In this update:
- State of the State Address
- Redistricting Updates
- Legislative Updates
- Election Updates
- Administration Updates
- Upcoming Events
State of the State Address
Read the Michael Best Strategies update on the State of the State Address: click here.
Redistricting Updates
Republicans advance maps based on Governor Evers proposed maps
Rather than waiting for the Wisconsin State Supreme Court to choose the new maps, Senate and Assembly Republicans passed a revised version of Governor Tony Evers’ (D) submitted proposed maps. On Tuesday, Senate Republicans approved the bill on a 17-14 vote. Sen. Joan Ballweg (R), Sen. Julian Bradley (R), Sen. Chris Kapenga (R), and Sen. Eric Wimberger (R) joined Democratic Senators in opposition of the bill. Sen. Ballweg, Sen. Bradley, and Sen. Wimberger would still be in pairs after the amendment. The Assembly approved the bill with the amendment 63-35 along party lines the next day.
The GOP amendment would still leave some GOP senators paired. For example, it wouldn’t change plans under Evers’ map to put Sens. Dan Knodl, of Germantown, and Duey Strobel, of Saukville, in the same district, as well as Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, and Bradley, and John Jagler, R-Watertown, and Ballweg.
Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said the proposal only made “minor” changes to prevent the governor’s attempt to target GOP incumbents, citing six of the proposed seats with Republican pairs and only one pair of Democratic Senators. WisPolitics analyzed Gov. Evers’ submitted map to the state Supreme Court found it would pair seven Senate incumbents in six districts and 15 members of the Assembly in 15 seats. The maps proposed by other Democratic parties included more pairings than Gov. Evers proposed.
The Legislative Reference Bureau reported to Sen. LeMahieu that the amendment would:
- Keep Sen. Andre Jacque (R) in the 1st District rather than a new 30th District
- Move Sen. Howard Marklein (R) back into the 17th District
- it would unpair:
- Rep. John Macco (R) and Rep. Shae Sortwell (R)
- Rep. Amy Binsfeld (R) and Rep. Paul Tittl (R)
- Rep. Michael Schraa (R) and Rep. Nate Gustafson (R)
- Rep. Bob Donovan (R) and Rep. Daniel Riemer (D)
On the Assembly floor, Minority Leader Greta Neubauer argued voting on the maps was rushed and partisan, arguing “the people of Wisconsin deserve better than an 11th-hour bill.” Speaker Vos pointed to the Democratic representatives for rejecting maps he says give them 99% of what they asked for, and they are letting their desire for perfection get in the way. “When you get 99% of what you propose, do you know what they call that in politics? A win,” he said. “So why, when you get 99% of what you want, would the people on the left side of the aisle vote no against their own governor’s map?”
After Assembly Republicans approved the Senate amendment of the governor’s maps, Gov. Evers said he’ll veto them. “Moving legislative district lines so GOP-gerrymandered incumbents get to keep their seats is just more gerrymandering,” Evers said in a post on his X account.
Read the Michael Best Strategies ‘Wisconsin Redistricting Update’ slidedeck: click here
GOP lawmakers file another motion to delay redistricting case
Legislative Republicans and the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty filed a motion requesting the Supreme Court reconsider its rejection of their previous motion to delay the case to provide more time to examine factual issues. On January 11th, the court rejected their previous motion without comment, with conservative justices Rebecca Bradley, Brian Hagedorn and Annette Ziegler dissenting. The new motion argues the more than 1,500 pages of proposed arguments, expert opinions, and other supporting material filed with the court January 12th “raise substantial issues of fact” that demand additional court proceedings, including a cross-examination of the experts.
Legislative Updates
GOP legislators announce new tax cut
Legislative Republicans announced a new tax plan to reduce the state’s tax burden by $2 billion in 2024-25. The proposal targets the middle class by expanding the second tax bracket. The Legislative Fiscal Bureau reported the annual tax break would decrease in 2025-26 to $1.4 billion. The average decrease would be $781 in 2024-25. “It’s important that we finally use our incredible surplus that we have from the taxpayers and give it back to the hardworking families in Wisconsin to make sure that our economy continues to grow, that people invest in Wisconsin and want to stay here, and that we can have a great state for everyone,” Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R) said.
