With Democrats now in control of both houses of the state Legislature, lawmakers disagree on the amount of change that will be seen at the state level in the next legislative session.
State Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, said while the projected state budget deficit will limit Democratic legislation in at least the first term, the Democrats will eventually be able to carry out their agenda.
Black said he expects the smoking ban that failed in the Legislature last session to pass under Democratic control, and Healthy Wisconsin, a health care plan that also failed last session, could succeed depending on health care legislation on the national level.
According to Mike Mikalsen, spokesperson for state Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, Healthy Wisconsin is widely"" unpopular and would require significant tax increases.
Mikalsen said Democrats can ""talk a good game,"" but there will not be enough funds to carry out their policies.
Ryan Murray, spokesperson for state Sen. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, said while Democratic majorities will halt Republican legislation, the Democratic agenda will also be slowed by financial constraints.
""I think they're going to quickly realize it won't be as easy as they thought,"" Murray said.
State Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, said the Democrats will be able to pass a budget that will allow their legislation to move efficiently.
He said while constraints in state dollars will force the Democrats to prioritize their agenda, the fact that their legislation will be the agenda in both houses is the most significant change.
Black said the Democrats will be able to increase the state funds necessary for the changes they are aiming to make by first enacting laws to close corporate loopholes, a move he said would fund Democratic policies without raising income or property taxes.
According to Mikalsen, conservative Democrats and Republicans will unite to form an alliance against raising taxes that will act as a check on the Democratic legislation. He said this will not only prevent increased spending but also slow progress of the Democrats' agenda.
""The Democrats will be forced to focus on social issues, the very issues they criticized Republicans for focusing on,"" Mikalsen said, citing a bill authored by state Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, to grant domestic partner benefits.
Mikalsen said the Republicans' strategy to counter the Democratic majorities will be to continue showing alternatives to the higher taxes and increased spending he expects from the Democrats.
Black said he wants to work with, not against, state Republicans to move legislation forward.
""We'll extend the opportunity to them to participate,"" Black said. ""Republicans who want to work with us and move the state forward will be welcomed.""
