When the calendar flips to a new year, it provides a good opportunity for reflection and planning. Each year, my team takes time to review our work over the past year and begin setting goals that we hope to accomplish in the year ahead.

The 2025 budget was my third as Co-Chair of the budget-writing Joint Committee on Finance. It is a tremendous honor to serve the people of Wisconsin, especially those in the 17th Senate District, in this capacity. This biennium’s budget was unique compared to previous years and came as a result of days and weeks of careful bipartisan negotiation. I believe that, in the end, we crafted a budget of which the entire state can be proud.

To help ease cost of living challenges, our bipartisan budget secured $1.5 billion in meaningful tax relief. This was done through a combination of income tax cuts, exempting the first $24,000 of retirement income for seniors, and exempting residential electricity and natural gas from sales tax. Nearly every Wisconsinite received a tax cut under our budget.

Our budget funded Wisconsin’s priorities. It provided historic investments in special education and mental health services for K-12 schools. We made meaningful reforms and targeted investments in the University of Wisconsin System. More than $1 billion was allocated to maintain and improve roads and bridges across the state. This included the renewal of my popular Ag Roads Improvement Program (ARIP). The budget also invested $1 billion in new resources for hospitals, with the goal of keeping healthcare in Wisconsin accessible and affordable. We made meaningful reforms to Wisconsin’s childcare industry. These changes focus on structural improvements without making pandemic-era subsidies permanent.

The budget also delivered several wins for communities I represent. The 17th Senate District added three district attorneys to help keep our communities safe. Funding for a number of projects was provided, including Southwest Health’s new childcare facility, construction of a new juvenile correctional facility outside of Oregon, building renovations at UW-Platteville and UW-Madison, a grant for Taliesin Preservation, repairs to the Badger State Trail, and improvements at Prairie du Chien Correctional Institution.

In addition to the budget, I authored 29 pieces of legislation in 2025. Three of them have already been signed into law, including emergency medical services (EMS) legislation that makes important changes to help alleviate staffing concerns in rural areas.

Beyond legislation, my team and I interacted with constituents more than 7,000 times through email, phone, and mail in 2025. These contacts ranged from questions and assistance with a state agency to hearing ideas and opinions on legislation. While we may not always agree, it is my goal to listen carefully and respond effectively to your ideas and concerns.

2025 was a successful year and I look forward to finishing the legislative session strong in 2026. I am grateful to work for an engaged, energized Senate District, and I appreciate your willingness to work with me as I represent you.

If you need assistance with any state-related matters, please call my team at the State Capitol – 608-266-0703 – or email me – Sen.Marklein@legis.wisconsin.gov. My team is ready and willing to help navigate your state government, clear obstacles, and receive your input.