The incoming Speaker of the state Assembly is making an effort to get Democrats involved in the legislative process. Republican Speaker-elect Robin Vos on Tuesday named members of both parties as co-chairs of two Assembly committees.
Cuba City Republican Travis Tranel and Milwaukee Democrat Leon Young will co-chair the Assembly’s State-and-Federal Relations panel. La Crosse Democrat Jill Billings will join Delafield Republican Chris Kapenga as the leaders of the Ethics and Constitution Committee.
Vos says it’s the first time in 18 years that Assembly panels will have chairs from both parties.
Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) say he appreciate the gesture to have two co-chairs come from his party, and hopes it’s a sign Republicans will start working with them in a meaningful manner that “goes beyond window dressing.”
When lawmakers return in January, the Assembly will have 44 standing committees, up from 35 in the 2011-2012 session.
