Hamilton Political Tidbits – February 23, 2026

In this edition of Tidbits, we recap the latest Assembly and Senate floor sessions, we cover Gov. Evers' final State of the State Address and Speaker Vos' retirement announcement.

If you have any questions, please contact a member of the Hamilton Consulting team.

Assembly Floor Days

It was expected to be the final night of the Assembly’s legislative session; however, the body did not complete its work and reconvened on Friday, February 20, for one last day. Still, Thursday’s floor session featured several significant moments — including a rare bipartisan celebration of the passage of legislation extending Medicaid coverage for postpartum women and expanding coverage for breast cancer screenings. There were also heated partisan disputes, including debate over a wakeboarding bill and the adoption of an amendment to allow for a sandhill crane hunt. The most notable moment of the day, however, came when Speaker Vos announced he will not seek reelection in 2026, ending his tenure as the longest-serving Assembly Speaker in Wisconsin history.

Continue reading about the February 19 (and 20) Assembly floor session

Wednesday’s floor day in the Assembly was scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m., but action did not start until nearly 11:00 p.m. following an extended partisan caucus. Prior to the floor session, Assembly Democrats held a press conference demanding votes on two bills: SB 23, which extends Medicaid coverage for postpartum women, and SB 264, which expands coverage for breast cancer screening. They also announced plans to offer an amendment with both bills to every bill on the day’s calendar.

Continue reading about the February 18 Assembly floor session

The Wisconsin Assembly began what is expected to be its final week of the 2025–26 legislative session on Tuesday, February 17, advancing several key measures. Lawmakers approved legislation increasing local government competitive bidding thresholds, creating a $120 million tax credit for a biofuel project, and adopting the federal employer child care tax credit at the state level. Several bills now head to the Senate for further action as the session nears adjournment.

Continue reading about the February 17 Assembly floor session

Senate Floor Days

The Senate met for its only remaining floor day in February and is expected to reconvene the week of March 17. Perhaps the most notable action of the day did not occur on the floor. After placing the highly anticipated reauthorization of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program on the calendar, Senate Republicans pulled the bill, citing a lack of votes. Also of note, the Senate passed legislation allowing the use of a preliminary oral screening device in suspected Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) cases. The Senate also took up several bills that had already cleared the Assembly and that impose new penalties and restrictions aimed at countering foreign adversary influence. Those bills now head to the Governor’s desk for review.

Continue reading about the February 18 Senate floor session

Governor Evers Delivers Final State of the State

On Tuesday February 17, Governor Evers gave his final State of the State speech to a joint meeting of the Senate and Assembly and declared 2026 the “Year of the Neighbor.” He called for action to modernize Wisconsin’s aging prison system, increase state support for the FoodShare program to avoid federal penalties, and reach agreement on using the state’s projected $2.5 billion surplus for property tax relief and stronger investment in schools. Evers highlighted bipartisan accomplishments during his tenure — including expanded child care tax credits, telehealth Medicaid coverage, and the Brewers stadium deal — as proof that compromise is achievable.

Continue reading this article

Speaker Vos Announces His Retirement

Robin Vos announced he will not seek reelection, bringing to a close his record-setting tenure as Wisconsin’s longest-serving Assembly speaker. He said a heart attack in November helped confirm his decision to step away after more than two decades in office.

Continue reading this article

Legal

How old is too old to be a Wisconsin judge? A bill sets an age cap

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 18, 2026

Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Maria Lazar launches ad campaign

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 13, 2026

Employer & Consumer

Wisconsin sets apprenticeship record for fourth year in a row

Wisconsin Public Radio, February 19, 2026

Port Washington data center TIF district faces lawsuit from local group

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 13, 2026

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