MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Wisconsin’s 2025-2026 legislative session began Monday, as lawmakers gathered at the Capitol in Madison for the inauguration of new state legislators.
It was a day of celebration, with 31 new assembly members and six new senators participating in an inauguration ceremony.
“This is a pretty ceremonial day. We’re not doing a lot of business. Just voting to organize the chamber, and also looking forward to getting to know some of my new colleagues too,” Democratic Sen. Jamie Wall said.
Wall represents the Green Bay area and is among the six new state senators sworn in Monday, alongside 31 new state representatives.
“It’s gonna be a little more cooperative, a little more productive. We’ll just have to see if I’m being naïve on this, but it’s not clear to me that the Republicans on the Senate have a governing majority on every issue,” Wall said.
Republican Rep. David Steffen has a similar feeling, but is cautiously optimistic.
“We’re gonna have to work a little smarter and hopefully maybe a little more bipartisan action this session, and so that should be a good thing for the people. I’m hopeful we can work with the other side to get some constructive positive things done for the people,” Steffen said.
He says it hasn’t been this tight in more than 30 years. The Senate will now consist of 18 Republicans and 15 Democrats. In the Assembly, there are 54 Republicans and 45 Democrats.
This is a big swing from last session when there was a 29-member difference in the Assembly, and a 12-member difference in the Senate.
“Over 90% of legislation that is passed in this chamber every single session is bipartisan, so we often do find a way to get things done,” Steffen said.
One item Steffen believes will draw a lot of common ground is on workforce development and workforce housing. Other items expected to be discussed include childcare, education and taxes.
“By being a lower tax state, we have the opportunity to attract businesses and individuals to our state, and that’s something that’s good for a state that’s getting older,” Steffen said.
“With the Democratic gains with the chambers being much more close, I hope we’re going to have people acting like politicians and democracy should, which is thinking about the people in the middle and try to do business between the 40 yard lines,” Wall said.
Both Wall and Steffen say they’re also on board with giving at least some of the over $4 billion surplus back to the people. Specifically this session, Steffen wants to see the closure of Green Bay Correctional Institution and the relocation of the coal piles in downtown Green Bay.
Meanwhile, Wall is hoping to get $1.5 million in funding law enforcement for the upcoming NFL Draft.
This year is also a budget year. We can expect to see what Governor Tony Evers unveils sometime next month before it’s approved in June.
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