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The state Legislature has adjourned for the 2025-26 legislative session, leaving much work unfinished. I firmly believe we should still be working for you. 

The majority party – currently Republicans in both chambers – has the power to decide which committee a bill is sent to, which bills receive a public hearing, which bills get a vote out of committee, and then which bills are scheduled for debate and a vote by all 33 Senators on the Senate floor. The majority party also sets our biennial session calendar, which denotes the days we may be “in session,” taking up the bills that made it through that process. These deadlines are completely arbitrary. 

I was appalled that the calendar Republicans proposed only allowed us to meet for session days from January 7, 2025 until March 19, 2026. I voted no on this calendar due to its unacceptably early end, but it ultimately passed. You can only imagine my outrage when we adjourned on March 17 after only meeting 11 times for session days over those 15 months.  

On the Senate’s last session day, Republicans chose over 100 bills for us to vote on, however, they failed to take up bills that would meaningfully address the major issues facing Wisconsinites. Sadly, our work remains far from over and, unless a special session (called by the Governor) or an extraordinary session (called by majority party leaders) occurs, we are out of session until 2027. 

Governor Evers called a special session to take up a constitutional amendment to ban partisan gerrymandering and set the date as April 14, 2026. I was eager to continue our legislative work and take up this important issue. On the date of the special session, my Democratic colleagues and I waited for our Republican colleagues to show up, but they never did. Instead, Republicans extended the special session three times. I am disappointed that they continue to kick the can after having over a month to prepare. Democrats want to work, but Republicans continuously refuse to show up and work with us. 

All session long, constituents called on us to take action on issues like lowering everyday costs, saving the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, regulating data centers, protecting our hemp industry, and investing in our public schools. Sadly, we did not pass legislation on any of these important topics under Republican leadership. It is clear and immensely frustrating that we are not meeting the needs of the moment.

The people who elected us to serve them expect that first, we will work as hard as they do, and second, that we will be responsive to their calls for action. These are entirely reasonable expectations, and yet, they are not being lived up to. This makes me angry on your behalf, but also for myself, because I am someone who likes to work hard and get things done. 

The stark reality of the State Legislature under Republican control is that nearly every single Democrat-authored bill was blocked from seeing the light of day. Instead, they sat in committee, unacted upon, and all died when we adjourned. One example of this is a bill I introduced to ban hedge funds from buying single family homes. This is a policy even President Trump advocated for, but it was never even scheduled for a public hearing. This is sadly extremely common in our deeply divided government.

Lowering the cost of necessities is a top priority for people across the state. When folks cannot afford the essentials, it can have a terribly negative impact on their physical and mental health. Recognizing the seriousness of this issue, Democrats introduced a variety of bills to lower costs and improve the lives of Wisconsinites. For example, we put forward a bill to expand the Homestead Tax Credit, which provides direct property tax relief for those who need it most, like seniors living on a fixed income. Republican leaders refused to even give this bill a hearing.

While I was deeply disappointed in the many missed opportunities to help Wisconsinites this session, I want to share positive updates too and end with a hopeful message. 

According to a memo released by the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, I had the second most bipartisan voting record in the State Senate this session. This memo highlighted how often each member of the Senate cast a roll call vote with a majority of members of the opposing political party. I’ve said from the beginning that I’m committed to working collaboratively and in a bipartisan manner, and I’m proud that my first session’s voting record reflected that. 

Additionally, it has been rewarding to see multiple bipartisan bills I authored get signed into law. Governor Evers was finally able to sign Postpartum Medicaid Expansion, which will extend the time new moms can be covered by Medicaid from 60 days to a full year, and Gail’s Law, which will require insurance companies to cover annual supplemental screenings for women with higher risk of breast cancer.

I was also pleased that the Governor signed a bill I put forward with Representative Kurtz to designate US Highway 12 in Lake Delton as the “Tom Diehl Memorial Highway.” Others included bills to ratify the Social Work Licensure Compact, provide utility aid payments to counties and municipalities where energy storage facilities are located, and provide pre-release Medicaid coverage to incarcerated individuals. Seeing these bills get signed into law makes me eager for a time when, hopefully, Democrats will be in the majority and will pass more bills that address the needs of Wisconsinites. 

While our legislative session may be over, I’m not done working. Since I will not need to be in Madison as much, I can spend more time in District 14, and I want to hear from you about how I should spend my time. I encourage you to contact my office and tell me where you want me to go and what you want to learn more about from me. I look forward to hearing from you!

Keyeski, D-Lodi, represents the 14th Senate District.