November 13, 2008

Rep. Mike Sheridan, a relative newcomer with only four years experience in the Assembly, promised to be an inclusive leader over the next two years and work with Republicans.

"It's time for us to get things done," he said.

Sheridan, 50, defeated Rep. Jon Richards of Milwaukee. Also on Wednesday, 32-year-old Rep. Tom Nelson of Kaukauna beat Rep. Pedro Colon of Milwaukee to become the Democrats' majority leader.

The defeat of two Milwaukee representatives left the state's largest city with no top leaders in the Assembly or Senate. The two co-chairs of the powerful budget-writing committee were widely expected to be lawmakers from Madison.

Colon said not having Milwaukee represented in leadership positions will make it more difficult for the city to get issues addressed in the Legislature.

"It's not a positive sign, but it's something we can work through," he said.

Nelson, who was a surprise winner, is best known for having slept five nights at his desk in the Assembly chamber during protracted budget talks in October 2007, staging a one-man sit-in that generated national attention.

During this year's election, in which Democrats gained majority control, Nelson worked on behalf of candidates across the state.

Sheridan becomes the first Democrat to serve as speaker in 14 years. Republicans have held the majority since 1994. Democrats now control the Assembly, Senate and governor's office, giving them a tremendous opportunity to enact their priorities.

They face daunting challenges.

First and foremost is a possible $5 billion budget shortfall, or worse, that Gov. Jim Doyle warned will necessitate state job reductions, tax increases and spending cuts. Doyle supports a new tax on hospitals and oil companies, two proposals that Democrats in the Senate supported last session but that Assembly Republicans were able to stop.

The $5 billion problem equates to about $900 for every man, woman and child in the state. It is about 18 percent of the total current two-year budget.

Sheridan said it was too early to talk about tax increases, but he didn't did not rule out a general sales or income tax increase to address the budget shortfall.

Along with fixing the budget, Sheridan said his top priority will be campaign finance reform. He railed against the influence of unregulated outside groups that sent mailers and ran radio ads in many legislative races this year.

Sheridan also mentioned creating more job opportunities and health care reform, but did not get into specifics.

One of the biggest questions for the upcoming two years will be whether Doyle and Democratic leaders in both houses can work together to solve the state's budget problems and pass legislation they all back. In his six years as governor, Doyle has never had a Democratic majority to work with in the Legislature.

He and Democratic lawmakers haven't always agreed.

Doyle split with Senate Democrats last year on the Healthy Wisconsin universal health care plan it passed. Doyle never backed the measure. Doyle has also been at odds with Democratic Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker on a statewide smoking ban and other lesser issues.

There are a host of other issues that will be in front of the Legislature this year, in addition to the budget crisis. Strengthening drunken driving laws, offering domestic partner benefits for state workers, and repealing a limit on teacher salary and benefit increases are all expected to get another look under Democratic control. Other issues expected to be debated are increasing the minimum wage, closing business tax loopholes and mandating health insurance coverage for children with autism.

Democrats have a 52-46 majority in the Assembly, with one independent. They have an 18-15 majority in the Senate.

On the Republican side, Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald of Horicon will serve as leader for the next two years. There is no change in leadership in the Senate. Sen. Scott Fitzgerald of Juneau is the minority leader for Republicans and Sen. Russ Decker is majority leader for Democrats.

Associated Press