Assembly Minority Leader Jim Kreuser wants a focus on "kitchen table issues." A vote of confidence from resurgent Assembly Democrats; they unanimously returned Krueser and assistant minority leader Jon Richards to their leadership posts. Top priorities for Kreuser; affordable tuition, safeguarding the environment, economic development and more. "The Medicaid issue, and how that affects a large part of our budget. The infrastructure . . and also how we're going to fund public schools."
In the last session, Kreuser's Democratic caucus invested a lot of effort in health care reform , and he says that focus hasn't changed. "Healthcare is one of the variables now in economic development, driving some people away from Wisconsin," said Kreuser, who's represented Kenosha's 64th Assembly District since 1993. "We need to be dealing with it, and I don't think we ought be waiting for the Federal government"
Kreuser also promises renewed efforts on campaign and ethics reform, and says with closer margins between Republicans and Democrats, he expects less of a focus on the "God, guns and gays" GOP social agenda, and more efforts towards compromise. Rep. Tony Staskunis of Milwakee was elected as Democratic Caucus Chair.
One the Republican side of the aisle, Rep. Mike Huebsch of West Salem was elected Assembly Speaker, Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald of Horicon was elected Majority Leader, and Rep. Mark Gundrum of Berlin was elected Assistant Minority Leader.