With the Legislature in recess until January, students can expect election campaigns to take center stage as they return for fall semester. Nearly 130 state legislators are vying for reelection in November.
The entire Assembly and half the Senate is up for reelection.
Highlighting the November elections will be the race for governor.
Gov. McCallum’s bid for reelection received attention from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and The New York Times.
State legislators have labeled the budget, elections and chronic wasting disease as the three biggest challenges facing them today.
Jason Stephany, head of College Democrats, said the gubernatorial election this fall would be the election most likely to attract the attention of students.
“There will be a variety of things spotlighting the elections next fall,” Stephany said. “It’s the first time in 16 years that we’ve had a weak governor. As for students, I think most are going towards the glitz and glamour of the gubernatorial campaign.”
Stephany said maintaining control of the Senate and recapturing the Assembly would be the top priorities of the Democratic Party in November.
Mike Browne, spokesman for Chuck Chvala, D-Madison, said chronic wasting disease and a number of other issues will also receive attention.
“Chronic wasting disease has taken the floor now,” Browne said. “Insuring the environmental policy of the state means people will have access to clean water and good air quality.”
McCallum is expected to call the Legislature into special session next week concerning chronic wasting disease, a disease afflicting the central nervous system for which there is no cure.
Chronic wasting disease was discovered near Mount Horeb and was the first incident of the disease east of the Mississippi River. The DNR plans to eradicate up to 15,000 animals in a 287-square-mile area in order to control the disease.
Browne said this issue would become more prominent in the coming months. He also mentioned health care and education as prime targets for reform.
“Some of the continuing topics you’ll hear about are supporting public education,” Browne said. “There is always discussion about health care, especially in the context of rapidly rising health-care premiums. For now, our first task is to pass the budget-adjustment bill.”
Mark Pocan, D-Madison, said students can expect changes to the Board of Regents and an increased relationship between financial aid and tuition.
Now, the Legislature is in special session regarding the budget amendment bill. Michelle Arbiture, spokeswoman for Steven Foti, R-Oconomowoc, said the final agenda for the Legislature will not be set until the budget conference committee completes its negotiations.
“It depends on the conference committee and what they wrap up,” Arbiture said. “The agenda for the Legislature will then be set.”
Other issues expected to receive attention are redistricting and the state prison system. State legislators have passed laws increasing prison time for various offenses. As a result, the Dept. of Corrections has been the area of largest growth within the state budget over the last decade.
