Capitol Report
By State Representative, Leon D. Young
Leon D. Young
Last week, in the wake of General Election, Assembly Democrats and Republicans caucused for the first time.
The pressing business at hand would be electing the respective leadership for the upcoming 2015-16 biennium.
First up were the Assembly Republicans, who held their leadership elections last Monday, which produced the following results:
• Assembly Speaker – Robin Vos
• Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore – Tyler August
• Assembly Majority Leader – Jim Steineke
• Assembly Assistant Majority Leader – Dan Knodl
• Assembly Republican Caucus Chair – John Murtha
• Assembly Republican Assistant Caucus Chair – Lee Nerison
• Assembly Republican Caucus Secretary – Jesse Rodriguez
• Assembly Republican Caucus Sergeant at Arms – Sam Kerkman
The next day Assembly Democrats met to decide their caucus line-up.
As it turned out, the only contested election was for the Democratic Leader post. Rep. Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee) had thrown his hat in the ring against the incumbent leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha).
When the dust had settled, Assembly Dems had put their trust in the following members to lead them next session:
• Assembly Minority Leader – Peter Barca
• Assembly Assistant Minority Leader – Katrina Shankland
• Assembly Democratic Caucus Chair – Andy Jorgensen
• Assembly Democratic Caucus Vice Chair – Jo- Casta Zamarripa
• Assembly Democratic Caucus Secretary – Beth Meyers
• Assembly Democratic Caucus Sergeant at Arms – Josh Zepnick
It’s no secret that next session will be a difficult road for Democrats legislatively speaking.
With Scott Walker being re-elected as governor, and the GOP majorities in both houses haven grown, the Legislature will be a more conservative place for the two-year session that begins in January.
Republicans now have a good shot at reaching deals to cut taxes, streamline business regulations and loosen campaign finance rules.
In addition to taking on some more controversial issues: imposing new abortion restrictions or approving a so-called right-to-work law that would bar businesses and unions from reaching labor agreements requiring workers to pay fees to unions if they choose not join them.
Clearly, this speculative agenda screams, in no uncertain terms, that Wisconsin continues to be open for big business and wealthy fat cats.
Not surprisingly, there is NO mention of creating new jobs or concern for improving the economic plight for working Wisconsin families.