Happy Holidays from Your State Capitol!

December 5th, 2025

In This Issue: 

  • Assembly Floor Session Recap

  • New Legislation

  • In the Capitol: Student visits, Capitol tree lighting

  • SNAP Updates and Resources

  • Around the District

Assembly Floor Session Recap

The last session day of the calendar year was a busy one! On November 19th, the Assembly convened to vote on a range of issues, including public education. During our debate, I highlighted the importance of funding our public schools with reliable, flexible, and predictable funding indexed to inflation. Unfortunately, rather than address problems with the school funding formula, the Assembly skipped right to bills that provide incentives to close schools.

 

A package of Republican-led bills (AB 644, 645, 646, 647, 648, and 649) would fund feasibility studies for school district consolidation and whole-grade sharing. As the number of school-age students drops in Wisconsin, in some instances, school consolidation and service-sharing make sense. Many of our local districts are already doing this on their own. In more rural parts of the state, however, school consolidation might put young students on school buses for hours, and it should be a last resort. 

 

What’s frustrating to me is that we know what the legislature should do. Speaker Vos assembled a Task Force on Rural Schools in 2014 and a Blue Ribbon Commission on School Funding in 2019. Both bipartisan reports outline a path for Wisconsin to strengthen public schools across the state and call for significantly more investment than any of the proposals discussed last week. While Republicans want to close schools without considering other recommendations first, my colleagues and I want to partner with local school leaders to help them make data-driven decisions that balance thoughtful spending of taxpayer money with local strengths and needs. The State Assembly will meet again beginning in January. 

New Legislation

Clean Water for Wisconsin

In November, I joined my Democratic colleagues in introducing several bills to ensure clean, safe drinking water in Wisconsin. Communities across our state face PFAS or lead contamination and we’re working to ensure every Wisconsinite knows their water is safe to drink when they turn on their tap. 
 

Postpartum Medicaid

There are few bills that get broad bipartisan support these days, and even fewer that earn the co-sponsorship of a majority of both chambers. Wisconsin is one of just two states that have not expanded Medicaid eligibility for new mothers and babies to one year, and the bill to do so, Senate Bill 23, has passed the Senate 32-1. Yet Speaker Robin Vos refuses to allow it to come to the Assembly floor for a vote. Last week, Assembly Democrats tried a seldom-used floor procedure to bring the bill to a vote, but at the last minute, Speaker Vos moved the bill to an obscure committee that he controls. (No, this is not how your government should work.) We will keep fighting for health care for moms and babies until the legislative season adjourns, sometime in the spring of 2026.

Protecting Religious Spaces

Religiously-motivated hate crimes are on the rise across the country. To address threats to all faith traditions and religious communities, I introduced legislation last week with Senator Jodi Habush-Sinykin to create a Nonprofit Religious Security Grant Program. These grants would support nonprofit religious organizations in expanding security measures, installing additional security infrastructure, or conducting safety training. 

In the Capitol

Richards Elementary Capitol Visit

It is always extra special to be able to welcome constituents to the Capitol, especially students from the district. I joined students from Richards Elementary in Whitefish Bay for a tour of the State Capitol, answered questions, and encouraged them all to run for office someday! 

Capitol Tree Lighting


This Thursday, I joined Governor Evers, Legislators, and community members in officially lighting the Capitol Holiday Tree! This year, the beautiful Balsam fir comes to Madison from Gillett, Wisconsin, and stands at 30-feet tall. The theme for this year’s tree is ‘The Learning Tree’ and is decorated with handmade ornaments from students across Wisconsin. 

Gov. Evers Encourages Wisconsinites to Shop Local this Holiday Season


Earlier this week, Governor Evers celebrated “Shop Small Wisconsin Season” and encouraged Wisconsinites to shop at Wisconsin’s many local small businesses during the holidays. 

 

This Small Business Saturday, I braved the blizzard to shop at some of our fantastic small businesses in the area. With more than 99 percent of businesses in Wisconsin being small businesses, I hope everyone has a chance to support their local community through this holiday season and beyond! 

SNAP Update and Resources
 

As the holidays approach, there are ongoing concerns surrounding SNAP funding in Wisconsin. 

The federal government recently notified states that they will withhold funds from states that do  not provide state SNAP recipient personal data. Governor Evers has defended the management of Wisconsin’s SNAP program and has rejected this request. This is an ongoing discussion, and my office will continue to monitor the situation and provide resources as they become available. 

If you or someone you know needs food assistance, contact 211 for local resources:
Call 211 or 877-947-2211
Visit 211wisconsin.communityos.org
Text your ZIP code to 898211

Around the District

Mequon Winter Wonderland
On Dec. 7th, from 3:30pm - 5:30pm, the area of Mequon City Hall will transform into a winter wonderland! The tree lighting will begin at 5:00pm. With fire pits, free cookies, and caroling, cookie decorating stations, ornament making tents, and horse-drawn carriage rides - it will be a perfect way to get in the holiday spirit! Santa Claus will arrive in a horse-drawn carriage for a meet-and-greet with attendees.


Thiensville Breakfast with Santa!




The Thiensville Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting its annual breakfast with Santa on Dec. 7th from 8:00am - noon. Attendees will enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes and get their photo taken with Santa! 

Brown Deer Winter Market

On Dec. 7th from 3:00pm - 6:00pm, the Brown Deer Winter Market will be held at the Brown Deer Beer Garden in the Original Village. The market will feature local vendors, live music, food, and drinks. The Brown Deer Public Library will be there with family activities and ornaments for sale. The Holiday Lights Celebration will begin at 4:00pm. The tree and Menorah lighting will take place at 5:00pm.

Whitefish Bay Winter Market

On December 13th, the Whitefish Bay Winter Market will be filled with fun holiday treats and gifts. Held in the Community Room at the Whitefish Bay Public Library, there will be local vendors selling winter produce, home-baked goods, handmade crafts, and more! After the holidays, the Winter Market will continue on January 10th, February 14th, and March 14th. 


Contact Us

There are several convenient ways to share your thoughts, questions and concerns with us:

  • Call our office at (608) 237-9123
  • Email us: Rep.Andraca@legis.wisconsin.gov
  • Visit our website to learn more about constituent services, legislative priorities and to share your comments or concerns
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Our mailing address is:
State Representative Deb Andraca
P.O. Box 8952
Madison, WI  53708

Our physical address is:
Wisconsin State Capitol
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Room 109 North
Madison, WI  53703

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