MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – As we begin 2024, state lawmakers are preparing to return to Madison — and with the new year comes new hope in Wisconsin’s state legislature.
“This is what people from Wisconsin want,” said Rep. Lee Snodgrass (D-Appleton). “They’re sick of the fighting, they’re sick of people not working together.”
Area lawmakers are preaching bipartisanship as they return to the State Assembly and Senate floors for 2024.
“Whether that is something like broad based tax relief, issues like being able to protect victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking,” said Sen. Andre Jacque (R-De Pere).
But there’s still a divide on other issues.
One of those includes Wisconsin’s legislative maps, which were ruled unconstitutional last month by the state Supreme Court.
“Honestly, a fair shake — you know, everybody having to work for their vote instead of the votes working on behalf of the politician — is really what it should be,” said Snodgrass.
“The maps that we have in place have been legally and constitutionally drawn and put into law,” said Rep. David Steffen (R-Green Bay).
State Republicans could also introduce legislation which would legalize medical marijuana.
“I favor the medical marijuana issue,” said Sen. Robert Cowles (R-Green Bay). “I’ve known people that could’ve utilized this, I’ve known doctors that wanted to prescribe it.”
Steffen tells FOX 11 the bill would restrict who would qualify. “For PTSD, as well as cancer, where it has been shown that medical marijuana can be of value,” he said.
However, Democrats like Snodgrass would like the measure to go even further.
“To make Wisconsin a fully legal state when it comes to cannabis,” said Snodgrass.
“I’m not there on that one at this point,” added Cowles.
“This is as far as we’re willing to go,” said Steffen.
Abortion could also be on the docket.
Speaker Robin Vos and others are open to letting voters decide whether the procedure should be allowed within the first 15 weeks of pregnancy.
“That’s still to be determined, if we’re going to get to a point of agreement on that,” said Steffen.
That’s something that Snodgrass would not be in favor of.
“This is individuals,” said Snodgrass. “We don’t want the entire state of Wisconsin weighing in on what one person can do with their own body.”
The first floor period for the state Senate and Assembly begins Tuesday, Jan. 16.
