MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) — There is a new era of leadership taking over at the state Capitol. Democrats have elected their leaders in both chambers. As expected, Dianne Hesselbein will lead Democrats in the Senate, and Greta Neubauer will serve as the next speaker of the Assembly. She will also be the first woman in Wisconsin history to serve in the role.

Democrats say their priority is to address affordability but were sparse on the details of how they plan to do so. This is a moment Democrats have been waiting 16 years for, as it has been that long since they last had control of both chambers of the Legislature. As they craft their agenda, they want all of their new members to have a seat at the table.

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"We want to hear from those newly elected state senators and make sure the priorities that we put forth really reflect the entire state of Wisconsin," Senate Majority Leader-elect Dianne Hesselbein, D-Middleton, said.

While Democrats weren't detailed on their specific policy ideas or bills, they shared some ideas they have in mind.

"Free school meals for all of our kids — that would save families money on groceries — of course, addressing the cost of housing by investing in our public schools and lowering property taxes and regulating prescription drug costs," Assembly Speaker-elect Greta Neubauer, D-Racine, said.

Newly elected Senate Minority Leader Julian Bradley, R-New Berlin, says he is open to working with Democrats. He stated his caucus is mostly interested in addressing affordability. His party wants to see tax cuts for everyday Wisconsinites.

"I would love to work on a tax cut. I'd love to see a flat tax," Bradley said. "They ran and campaigned on affordability, so that's what we are coming back here focused on. The Republican caucus, we are completely united behind what we believe is best for the state of Wisconsin, and it starts with affordability. Anything outside of that, we really aren't interested in."

Assembly Republicans also elected Rep. Tyler August, R-Walworth, as their minority leader for the upcoming legislative session.

“I am honored to have the support of my colleagues to continue serving as leader of the Assembly Republican caucus. I appreciate the trust they have placed in me and look forward to the work ahead.

“Wisconsin faces important decisions about our future. From the pressures on household budgets and the quality of our children’s education to public safety and responsible spending, these are serious issues that deserve serious attention. Assembly Republicans have spent sixteen years working to move Wisconsin forward, and we have a responsibility to make sure that progress is not undone.

“As Democrats assume control of state government, they will have the responsibility of governing, and with that responsibility comes accountability. We will ask difficult questions, examine the consequences of proposed policies, and make sure taxpayers understand how decisions in Madison will affect their families and communities.

“As a caucus, we won’t always agree on every issue, but we share a commitment to the people we represent and the principles that brought us here. Unity should never mean abandoning our convictions, and disagreement should never mean abandoning one another. I intend to lead with that understanding as we work together to advance our priorities and serve the people of Wisconsin.

“The election may have changed who controls the Assembly, but it has not changed who the Assembly serves. That will remain our focus in the legislative session ahead,” August said.

Democrats did not say whether they would work on legislation to reduce taxes for Wisconsinites. Neubauer said they are open to conversations with their Republican colleagues.

"We are always happy to speak with our Republican colleagues. We look forward to serving with them on committees and debating with them here on the floor. We have a lot of ideas and, of course, will be open to those conversations, but we are very focused on addressing the affordability challenge Wisconsinites are facing," Neubauer said.

David Crowley was at the Capitol on Tuesday but did not speak with the press. Instead, he met separately with the Democratic caucus. Republicans say he is off to a rocky start with them over redistricting, a topic Crowley had previously pledged not to take up mid-cycle. However, in an interview with a different media outlet, he indicated that if new congressional maps were to pass out of the Legislature, he would sign them into law.

"David Crowley is starting off pretty rough with some of us because it was a year ago that he said he was not interested in mid-cycle redistricting, and now, just this last Sunday, he said he would sign that bill. That's tearing down a bridge he said he was hoping to build," Bradley said.

While Democratic leadership has stated redrawing U.S. congressional maps is of interest, they say they want to work together with Republicans and be a leader in the country for what bipartisanship can look like.

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"I think people are really sick of the terrible stuff happening in Washington, and they just want some sense of normalcy in our state of Wisconsin. So it's really our hope that we can not just show the state of Wisconsin, but the entire United States, what the world can look like when we work together, and that's something we want to do," Hesselbein said.

Below are the leadership roles and the lawmakers who were elected to them.

SENATE

MAJORITY LEADER: Sen. Dianne Hesselbein
SENATE PRESIDENT: Sen. Mark Spreitzer
ASSISTANT MAJORITY LEADER: Sen. Kristin Dassler-Alfheim
SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE: Sen. Dora Drake
CAUCUS CHAIR: Sen. Melissa Ratcliff
VICE CAUCUS CHAIR: Sen. Jeff Smith

ASSEMBLY

• Rep. Greta Neubauer, D-Racine — Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly
• Rep. Lisa Subeck, D-Madison — Speaker pro tempore
• Rep. Kalan Haywood, D-Milwaukee — Majority leader
• Rep. Mike Bare, D-Verona — Assistant majority leader
• Rep. Clinton Anderson, D-Beloit — Caucus chair
• Rep. Karen DeSanto, D-Baraboo — Caucus vice chair
• Rep. Ann Roe, D-Janesville — Caucus secretary
• Rep. Margaret Arney, D-Wauwatosa — Caucus sergeant-at-arms

ASSEMBLY REPUBLICANS

• Rep. Tyler August, R-Walworth — Minority leader
• Rep. Nate Gustafson, R-Omro — Assistant minority leader
• Rep. Mark Born, R-Beaver Dam — Caucus chair
• Rep. Joy Goeben, R-Hobart — Caucus vice chair
• Rep. Barb Dittrich, R-Oconomowoc — Caucus secretary
• Rep. William Penterman, R-Hustisford — Caucus sergeant-at-arms