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In this update:
- Election Updates
- Administration Updates
- Legislative Updates
- Committee Schedule
- Upcoming Events
| | MBS hosts Meet the Candidate series | |
Michael Best Strategies recently welcomed two gubernatorial candidates as part of its ongoing Meet the Candidate series. Colleagues and clients heard directly from Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann and Representative Francesca Hong, offering perspectives from both the Republican and Democratic fields.
The series will continue on February 2, featuring a lunchtime meet-and-greet with Congressman Tom Tiffany, followed by an afternoon session with former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes.
| | Candidates for governor submit finance reports | |
Candidates for governor submitted their campaign finance reports on January 15th. The total contributions each candidate received in 2025, including in-kind, are as follows:
Republicans
Tom Tiffany (entered race Sep.)
Total Contributions: $2.12 million
Josh Schoemann (entered race May)
Total Contributions: $963,444
Democrats
David Crowley (entered race Sep.)
Total Contributions: $800,948
Sara Rodriguez (entered race July)
Total Contributions: $665,464
Joel Brennan (entered race Dec.)
Total Contributions: $567,822
Mandela Barnes (entered race Dec.)
Total Contributions: $561,298
Missy Hughes (entered race Sep.)
Total Contributions: $479,084
Kelda Roys (entered race Sep.)
Total Contributions: $403,257
Francesca Hong (entered race Sep.)
Total Contributions: $383,826
| Novak seeks re-election for 51st AD | |
Republican Representative Todd Novak has announced his intention to seek re-election in 2026. Since first being elected in 2014, he has focused on bipartisan problem-solving and addressing issues important to the 51st Assembly District which includes Lafayette, Iowa and portions of Grant and Dane counties.
Representative Novak stated, “Working across the aisle for common sense solutions is how I’ve always approached governing. We’ve been able to accomplish a lot to help address affordability, reduce the tax burden, support education, and reduce healthcare costs.”
This session, Representative Novak partnered with the Wisconsin Department of Justice to secure permanent funding for the Office of School Safety. He also supported the creation of a program addressing rural childcare shortages and advanced a budget provision expanding student mental health serviced across University of Wisconsin campuses.
He worked with both legislative leaders and the Governor to increase support for Wisconsin’s dairy industry and secured additional resources for Community Health Centers and free and charitable clinics.
Also running in the 51st AD in Democratic candidate Ben Gruber, of Arena, who is a DNR warden and president of AFSCME Local 121.
The 51st AD is a key swing district for control of the state Assembly. In 2024, Rep. Novak was elected with 51.7% of the vote. Meanwhile, in the same year, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D) won 52.9% of the district and VP Kamala Harris won 50.9%.
| Alfonso announced raising more than $300,000 in 7th CD bid | |
The campaign for Michael Alfonso, Republican candidate in Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District announced that it has raised more than $300,000 since launching.
According to a press release from the campaign, the fundraising total reflects broad support from contributors across the district. “Raising over $300,000 is a solid foundation for any campaign,” Mr. Alfonso stated. “Folks across the district want a serious, dedicated candidate and to elect a Representative who will show up, listen, and fight for them in Washington.”
His campaign noted that the fundraising milestone signals organizational readiness as the race continues to develop. Mr. Alfonso plans to spend the coming months traveling throughout the district, meeting with residents, and discussing priorities for working families, small businesses and rural communities in Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District.
| Taylor raises $2.6 million in 2025 for state Supreme Court race | |
Judge Chris Taylor’s campaign for the Wisconsin Supreme Court announced that it has raised more than $2.6 million since launching in May, including $2.04 million during the most recent reporting period from over 13,000 contributors.
“Wisconsinites understand the importance of electing a justice who has a proven record of protecting their fundamental rights and freedoms. That’s exactly what Judge Chris Taylor has done her entire career,” stated campaign manager Ashley Franz. “The record-breaking support shows we aren’t taking anything for granted. Last year we saw right-wing billionaires spend tens of millions to buy a seat on the Court and we know Maria Lazar will call on them to do the same this time around.”
Since entering the race, Judge Taylor has received endorsements from leaders throughout Wisconsin. More than 100 current and former judges have publicly supported her candidacy, along with Justices Jill Karofsky, Rebecca Dallet, Janet Protasiewicz, and Susan Crawford.
Campaign finance filings from comparable reporting periods in recent Supreme Court races show Justice Susan Crawford reporting $2.42 million raised, including $1 million from the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, while Justice Janet Protasiewicz reported $756,000. Judge Taylor did not receive any transfers from the Democratic Party of Wisconsin during this reporting period.
| Lazar raised $200K for Supreme Court race | |
State Appeals Court Judge Maria Lazar has reported raising about $200,000 since entering the Wisconsin Supreme Court race in October. Her opponent, Appeals Court Judge Chris Taylor, entered the race in May and has reported raising roughly $2.6 million, including $2 million in the last half of 2025.
