As Wisconsin’s state government gears up for the start of its 2013 session, state Rep. Robin Vos, R-Rochester, was elected Assembly Speaker and state Sen. Chris Larson was chosen as Minority Leader of the state Senate Tuesday.
Vos, who was elected to the position unanimously, said in a statement that during his tenure he would focus on creating private sector jobs and encourage a “free flow of ideas” because the “best ideas are the ones reached together.”
“As speaker, my goal is to create a more efficient and effective state Assembly where the debate is vibrant but also relevant,” Vos said.
Vos said he hopes to pass a version of the contentious mining bill that failed last session, which would make it easier companies to mine in Wisconsin, legislation that would lower income tax and education reform.
Larson, whose election came to the surprise of some who thought Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, would be chosen, said in a statement he would pursue bipartisanship in a senate that has been sharply divided along party lines in recent years.
“For the sake of Wisconsin’s future, I encourage members of the Legislature to work together as Wisconsinites by casting off our partisan labels and setting aside any politically divisive agendas,” Larson said.
Larson said he looks forward to working on important issues such as job creation, education, and government transparency, as well as the implementation of the health care exchange in accordance with the Affordable Care Act, which is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2014.
Daniel Statter, chair of the Associated Students of Madison Legislative Affairs Committee said he hopes the new leadership in state government will address important issues facing higher education in Wisconsin.
“I’m confident that we will see an increased support of the UW System and a continued appreciation for what this university provides to the state,” Statter said.
The somewhat surprising choice of Larson even inspired a tweet from Washington Correspondent for “The Nation” and Wisconsin native John Nichols, who pegged Larson as “young, savvy” and a potential Democratic gubernatorial candidate in 2014.
Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, retained their positions. Vos is taking over former Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald and Larson is taking over for Sen. Mark Miller, D-Monona.
