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Wisconsin Senate Dems Unveil Agenda For Upcoming Session

Focus On Education Funding, Infrastructure Tough Sell With GOP Majority

By
Patty Murray/WPR

The state Senate’s two top Democrats unveiled their party’s legislative agenda for the next session Thursday, highlighting proposals they say will help Wisconsin’s economy and the middle class.

Many of the bills, however, will face an uphill battle in a Legislature controlled by Republicans.

Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling unveiled the so-called “Badger Blueprint” at the Brown County Courthouse in Green Bay. Shilling said Republican priorities in recent months have focused on things like John Doe laws and the Government Accountability Board. She argued constituents care more about the economy.

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“Nobody ever came up to me and said, ‘Sen. Shilling, I think dismantling the Government Accountability Board is a good idea,” she said.

Shilling and Assistant Minority Leader Dave Hansen said their party’s focus in the next session will be on restoring aid to public schools, infrastructure, and holding down interest rates on student loans. Hansen acknowledged that agenda will be hard to get through.

“We may be polar opposites, because I think we are representing the constituents of our state,” he said.

The next session begins Jan. 7.