A spokesperson for Lazar noted that the campaign expected to start behind in fundraising due to its later launch and is prioritizing direct voter engagement. Campaign finance reports, due January 15, have not yet been released.
The race will determine the successor to Justice Rebecca Bradley, who announced she would not seek another term. Judge Taylor previously served in the Legislature and on the Dane County Circuit Court before joining the Court of Appeals. Judge Lazar joined the Court of appeals in 2022 after serving as a Waukesha County judge, assistant attorney general, and private practice attorney.
| | Evers 2026 Legislative Agenda | |
Governor Tony Evers released his 2026 Legislative agenda as lawmakers return to session, calling for bipartisan action on several priorities, including $1 billion in property tax relief, increased K-12 funding, lower healthcare and household costs, expanded affordable housing, support for veterans and farmers, statewide PFAS remediation, and renewal of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. Wisconsin ended the fiscal year with nearly $4 billion in general fund and $2 billion in the rainy day fund, and updated revenue estimates are expected to increase.
A major point of contention remains the governor’s 2023 partial veto, which extended a $325 per-pupil revenue limit increase for centuries. Because the 2025-27 budget did not add new state aid under that formula, districts may raise property taxes to cover additional spending authority.
Republican leaders said property tax discussion must start with addressing the partial veto. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said the governor “made a mistake” with the veto and argued long-term relief must be paired with structural changes. The GOP-backed SB 389 / AB 391 would end the extended per-pupil increase after 2026-27; the Senate passed its version, and the Assembly committee advances the bill this week. Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said the veto is driving current property tax increases and urged the governor to approve the repeal.
Read the full press release here.
| | Assembly holds floor sessions |
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AR-010 (Rep. Zimmerman)
- Commends the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Falcons football team for winning the NCAA Division III National Championship.
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AJR-126 (Rep. Fitzgerald)
- Honors the life and public service of Representative Rudolph L. “Rudy” Silbaugh.
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AB-038 (Rep. Tusler)
- Creates an income tax exemption for cash tips received by employees.
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AB-106 (Rep. VanderMeer)
- Exempts certain residential electric vehicle charging stations from the electric vehicle charging tax.
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AB-212 (Rep. Gustafson)
- Established a registration process for out-of-state health care providers to offer telehealth services in Wisconsin.
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AB-226 (Rep. Moses)
- Prohibits school boards and independent charter schools from serving ultra-processed foods in free or reduced-price meal programs.
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AB-248 (Rep. Scott)
- Addresses procedures related to vacancies in appointive state offices.
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AB-296 (Rep. Tusler)
- Removed the 13-week limit on wage garnishment for certain debtors.
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AB-377 (Rep. Murphy)
- Designates English as the official state language and permits the use of AI of machine-assisted translation tools in place of appointing English-language interpreters; sets requirements for government and nongovernmental communication.
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AB-457 (Rep. Nedweski)
- Clarifies the circumstances under which a school district may pass a resolution to exceed its revenue limit.
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AB-461 (Rep. Melotik)
- Creates an income tax subtraction for qualifying overtime compensation.
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AB-502 (Rep. Goeben)
- Addresses outdoor advertising signs that do not meet local ordinances and are affected by transportation projects; includes provisions on compensation for sign removal and appraisal requirements for jurisdictional offers.
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AB-521 (Rep. Maxey)
- Requires the removal of vegetation obstructing outdoor advertising signs.
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AB-523 (Rep. Melotik)
- Prohibits the installation or sale of nonfunctional or counterfeit airbags and establishes penalties.
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SB-096 (Sen. Marklein)
- Exempts certain residential electric vehicle charging stations from the electric vehicle charging tax.
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SB-214 (Sen. Stafsholt)
- Creates a registration system for out-of-state health care providers to deliver telehealth services.
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SB-300 (Se. Hutton)
- Eliminates the 13-week limit on wage garnishment for certain debtors.
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SB-525 (Sen. Tomczyk)
- Requires the removal of vegetation that obstructs outdoor advertising signs.
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SB-537 (Sen. Wanggaard)
- Prohibits nonfunctional and counterfeit airbags and establishes penalties.
| Proposed Assembly floor calendar for Jan. 20th |
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AB-188 (Rep. Brooks)
- Reduces the penalty surcharge when certain fines or forfeitures are lowered.
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AB-253 (Rep. Brooks)
- Establishes provisions related to independence accounts.
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AB-389 (Rep. Franklin)
- Adds a veteran designation on driver’s licenses and identification cards for eligible service members.
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AB-393 (Rep. Sortwell)
- Allows individuals over age 70 and those with certain medical conditions to operate school buses under specific conditions.
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AB-554 (Rep. Moses)
- Regulates the sale, service, and labeling of food products containing lab-grown animal cells and establishes penalties.
