MADISON—After the dust settled from last November’s elections, Democrats controlled the Wisconsin state senate (18-15) and gained eight seats in the assembly, though Republicans kept control (52-47). With party control of the legislature split, the looming question is: Can a state budget be passed on time?

The Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance (WISTAX) poses this question in its latest issue of The Wisconsin Taxpayer, which takes an in-depth look at "The New Wisconsin Legislature," both its members and prospects. The four-seat pickup in the senate gives Democrats control of that house for the first time since 2002, and the eight-seat gain in the assembly was the first increase for Democrats since 1991. Governor James E. Doyle also became the first Democrat to win reelection to the state’s top office since former-Governor Patrick J. Lucey in 1974, said WISTAX, a nonprofit, nonpartisan public-policy research organization that aims to educate and inform Wisconsin citizens.

When the Governor unveils his 2007-09 spending plan in February, the budget-building task will occupy much of the attention of the 132 state lawmakers, and particularly the 21 freshmen. It is likely to be the first major exercise testing whether compromise or impasse will rule this biennium.

The split legislature also means that the Joint Committee on Finance (JCF) will have eight Republicans and eight Democrats, unlike the last biennium when it was dominated by the GOP (12-4). This balance will require compromise, or the budget impasses of the late 1990’s may return.

Recent history shows that a divided legislature means a longer and more contentious budget process. The budget bills of 1997 and 1999 were not signed until October, and the 2001 budget—the last with a split legislature—was signed on August 30. By contrast, the last two budgets, with one-party control of the legislature, were both signed in July.

The new WISTAX report also highlights some of the demographic changes in the legislature. For example, the new legislature is slightly older than in past years. The average age in the assembly is 51, up from 50 during the 2005 session; and the average age for senators is 54, up from 52 in 2005. The number of female legislators dropped from 26 to 22 in the assembly. Several female incumbents chose not to run, and others lost their races. Eight female senators remain in office, bringing the total number of female legislators to 30. Forty years ago, there were only two, both assembly Republicans.

Leadership also changed. In the senate, Fred Risser (D-SD 26) is president, majority leader is Judy Robson (D-SD 15), and minority leader is Scott Fitzgerald (R-SD 13). In the assembly, Michael Huebsch (R-AD 94) is the speaker, Jeff Fitzgerald (R-AD 39) is majority leader, and Jim Kreuser (D-AD 64) is minority leader.

For further details on how to contact members of the new Wisconsin legislature, WISTAX’s 2007 Legislative & Congressional Directory can be purchased for $1.75. Provided as an aid to citizens, this WISTAX publication includes statewide maps of Wisconsin’s senate, assembly and congressional districts, and contact information for legislators and constitutional officers.

Wisconsin citizens who want to know who represents them in Madison or Washington, can go to waml.legis.state.wi.us and enter an address and zip code. Additional information on contacting Wisconsin’s congressional delegation or following the state legislature’s activity throughout the session is explained in both the new Wisconsin Taxpayer and the Legislative Directory.

For a free copy of The Wisconsin Taxpayer titled "The New Wisconsin Legislature," or to purchase a complete 2007 Legislative & Congressional Directory ($1.75), write to WISTAX, 401 North Lawn Ave., Madison, WI 53704-5033; e-mail wistax@wistax.org; visit www.wistax.org; or phone 608.241.9789. o