from their local governments,” she added. “So I’m hopeful that we can make some progress there.”
This also comes amid a budget process, dominated by a record-setting surplus the state is expected to have over the next few years. The legislative session and budget process will start in earnest in late January.
This is part of a series of interview News 3 Now will be conducting with state leaders. Interviews with Evers and Vos will air later this week.
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