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AB-555 (Rep. Spiros)
- Creates penalties for intentionally disarming a correctional officer.
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AB-564 (Rep. Summerfield)
- Permits chiropractors to conduct required health examinations for school employees.
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AB-650 (Committee on Workforce Development, Labor, and Integrated Employment)
- Provides funding for identity verification under unemployment insurance and makes an appropriation.
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AB-651 (Committee on Workforce Development, Labor, and Integrated Employment)
- Makes various updates to worker’s compensation law, grants rule-making authority, includes appropriations, and establishes penalties.
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AB-652 (Committee on Workforce Development, Labor, and Integrated Employment)
- Enacts multiple changes to the unemployment insurance system.
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AB-666 (Rep. O’Connor)
- Establishes penalties for fraudulent claims related to unclaimed property.
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AB-699 (Rep. Petersen)
- Creates a long-term care insurance assessment and a corresponding tax credit.
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AB-700 (Rep. Petersen)
- Provides funding for refundable long-term care insurance assessment credits.
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AB-751 (Rep. Summerfield)
- Revises how electric public utilities calculate fuel costs withing their fuel cost plans.
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AB-840 (Rep. Zimmerman)
- Sets regulatory requirements relating to the operation of data centers.
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SB-188 (Sen. Feyen)
- Reduces the penalty surcharge when certain fines or forfeitures are decreased.
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SB-387 (Sen. Jacque)
- Adds a veteran designation to driver’s licenses and identification cards for eligible service members.
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SB-482 (Sen. Feyen)
- Extends the carryover period for the research income tax credit.
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SB-533 (Sen. James)
- Establishes penalties for intentionally disarming a correctional officer.
| Upcoming Senate Floor Session | The state Senate is scheduled to convene on January 21, according to Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu’s office. This will mark the Senate’s first floor session of 2026. | |
The Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB)now projectsWisconsin will end the 2025-27 biennium with a $2.5 billion surplus, driven largely by higher-than-expected tax collections over the two-year period. The new estimate is $1.5 billion higher than last year’s projection, including nearly $1.4 billion in increased income and corporate tax revenues.
LFB attributes the stronger outlook to several factors, including higher national GDP growth in 2025 due to lower-than-expected inflation and a lower effective U.S. tariff rate compared to prior forecasts.
The report also outlines two significant areas of uncertainty:
- Medical Assistance (MA) shortfall: The Department of Health Services projects the MA program will end the biennium with a $213.2 million general-purpose-revenue shortfall, about 2.2% of the program’s GPR budget
- Hospital assessment compliance: Pending federal rulemaking under the Trump administration may affect Wisconsin’s increased hospital assessment adopted in the 2025-27 budget. If the change is disallowed, the state could lose $792 million in GPR for the biennium.
Because both issues remain unresolved, neither is included in LFB’s projection of a $2.5 billion gross balance at the close of 2025-27.
In response to LFB’s report, Joint Committee on Finance Co-Chairs Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) and Rep. Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam) issued the following statement:
“These revenue estimates are further proof that Legislative Republicans’ long-standing commitment to responsible budgeting and fiscal discipline is working. Through careful planning, conservative assumptions, and thoughtful decision-making, Wisconsin remains on strong financial footing, even in the face of economic uncertainty.
“Strong revenue collections, paired with sound fiscal management, have given the Legislature the ability to meet our core obligations while also remaining mindful of the cost-to-continue pressures facing the state budget. This disciplined approach ensures Wisconsin is prepared not only for today, but for the long term.
“Legislative Republicans have prioritized stability and restraint. These estimates allow us to continue to focus on policies that help families, seniors, and workers keep more of what they earn, while continuing to fund essential services relied upon by communities across the state.
“Despite stronger-than-expected collection numbers, we must remain cautious. These increased revenue estimates are driven in part by strong stock market performance and resulting tax collections. We must be careful when committing to ongoing spending using one-time money. Our disciplined approach has delivered results and put Wisconsin in a strong fiscal position. Legislative Republicans will continue to build on that success.”
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein (D-Madison) issued a statement that read in part:
“The people of Wisconsin expect that we will invest these increased revenues in initiatives that will lower costs, improve lives, and continue to help make Wisconsin a place where everyone can thrive.
“Wisconsin Senate Democrats are focused on what we owe the people of Wisconsin: a thoughtful review of the options and decisions about investments that reflect the priorities of the people of Wisconsin, meet critical needs, and are sustainable over time."
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Friday, January 23 - Capitol Chats with Senator Sarah Keyeski
Monday, February 2 - Meet the Candidate with Congressman Tom Tiffany
Monday, February 2 - Meet the Candidate with Former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes
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If you would like any additional information about the above topic, or if you would like to find time to discuss the above matter in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact your Michael Best Strategies contact.
Have a great day,
Wisconsin GR Team
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One South Pickney Street, Suite 700
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: 608-257-3501
Fax: 608-283-2275
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