The 2001-02 legislative session began with the political wounds of a very close partisan election still unhealed. Like the outcome of the presidential contest nationally, the state legislative elections of 2000 resulted in a virtual partisan tie. The state Senate remained in control of the Democrats and the state Assembly remained in control of the Republicans, both by extremely narrow margins. A "split legislature" was the recipe for gridlock last session, and in many respects it has caused the same outcome thus far this session. In the past however, this past partisan gridlock did not necessarily extent to key REALTOR® issues. The WRA enjoyed one of the most successful legislative sessions ever in the 1999-2000 session. We remain hopeful this will be the case again this session before it's all said and done. 

Several additional "mega-issues" also dominate the current political and legislative landscape which was not present last session. Prime among these is legislative redistricting (also known as reapportionment). This process occurs once every decade as the new national census is used to redraw the legislative district boundaries in light of population changes. This is a highly contentious legislative struggle in the best of times as the district lines will dictate the partisan leanings of a district for the next 10 years.

Equally monumental is the fact that Wisconsin has a new governor for the first time in 15 years, as Governor Tommy Thompson resigned to become President Bush's Secretary of Health and Human Services. Now, Governor McCallum, Thompson's number two man for all his years as governor, must govern in difficult economic times while keeping an eye on his own election in November 2002. 

Add to this combustible environment the fact that the state is facing the most substantial budget deficit in a generation and the fact that several investigations are underway for illegal political activities by state employees on state time and allegations of illegal campaign contribution solicitations, and you have perhaps the most complex and confusing legislative environment in decades. Such extraordinary times requires an extraordinary effort by every REALTOR® to participate in the political and legislative process and to promote key real estate issues. 

Below is a recap of the key real estate related issues for this session. For more information, contact the following WRA staff: