Wisconsin state lawmakers were inaugurated Monday to commence a new session — the first after legislative districts were redrawn, shifting the political parties’ share of power in both chambers.
Republicans still hold majorities in both chambers, as they have since 2011, but by their narrowest margins in that same timeframe. On Monday, 54 Republicans and 45 Democrats were sworn into the Assembly, while about half of the Senate was sworn into new four-year terms, leaving an 18-15 Republican majority in that chamber.
In speeches in both chambers, Republicans pledged to use their majorities to push for tax cuts paid for by the state’s surplus, and to push back on Democratic attempts to spend that surplus instead.
In the Assembly on Monday, Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley administered the oath of office to representatives. All 99 ran for election or reelection under the new maps in November. And in the Senate at the same time, Waukesha County Judge Maria Lazar swore in 16 senators, those who represent the even-numbered districts that were up for election or reelection in November.