Assembly Republicans have selected Representative Mike Huebsch (R-West Salem) as their next Speaker. Huebsch says the next two years will be a challenge, with a Democrat Governor and Senate. He says it will be up to the Assembly to serve as a last line of defense when Democrats try to flex their new political muscle.
Huebsch says Democrats ran on positions very close to Republican principles in the recent election, and he expects those issues to remain important. He expects their agenda to focus on lowering taxes, providing affordable healthcare, and improving the state economy.
Huebsch admits that some GOP social issues may fall aside, such as last session's push for concealed carry legislation and a ban on human cloning. While the Assembly could take up those bills, he doesn't expect them to ever get a vote in the Democrat-controlled State Senate.
Huebsch defeated State Representative Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah) in his bid for the Speaker's chair.