Democrats in the Wisconsin Assembly will have two seats on the legislature’s budget writing panel – but a member who’s served on the committee for most of the last decade won’t be among them. With Republicans set to dominate the Joint Committee on Finance, Madison Democrat Mark Pocan is indicating he’s not interested. “I’ve done the 4-12 committee, I’ve done the 8-8 committee, I’ve done the 12-4 committee,” Pocan said.
Pocan has served on the committee since 2003 and was co-chair last session, and the prospect of being on the minority end of a 12-4 split favoring the GOP has little appeal. “You know, just sitting on a committee to kind of complain or criticize isn’t really the role I want right now,” said Pocan. “I’d rather work on a few things.” Pocan said Democrats are ready to work across the aisle on job creation and economic development, but he’ll be “at the front of the line to push back” if Republicans attempt “a right wing swing on social issues.”