Republicans have tighter majorities next year, will we see more compromise?

 

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The state Legislature will look a lot different next year, but does that mean there will be more compromise?

That depends on who you ask.

In the days following a contentious election, Republican and Democrats at the state Capitol are feeling upbeat heading into the new year despite some wins and losses.

Under the new legislative maps drawn by Gov. Tony Evers, Democrats were able to chip away at Republican majorities in the Assembly and Senate. However, they ultimately fell short of flipping control.

In January, Assembly Republicans will go from a 64-34 majority to 54-45. Democrats picked up four seats in the Senate to narrow the current 21-11 GOP advantage to 18-15 split.

For Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, the new makeup of the Legislature means he'll work with the smallest majority he's had in nearly 20 years.

Democrats believe it could lead to more compromise.

"Last session they needed our votes to get a lot of things done whether it was shared revenue, the alcohol licensing bill or the Milwaukee Brewers," Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein said. "I'm hoping there's more conversations going forward and more compromise."

When Vos was asked by reporters last week about working with Democrats under narrower margins, he said he's looking for "success" and passing their priorities over compromise.

"If Democrats’ compromise is expanding welfare, having boys play girls sports and all the craziness that the national Democratic Party stands for which is echoed by the Democrats here in Madison. No," Vos said, responding to the question.

This week, Vos said at a news conference he doesn't envision major changes to their legislative agenda the caucus "overwhelmingly" supports, such as cutting taxes and giving a portion of the state's projected $3.5 billion surplus back to taxpayers.

"The best way to help folks with inflation is by putting the money they overpaid back in their wallet so they can choose to spend it on things that are important to their family," said Vos.

Republicans and Democrats offered dueling tax cut proposals last session, but none were signed into law by Gov. Evers.

The state budget Evers signed last year does include tax cuts, but it wasn't what GOP lawmakers had hoped for.

Democrats prefer spending the surplus on targeted tax relief to the middle-class and K-12 education.

Sen. LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee) said "it's a sign" lawmakers are not investing enough after several school districts passed referendums on the November ballot.

"We shouldn't have these districts continuing to go to referendum," Johnson said. "It's a clear sign that there is something wrong."

More than 100 school districts passed referendums this year totaling about $6 billion across the state.

The Department of Public Instruction recently proposed spending $4 billion in new spending for the upcoming budget.

State Superintendent Jill Underly, who will be seeking reelection in April, has been rolling out several initiatives over the last few weeks including boosting mental health resources, free school lunches, and using the funds toward teacher retention efforts.

Vos balked at Underly's proposal that would use the state surplus to help pay for her proposals.

"I think the idea of spending way more than the amount that we have is off the table," Vos said.