The package of bills includes:
- an expansion of the second tax bracket to up to $150,000 for married couples filing jointly, $112,500 for single, and head-of-household and $75,000 for married-separate filers.
- an exemption of the first $75,000 of retirement income from taxes for those 65 and older.
- an expansion of the maximum married couple tax credit from $480 to $870.
- an expansion of the child and dependent care tax credit to align with the federal credit and increase maximum credits to $10,000 per child or dependent and $20,000 for two or more children or dependents.
Gov. Tony Evers’ (D) spokesperson Britt Cudaback said the governor will review the proposals but “doesn’t weigh in on legislation he has yet to see.”
LFB projects $3.25 billion surplus for the 2023-25 biennium
The Legislative Fiscal Bureau announced the state is projected to end the 2023-25 with a $3.25 billion surplus. The estimated surplus is almost $800 million less than what was projected last year when the budget was signed. The projection released this week takes into account legislation that was passed since the budget took effect, including a deal between Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R) and the UW-System leaders. That deal alone allocates $423 million in funding for new building projects. The decreased surplus also is due to $422.3 million less in tax collections for the remainder of the biennium. Joint Finance Committee Co-Chairs Rep. Mark Born (R) and Sen. Howard Marklein (R) said the new estimates were what they had expected when the budget was signed, and the numbers underscore the importance of returning the state’s surplus to taxpayers. “With over $3 billion in the bank and $1.8 billion in the state’s rainy-day fund, it is critical for us to return a portion of these funds to the people of Wisconsin,” they said in a statement.
Read LFB’s memo.
Election Updates
Pres. Biden visits Superior on Thursday
President Joe Biden visited Superior to tout the $1 billion in federal funding for a bridge connecting Superior to Duluth, MN. He said the bridge was not just an investment in critical infrastructure, but an effort to rebuild American pride. He called the American people “the real heroes in this whole story,” and said they’re doing the work to bring their communities back. “That’s what America does. That’s why I’ve never been more optimistic about the future,” Pres. Biden said. He visited the bridge two years ago and said it would be rebuilt with funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. He came back this week to tout the $1.06 billion in federal funds that was approved for the project. He said the bridge would make a difference in the local economy, cut commute times, reduce accidents, and would result in 10,000 union construction jobs. “We’re investing in America, in jobs for American workers, built with American products,” Pres. Biden said.
Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairman Brian Schimming dismissed the president’s visit as an attempt to cover up his poor track record on the economy. “Look, there’s a reason we’re getting all this tourism in Wisconsin from the White House,” Mr. Schimming said. “And that is not that we all know that President Biden will lose Wisconsin in November. It’s because he’s lost Wisconsin already.” He pointed to higher grocery prices, a loss in manufacturing in the state, and security at the U.S.-Mexico border as issues that President Biden has not dealt with adequately.
Watch President Biden’s speech here.
VP Harris visits Waukesha
Vice President Kamala Harris visited Waukesha on Monday to commemorate the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Wisconsin was the first stop on a campaign around the country to target moves by former President Donald Trump and the Supreme Court to restrict abortion. She said that former Pres. Trump was “proud” that he aided in the effort to overturn Roe v. Wade. “Proud? Proud that women across our nation are suffering? Proud that women have been robbed of this fundamental freedom? Proud that doctors could be thrown in prison for caring for their patients, that young women today have fewer rights than their mothers and grandmothers? How dare he,” VP Harris said at IUPAT District Council 7. She also referred to an 1849 Wisconsin law that Dane County judge Dianne Schlipper recently ruled applies to feticide and not abortion. “In a state whose motto is ‘Forward,’ these extremists are trying to take us backwards,” she said.
Prior to the VP’s visit to Wisconsin, Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairman Brian Schimming issued a statement that read in part “If Kamala Harris really wants to help Wisconsin, she should go to the southern border, do her part to solve the migrant crisis, and mend the breaches in our national security… Wisconsinites are less safe and more vulnerable because of the Biden-Harris Open Borders policies.”
