New Legislative Sessions Begin in Several States

As the legislative sessions begin in various states, significant changes and new faces are expected in government. In Oklahoma, Senate President Pro Tem Elect Lonnie Paxton indicated plans for tax cuts and judicial reform, with Gov. Kevin Stitt proposing a .25% income tax cut. Arkansas will welcome its first Latino legislators, Diana Gonzales Worthen and Randy Torres, who are eager to address education, health care, and infrastructure issues. Wisconsin's Legislature will see a major influx of new lawmakers, with 31 new Assembly members and 6 new Senators preparing for their first session. Meanwhile, the Nebraska Legislature faces a substantial turnover, with nearly two-thirds of senators having two years of experience or less, prompting initiatives to enhance orientation for incoming members. Additionally, the GOP regains control of the U.S. Senate with a new Democratic Senator, Angela Alsobrooks, advocating for progressive reforms, while the legislative landscape shifts with leadership changes and new priorities.