Wisconsin's Senate leaders have made significant announcements regarding the composition of the Joint Finance Committee for the upcoming session. This committee holds great power as it is responsible for crafting the state's biennial budget, covering the period from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2027. Three Republicans, Sen. Julian Bradley (R-New Berlin), Romaine Quinn (R-Cameron), and Rob Stafsholt (R-New Richmond), will serve on the committee for the first time. They will replace Sen. Joan Ballweg and Duey Stroebel, who lost their reelection bids, and Sen. Mary Felzkowski, who was elected as Senate president. Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) will continue as the Senate co-chair, while Sens. Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point) as vice-chair and Eric Wimberger (R-Green Bay) will also remain on the committee.

New Perspectives and Experiences

Marklein celebrated the appointments, emphasizing that the new members will bring unique new perspectives and experiences to the Senate finance team. This diversity is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the budget decisions.The state currently has a $4 billion budget surplus, and deciding how to utilize it will be a key discussion. Lawmakers, including the new members, have indicated that cutting taxes will likely be a top priority. Sen. Devin LeMahieu stated that he is confident the new Senate finance team will responsibly use the surplus to shrink the size of government and reduce the tax burden on Wisconsin families. Sen. Julian Bradley said that with the surplus, the state can return more money to taxpayers and make investments in local roads, workforce development, and schools. Rob Stafsholt also looked forward to getting to work on these matters.Democratic Senate members will remain the same, with Sen. LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee) and Kelda Roys (D-Madison) continuing on the committee. Sen. Dianne Hesselbein called them effective and passionate advocates for Wisconsin priorities and said they will serve the caucus and state well during the budget process.Assembly members of the committee have not been announced yet, leaving some aspects of the budget process still in suspense. However, the appointments of these new Senate members bring a sense of anticipation and potential for significant changes in the state's financial landscape.The Joint Finance Committee will face the challenge of balancing the need for fiscal responsibility with the desire to provide benefits to the taxpayers. With the expertise and diverse perspectives of the new members, there is hope that they can make informed decisions that will benefit the state in the long run.These appointments mark an important milestone in Wisconsin's budget process and will likely have a lasting impact on the state's financial future. As the session approaches, all eyes will be on the Joint Finance Committee to see how they navigate the complex issues surrounding the budget and the $4 billion surplus.