2021-2022 Legislative Session Begins

Happy New Year and welcome to another Wisconsin legislative session. The 2021-2022 Legislative Session begins today with the swearing in of the new Legislature.

Last November, Wisconsin electors doubled down on more gridlock in the state Capitol. With a relatively popular Democratic Governor in place, voters added to the Republican majority in the Senate and maintained a large Republican majority in the Assembly. The Republican majorities in both houses remain below the veto proof two-thirds majority threshold, however. 

An article previewing the challenges and opportunities we anticipate for municipalities this session was published in the January issue of The Municipality magazine. Read the article.

The League's Board of Directors has adopted an aggressive Legislative Agenda for the 2021-2022 session. READ THE LEAGUE'S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA HERE.

Legislative Calendar

Click here to see the preliminary legislative session calendar.

·   January 4, 2021 - 2021 Inauguration
·   January 5 to 7, 2021 - Floorperiod
·   January 12, 2021 - Floorperiod
·   January 26 to 28, 2021 - Floorperiod
·   February 16 to 18, 2021 - Floorperiod
·   March 16 to 25, 2021- Floorperiod
·   April 13 to 15, 2021 - Floorperiod
·   May 11 to 13, 2021 - Floorperiod
·   June 8 to 30, 2021, OR budget passage - Floorperiod
·   September 28 to 30, 2021 - Floorperiod
·   October 12 to 14, 2021 - Floorperiod
·   November 2 to 11, 2021 - Floorperiod
·   January 18 to 27, 2022 - Floorperiod
·   February 15 to 24, 2022 - Floorperiod
·   March 8 to 10, 2022 - Last general-business Floorperiod
·   April 19 to 21, 2022 - Limited-business Floorperiod
·   May 17 and 18, 2022 - Veto Review Floorperiod
·   January 3, 2023 - 2023 Inauguration

State of the State Address 

The annual State of the State Address will be delivered virtually at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 12, 2021. 

It can be viewed live at www.wiseye.org.

Toni Herkert Hired as New League Lobbyist

We are happy to announce that Toni Herkert, a former long-time policy advisor for Wisconsin State Senator Rob Cowles (R-Green Bay), has joined the League team as Government Affairs Director. Toni will work with League Deputy Director Curt Witynski to advocate for Wisconsin cities and villages. Over time, Toni will become the League's lead lobbyist as Curt takes on the responsibility of managing the day to day affairs of the League office. Toni has a wealth of experience working in the Capitol, for the Department of Natural Resources, and for a municipal wastewater utility. She is highly knowledgeable about water regulations affecting municipalities.

Please send Toni an email welcoming her to the League at [email protected].
Chairs of Local Government Committees Set

Representative Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville) will chair the Assembly Committee on Local Government this session. Rep. Novak is in his fourth term in the Legislature and also serves as the Mayor of Dodgeville. He chaired the Assembly Local Government Committee last session too. The League has worked closely with Rep. Novak over the last several sessions to pass legislation helpful to municipalities and to block bad bills from advancing.

Senator Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon) is chairing the Senate Committee on Transportation and Local Government this session. Sen. Petrowski served in the Assembly for 14 years before being elected to the Senate in 2012. The League has a strong relationship with the long time legislator who has chaired the Transportation Committee for years.
IN THE NEWS
Stimulus Bill Leaves WI Local Governments in Holding Pattern
"The CARES Act could only be used for expenditures," Curt Witynski said, "so that's why we were waiting for this fourth stimulus package, to be used for revenue losses." He said that could have helped communities as they struggle to prepare for any possible state cuts. Read the article. Click here to comment or share the article on the League's Facebook page.

Virus, elections, budget, redistricting top Wisconsin legislative agenda for new year
The Legislature returns in January with Republicans in the majority and Democratic Gov. Tony Evers at midterm. Evers and Republicans found little to agree on in his first two years and they’ve struggled to find common ground on the pandemic response, with the Legislature refusing to meet since it last passed a COVID-19 response in April. Read the article.
RECENTLY INTRODUCED LEGISLATION
No bills affecting municipalities have been introduced yet.
PUBLIC HEARINGS THIS WEEK
No public hearings on municipal bills are scheduled this week.
Questions or comments, contact:

Curt Witynski, Deputy Executive Director, [email protected]
Toni Herkert, Government Affairs Director, [email protected]