GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) — It’s hasn’t been an easy year for either political party in power in Wisconsin.
State Republicans have had to learn how to deal with a Democrat in the Governor’s mansion, and State House Majority Leader Jim Steineke says there have been some growing pains.
“We’ve gone from being an offense, trying to improve the business climate and lower the tax burden…and now we’re more on defense,” Steineke told WTAQ’s “Morning News with Matt and Earl”.
The first year of Tony Evers Governorship has been defined at times by entrenched partisanship, something Steineke says has required compromise.
“We’re trying to work on items that unite us rather than divide us,” Steineke said. “We’re trying to focus on legislation that the governor can sign.”
2019 is almost done and gone, and Steineke has laid out his goals for 2020.
“Water quality…I expect a package of bills to come out on that,” Steineke said. “There will be a crime prevention package coming out as well.”
A big issue the legislature is expected to tackle is mental healthcare access for Wisconsin students…a response to several violent incidents in Wisconsin schools.
“We need to focus on getting these resources in schools as young as we can,” Steineke said. “To give the kids they help that they need.”
There is some bipartisan support for such an effort. Governor Tony Evers has indicated he supports increasing access to mental healthcare in schools.
