Capitol Updates - A Wild Week in Madison!

May 18, 2026
 
In This Issue: 
  • Second Special Session
  • Around the District
  • Stay Informed
  • Share Your Opinion

Second Special Session

As you may have seen in the news earlier this week, Governor Evers called for another special session of the legislature last Wednesday. The special session was called to vote on a proposal by Governor Evers and Republican leadership to spend the state’s budget surplus. 

Last Tuesday, I voted on the package in the Joint Finance Committee, and on the following Wednesday the Assembly met at 10:00am. After a few hours of debate, the Assembly Republicans took a recess for multiple hours while negotiations continued until almost 10:00pm. The bill passed in the State Assembly but failed in the State Senate. 

For years I have fought to get more funding, especially special education funding, for our schools. As a member of the Joint Finance Committee, I heard from people all across Wisconsin urging the state to provide predictable, reliable education funding indexed to inflation. I heard how families are struggling with the rising cost of gas, groceries, property taxes, and health care, and they are afraid of losing the services that people with disabilities rely on every day. These are all issues that deserve more than an election-year quick fix. I voted against the proposal because it is fiscally reckless at a time of economic uncertainty, multi-billion-dollar federal budget cuts, and offers only short-term solutions to long-term problems. 

Towards the end of the legislative session, I joined my fellow Democrats to  propose legislation - Assembly Bill 1176 - which addresses special education and property taxes. It would result in much more public school funding than the deal we voted on this week, and it is $500 million cheaper. Most importantly, it would address structural underfunding instead of relying on one-time expenditures that would drive our state into an estimated $2.9 billion structural deficit heading into the 2027-29 budget.

As an elected official who wants more money for our schools and more money in our constituents’ pocketbooks, I was proud that my comments on this legislation were featured in a number of articles last week: 

Wisconsin Radio Network - Brokered deal to spend Wisconsin budget surplus meets split vote at committee

“That costs a fraction of what we’re talking about here, index special education is 60% is self sufficient, provides property tax relief, that would have provided a long-term solution, but you guys never gave it a public hearing.”

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Election politics loom over Madison deal on tax relief, school funds 

“More funding for our schools is a win for Wisconsin, and when there is a win, we should celebrate a win. But a one-year tax break is not a long-term fix.”

Spectrum News 1 - Budget surplus bill fails in legislature 

“The proposal is a ‘turducken’, because it’s a turkey that was put together by a bunch of lame ducks, by a Republican legislature that is too chicken to confront the structural affordability and education issues facing this state.”



Wisconsin Examiner - Evers-GOP deal passes finance committee, but Democrats vote against it 

“‘I want our schools to get the predictable, reliable, education funding, indexed to inflation that they deserve without having to sue all of us,’ Andraca said, referring to a pending lawsuit challenging the state’s school funding formula.”
 

I strongly support more funding for schools and help for families struggling with rising costs, but we deserve more for our money. We will continue our work to fight for education funding and address the critical issues affecting everyday Wisconsinites. 

Around the District

The Literacy Lab

The Literacy Lab at Next Door-Milwaukee is a nationwide group dedicated to improving early literacy outcomes with evidence-based instruction. Last week, Rep. Moore-Omokunde and I visited the classrooms to see their fellows at work and learn more about their program. 
Protect Our Care 

I joined Congresswoman Gwen Moore and Dr. Chris Ford, constituent and local ER doctor, for an online nationwide press conference to discuss the importance of Medicaid in Wisconsin and the impacts of potential cuts. Hosted by Protect Our Care, we spoke about how more than 34,000 Wisconsinites have already lost their coverage after President Trump and Republicans in Congress made the largest cuts to Medicaid in history. If you’d like to read more about the press conference and hear from healthcare experts on this issue, follow the link below. 

Medicaid cuts’ impact to cost Wisconsin $7 billion in 10 years, advocacy group says | News From The States 


Whitefish Bay High School AP Government Class

It's always a great day when I get to speak with our young people and see their enthusiasm and passion for government! Last week, I visited Whitefish Bay High School to visit with their Advanced Placement (AP) Government classes to discuss what I do as a legislator and answer questions about our state government! 


Brookfield East High School Visit

I had the opportunity to visit Brookfield East High School and participate in the Second Annual Women’s Panel to highlight successful women leaders in the Brookfield community and Wisconsin. It was a great opportunity to join women in the community and answer questions from students!

Stay Informed

Last Call for Blue Books!

As mentioned in our last E-update, due to state ethics rules as we approach this year’s election season, we will also be limited in how many Blue Books we are able to send to our district. If you would like a 2025-26 Blue Book, please follow the link below, which will take you to a page to provide your information and address so we can mail you one! The Wisconsin Blue Book is a fantastic way to find out more about your state government, legislators, and how to stay up-to-date on all the things happening in Madison. 

Contact | Assembly District 23 
Share Your Opinion!

Working for Wisconsin Survey

As the Legislature wraps up our 2025-26 session, we are actively preparing for the next session. As your state representative, I want to continue fighting for your concerns and priorities. Hearing your input is essential to getting things done for District 23. Please follow the link below to fill out the Working for Wisconsin Survey. 

http://workingforwisurvey.com/

Office Hours

Most every week, I hold in-district office hours to give constituents an opportunity to meet me and speak to me in person about what matters to them, what questions they have, or just an opportunity to chat! If you’d like to schedule a meeting during office hours, follow the link below or keep an eye on our website and social media each week!

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
2 East Main St.
Room 109 North
Madison, WI  53703

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