Pres. Biden adds to his Wisconsin team
President Joe Biden’s campaign continued to grow their Wisconsin team by hiring three more people. Iris Riis will be his deputy campaign manager. She has served in communication roles and served as the deputy director for the state Democratic Party since 2022. Nick Truog will serve as political director after serving in that capacity for the state party since 2020. He also previously worked for U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore (D) and as a senior political adviser to Mandela Barnes’ U.S. Senate campaign. Lastly, Anna Surrey will serve as the general election director for Pres. Biden and VP Kamala Harris. She has spent the past two years as DPW’s coordinated campaign director, and during the 2020 cycle, she was the organizing director for the Biden-Harris campaign and the state party. These three hires join state campaign manager Garren Randolph and senior advisers Devin Remiker and Tanya Bjork.
Administration Updates
Rebecca Easland appointed as New Deputy Commissioner of OCI
The Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) announced the appointment of Rebecca Easland to serve as Deputy Commissioner last week. Deputy Commissioner Easland previously served as Senior Policy Advisor with the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS). Before joining IAIS, Deputy Commissioner Easland worked at OCI for over 15 years as a Financial Examiner and the Director of the Financial Analysis and Examination Bureau.
“We are fortunate to have a talented and dedicated leadership team at OCI, and I am excited to welcome Rebecca Easland back to OCI to help us fulfill our mission of protecting consumers and ensuring that our insurance market remains strong and competitive,” said Commissioner Nathan Houdek. Deputy Commissioner Easland’s new role includes managing the day-to-day operations and supervising the regulatory and administrative responsibilities of OCI.
Gov’s workforce and AI task force meets
The Governor’s Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence held its third meeting on Monday, January 22nd. Guest speakers included Stephanie Wright, Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Center for Advanced Manufacturing, and Stacey Weismiller, Initiative and Community Lead for the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chains USA, which is part of the World Economic Forum. Ms. Wright discussed the importance of a human-centered approach for incorporating artificial intelligence while Ms. Weismiller spoke about her participation in the recent World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Following the presentations from the two guest speakers, representatives from the taskforce subcommittees presented their initial ideas for policy directions and investments related to workforce development and educational systems to capitalize on the AI transformation. The meeting concluded with remarks from DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek and DOA Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld highlighting the record high workforce participation and jobs available in the state.
For additional details on the taskforce meeting, read the Michael Best Strategies memo: click here.
Evers appoints Lena Taylor to the Milwaukee County Circuit Court
Governor Tony Evers (D) announced he is appointing state Sen. Lena Taylor (D) to the Milwaukee County Circuit Court. The appointment is effective Tuesday and fills the vacancy left by Judge Audrey Skwierawski when she was tapped by the state Supreme Court to take over as director of state courts in August 2023. Sen. Taylor will serve the remainder of Judge Skwierawski’s term, which is set to expire July 31, 2025. She would then be required to run for a full six-year term in April 2026. “Senator Taylor is a committed public servant who has dedicated her life to pursuing justice for her community and the people of Wisconsin,” said Gov. Evers. “I am confident that she will serve the people of Milwaukee County well as a circuit court judge.”
Sen. Taylor was first elected to the Senate in 2004 after serving a short stint in the Assembly. Prior to her time in the legislature, she worked as a public defender, eventually opening her own general practice firm in 1996. In a statement announcing her resignation from the senate, Sen. Taylor said “It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve the people of the 4th Senate and the 18th Assembly Districts, over the course of my 20-year tenure with the Wisconsin State Legislature…I will take the many years of service on the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, my tenure as the committee chair, and wealth of legislative experience creating law, reviewing policy, and training to this new role. I am excited and appreciative of Governor Ever’s trust in my ability to serve the community in this capacity.”
Governor Evers announced that he will call a Special Election later this spring to fill Taylor’s vacant senate seat. State Representatives in Taylor’s former senate district who may consider a run include Rep. LaKeshia Myers, Rep. Darrin Madison Jr. and Rep. Dora Drake.
