Hamilton Political Tidbits – January 16, 2026

In this edition of Tidbits, we highlight the first floor days of 2026, outline legislative leaders’ priorities for the remainder of the session, and break down the billions in surplus projected by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau.

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

Assembly Starts 2026 with Two Floor Days

The Wisconsin State Assembly jumped right into 2026 with two floor days this past week. On January 13, the Assembly adopted two proposed constitutional amendments addressing freedom to gather during emergencies and governmental discrimination, both passing mostly along party lines. In addition, representatives passed numerous Assembly bills related to public safety, criminal justice, housing and tax credits, employment verification, school safety, municipal courts and transportation.

Later in the week, on January 15, the Assembly adopted the tax on tips exemption, legislation to allow out-of-state health care providers to deliver telehealth services to patients in Wisconsin, and the criminalization of counterfeit airbags, among other items. While many of the measures were passed along party lines, there were several bills that cleared the final hurdle and now are headed to the Governor’s desk. 

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Legislative Leaders Outline Priorities for the Remainder of Session

With the new year underway, the Wisconsin Legislature has officially entered the final, and often chaotic, stage of the 2025–26 legislative session. While Wisconsin is considered a “full-time” legislature, it typically adjourns by mid-March in the even-numbered year of the session (2026). 

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Revenue Estimates Project $2.5 Billion Surplus  

The Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) released updated revenue estimates for the 2025-27 biennium. According to LFB, the state is now projected to end the 2025–27 biennium with a gross general fund balance of approximately $2.5 billion, reflecting a significant improvement in the state’s revenue outlook. Updated estimates show the balance is roughly $1.5 billion higher than anticipated during budget enactment, driven largely by stronger-than-expected income and corporate tax collections. The improved forecast reflects broader national economic trends, including higher-than-projected GDP growth, lower inflation, and a lower effective tariff rate than previously assumed.

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Legal

Lazar reports raising $200K for Supreme Court race, lagging Taylor

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, January 14, 2026

Supreme Court candidate Taylor reports $2.6 million fundraising haul

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, January 14, 2026

Employer & Consumer

Wisconsin lawmakers eye AI regulations despite Trump effort to curtail them

WisBusiness, January 12, 2026

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