Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, in an end-of-year interview with The Wheeler Report, laid out his priorities for the 2025 legislative session, emphasizing fiscal responsibility, educational integrity, energy innovation, and policy transparency. Vos highlighted a proactive approach to returning the state surplus, reforming K-12 standards, and balancing innovation with infrastructure needs.

Tax Cuts: Giving the Surplus Back to Taxpayers

Speaker Vos strongly advocated for a broad-based tax cut as the Legislature’s top priority, making it clear that a tax cut would precede other budget negotiations. He criticized Governor Evers for vetoing previous tax cut proposals and vowed not to let surplus funds be redirected to unnecessary government programs. Evers vetoed tax cuts on middle class taxpayers, and tax cuts targeted towards retirees and married couples. 

Vos stressed that the tax cuts must benefit a wide range of taxpayers, explicitly ruling out welfare-style benefits. By starting the tax cut debate early, Vos aims to finalize and pass legislation by February 2025. His goal is to craft a tax plan that returns the surplus while addressing Wisconsin’s economic challenges.

Government Efficiency: The G.O.A.T. Committee

The newly formed Government Operations Accountability and Transparency (G.O.A.T.) Committee, led by Rep. Amanda Nedweski, will spearhead efforts to reduce costs and improve efficiency across state and local government operations. Vos emphasized examining school district spending, exploring centralized hiring and benefits administration, and using artificial intelligence to innovate and cut expenses.

The G.O.A.T. Committee will also investigate regulatory reduction, encouraging districts to share resources and streamline processes. The focus, according to Vos, is on fostering collaboration and innovation while reducing taxpayer burdens.

K-12 Education Reform: Safeguarding Academic Standards

Vos criticized State Superintendent Jill Underly for what he described as politically motivated changes to K-12 report card standards, alleging the adjustments were aimed at skewing performance data. He plans to introduce legislation mandating statutory protections to prevent the manipulation of educational metrics and reducing standards through bureaucratic action. Underly reduced cut score metrics which made it appear that students in Wisconsin are doing better in reading, math, and science. Underly defended her efforts lowering test standards. 

In addition, Vos highlighted the challenge of declining student enrollment and its impact on funding formulas. He suggested reforms to ensure equitable distribution of funds while exploring ways to adjust to population shifts. The Speaker also hinted at increased oversight of how school funds are allocated to maximize their impact.

Energy Policy: Balancing Innovation with Practicality

On energy, Vos rejected the idea of Wisconsin following neighboring states like Illinois and Michigan in banning fossil fuels, labeling such proposals “stupid.” Instead, he called for an “all of the above” approach, with a focus on deploying modular nuclear power plants and potentially restarting the Kewaunee nuclear facility.

Vos also expressed interest in making Wisconsin a leader in testing new energy technologies. He emphasized the need for a practical, diversified energy strategy that balances renewable energy projects with the demands of an expanding tech-based economy, such as data centers.

Housing and Local Government Funding

Vos addressed potential adjustments to Wisconsin’s recently passed housing package, signaling a willingness to revisit and refine the legislation to ensure it achieves its goals of affordability and accessibility. He also highlighted the need to monitor the innovation fund created for local governments, ensuring its effectiveness and removing any bureaucratic barriers.

Vos acknowledged that shared revenue reforms passed in previous sessions addressed some funding concerns for local governments but stressed the importance of reassessing and refining these solutions as necessary.

Election Reforms and Other Legislative Priorities

Election integrity remains a priority, with Vos specifically championing the Monday count bill to address election administration challenges. The Monday bill would count early absentee ballots on the day prior to election day as opposed to on the evening of election day when polls close, which is required by law now. He also hinted at broader immigration discussions, proposing cooperation with federal authorities to deport individuals committing crimes while in the country illegally. Evers has hinted that he would not comply with the Trump administration efforts to deport persons here illegally.