Frederica Freyberg:

This fall’s election saw Republicans in the legislature gain additional seats in both the Senate and Assembly. But not enough to override the veto pen of Democratic Governor Tony Evers. “Here & Now” senior political reporter Zac Schultz sat down with Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu this week to talk about his vision for the legislative session.

Zac Schultz:

Republican Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu says voters in Wisconsin sent a clear and perhaps divided message in the election this fall.

Devin LeMahieu:

The message was sent that voters do trust us but I think we also learned that Wisconsin maybe likes divided government as well by re-electing Tony Evers.

Zac Schultz:

LeMahieu says ironically Republicans helped Evers win by sending him two fiscally conservative budgets to sign during his first term in office.

Devin LeMahieu:

Unfortunately for us, it worked for him but we’ll continue to do what we think is important for the state of Wisconsin.

Zac Schultz:

Republicans and Evers saw each other as adversaries over the last two years so there was little communication between the governor’s office and the legislature. LeMahieu hopes that is changing.

Devin LeMahieu:

Obviously there are some who — people in the state who voted for Republican legislators and a Democrat for governor so we need to try to work together, find some solutions while still making sure we’re being responsible in our budgeting.

Zac Schultz:

The budget will be the first big test of whether the two branches of government can come together. Thankfully, writing a budget when the state has a projected $6.6 billion surplus is a lot easier than when there is a deficit.

Devin LeMahieu:

We have an unprecedented surplus.

Zac Schultz:

LeMahieu says Republicans will start with a giant tax cut.

Devin LeMahieu:

When the state is collecting $6.6 billion more than they’re spending, people are being overtaxed. We need to provide permanent tax relief in that situation.

Zac Schultz:

Governor Evers says his priorities will include more money for public education and local government. LeMahieu says Republicans aren’t opposed to that but he hopes to negotiate the dollar figures with the governor.

Devin LeMahieu:

If the governor is willing to work with us and negotiate, I think we can accomplish some of the things he wants to accomplish while still doing important tax relief, investing in education, expanding school choice.

Zac Schultz:

The next compromise between Senate Republicans and the governor is over appointments. Over the last four years, Republicans have refused to hold final votes on multiple cabinet-level appointments and Evers appointees to governing bodies like the DNR board and the UW Board of Regents. LeMahieu says Evers picks were too partisan.

Devin LeMahieu:

I think we’ve seen some of the appointments lately have been — seem to be more politically charged.

Zac Schultz:

The biggest controversy was over Fred Prehn, who refused to step down from his seat on the DNR board at the end of his term, after Republicans privately urged him to stay on to deny Evers’ nominees a majority. The case went to the Wisconsin Supreme Court where they ruled there was no process to remove him other than for the Senate to confirm a successor. Do you expect Fred Prehn to stay on the DNR board?

Devin LeMahieu:

I haven’t talked to him so I’m not sure.

Zac Schultz:

LeMahieu says it’s up to Evers to appoint someone the Senate will accept.

Devin LeMahieu:

You know, if we’re going to confirm some of these appointments they need to be people who are qualified and serious in these positions and not just political operatives doing the will of environmental extremists.

Zac Schultz:

The legislative session starts January 3rd. Reporting from Madison, I’m Zac Schultz for “Here & Now.”