Wisconsin Democrats to Hold Control and May Challenge Act 10

Democrats will hold total control of Wisconsin state government in just a couple of months, raising urgent questions about how they will wield their new legislative majority and whether they will move swiftly to dismantle the state’s landmark 2011 labor laws.

Wisconsin Act 10 Faces a New Legal Reckoning

Madison politics are changing rapidly as the Wisconsin Supreme Court prepares to hear a high-stakes lawsuit challenging Wisconsin Act 10, WPR reported. Nearly 16 years after then-Gov. Scott Walker pushed through the sweeping legislation that stripped most public sector unions of their collective bargaining powers, the state’s high court has agreed to review the law.

How will Wisconsin Democrats use their legislative majority? — PBS Wisconsin and Wisconsin Public Radio

Zac Schultz of WPR said that it seems fairly coincidental that the court’s decision to hear the case came out just after the election, adding that the timing followed a familiar pattern of post-election news releases.

While the judicial branch weighs the constitutionality of the measures, Democratic legislative leaders say they may not wait for a final court ruling. Assembly Democratic leader Greta Neubauer has indicated that her caucus intends to move forward quickly on the issue rather than standing back to let the litigation run its course.

Democrats take control of Wisconsin Senate, Assembly — Channel 3000 / News 3 Now

Greta Neubauer told WPR that the Legislature is still going to take up the issue.

Rich Kremer, WPR, reported that conservatives and the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty estimate repealing Act 10 could cost local governments and school districts roughly $2 billion in added expenses, creating widespread budget shortfalls across the state.

David Crowley Assembles Transition Team and Names Key Staff

In the state Senate, Dianne Hesselbein was formally elected as the new majority leader. Hesselbein quickly announced that Sen. LaTonya Johnson of Milwaukee will co-chair the powerful Joint Finance Committee, cementing a strong leadership axis between Milwaukee and the Madison area.

As Assembly Democrats prepare to take power, Greta Neubauer was elected to leadership in the Assembly. With a competitive Assembly map looming in a couple of years, the incoming Democratic majorities face potential influence and challenges regarding their policy goals and caucus dynamics.