The election held on November 4th created a major change in the make up of the state legislature.  The Democrats took control of the Assembly for the first time since 1995 and kept control of the Senate.  Democrats now have 52 members in the Assembly to 46 Republicans and 1 Independent (Jeff Woods).  In the Senate there was no change in the balance between Democrats and Republicans.  Democrats continue to hold an 18 to 15 edge.

What this means is that there will be significant changes in the Assembly.  There will be new leadership in January.  There will be new chairs of every committee and there will likely be a restructuring of committees.  What had often been described as gridlock between the two houses will have a chance to get freed up.

With both houses and the governorship controlled by Democrats, there will likely be quick movement on several issues favored by the Democrats such as the hospital bed assessment and a tax on oil companies, especially given the large budget shortfall facing the state.  This could happen even before the next state budget is introduced.  In addition, there is interest in addressing campaign finance, the minimum wage, health care, and a statewide smoking ban.

In terms of disability matters, there has been discussion about addressing the need for a new cochlear implant bill and an autism insurance bill.  As you remember both of these bills were defeated in the last legislative session.

The following is a list of the new leaders in the legislature that will take effect in January 2009:

Assembly Democratic Majority Leadership:
Speaker: Mike Sheridan (Janesville)
Majority Leader: Tom Nelson (Kaukauna)
Speaker Pro Temp: Tony Staskunas (West Allis) Caucus Chair: Peter Barca (Kenosha) Caucus Vice-Chair: Barbara Toles (Milwaukee)

Assembly Republican Minority Leadership:
Minority Leader: Jeff Fitzgerald (Horicon) Assistant Minority Leader: Mark Gottlieb (Port Washington) Caucus Chair: Scott Suder (Abbottsford) Caucus Vice-Chair: Joel Kleefisch (Oconomowoc)

Senate Democratic Majority Leadership:
Majority Leader: Russ Decker (Weston)
Assistant Majority Leader: Dave Hansen (Green Bay) Senate President: Fred Risser (Madison) President Pro Temp: Pat Kreitlow (Chippewa Falls) Caucus Chair: John Lehman (Racine) Caucus Vice-Chair: Kathleen Vinehout (Alma)

Senate Republican Minority Leadership:
Minority Leader: Scott Fitzgerald (Juneau) Assistant Minority Leader: Glenn Grothman (West Bend) Caucus Chair: Joseph Leibham (Sheboygan) Caucus Vice-Chair: Sheila Harsdorf (River Falls)

So far only the Assembly Democrats and Senate Republicans have named their members to the Joint Finance Committee:
Rep. Mark Pocan (Madison), Co-Chair
Rep. Pedro Colon (Milwaukee), Vice-Chair Rep. Tamara Grigsby (Milwaukee) Rep. Cory Mason (Racine) Rep. Gary Sherman (Port Wing) Rep. Jennifer Shilling (La Crosse) Sen. Alberta Darling (River Hills) Sen. Luther Olsen (Ripon)

Other members from the Assembly and Senate will be named soon.