The Capitol Report

When you are deep in the legislative minority, your options are few to get attention and exert influence.

When the University of Wisconsin’s two-year colleges were absorbed by regional UW schools in bigger communities, critics worried about the state of higher education in small-town Wisconsin.

Now comes another big race — this time for former Chief Justice Pat Roggensack’s seat and a 10-year term on the state Supreme Court.

The good budget news just got even better.

The upcoming legislative session in Madison will feature changes on the committee front including new faces on the budget-making Joint Finance Committee, a revamped committee structure and new leaders for key audit and election panels.

The breadth of Democrat Gov. Tony Evers’ reelection victory is gaining recognition.

With a huge state surplus and a new budget plan coming soon from Gov. Tony Evers, education advocates are hoping for money and programs to stem teacher shortages around the state. Already, some concrete proposals are in the mix.

The top Capitol players post-election remain the same, with Democratic Gov. Tony Evers vs. a GOP-dominated Legislature.

A new legislative session starts in January.

Same lineup as last time. A Democratic governor and a Republican-dominated Legislature.

Tuesday’s gubernatorial election underscored that Republicans have an acute problem in Dane County and suburban Milwaukee.