Assembly Republicans Release Legislative Agenda

In early September, Assembly Republicans released their plans for the 2017-2018 session in their Forward Agenda. While the November election is still weeks away, the Assembly majority outlined their main goals for next session and beyond. Their policies include simplifying the tax code, addressing the transportation budget shortfall, giving laptops to high school freshman and increasing the police force in Milwaukee.

The Republican Forward Agenda outlines three policy areas: improving the economy, expanding opportunities and building strong families and safe communities. Each section outlines specific policies the Assembly Republicans hope to implement in the new 2017 budget.

Key policies in the agenda include simplification of the tax code into “fairer, flatter, lower taxes” and a sales tax holiday for school supplies that Gov. Walker has already said he will include in his upcoming budget proposal. The Assembly Republicans will also explore various solutions to address the nearly $1 billion transportation budget shortfall, despite Walker’s promise not to raise gas and transportation taxes. Education agenda highlights include extending the UW systems tuition freeze and implementing a 1:1 Learning Initiative that would give every high school freshman a tablet or computer.

The agenda also expresses support for mental health and opioid epidemic resources, as well as Right to Try, a program that eases patients’ access to experimental treatments. Assembly Republicans also call for more police officers to address growing crime in Milwaukee and support Blue Lives Matter bills that illegalize violent crime against law enforcement officers.

Read the full agenda.