Madison, Wis. (WHBL) - Republican state legislators say they want to use their new power to create jobs and boost the economy – and make social issues a second priority. The G-O-P won control of the governor’s office and both houses of the Legislature in Tuesday’s elections. Senator Alberta Darling of River Hills says Wisconsinites do not want lawmakers to pick their individual social issues and ram them through. But Representative Mike Huebsch (hibsh) of West Salem says the G-O-P can push its social agenda as long the main focus stays on the economy. , Scott Fitzgerald – the expected Senate Majority Leader – has said the first bill in his house would be to require voters to show photo I-D’s at the polls, to try and cut the risk of voter fraud. Democrat Jim Doyle vetoed it three times during his eight years as governor. Former Assembly Republican Brett Davis, who lost his bid for lieutenant governor, says the party will probably vote next year to allow the carrying of concealed weapons. Doyle vetoed that measure, too, but Davis says the public is ready for it. Republicans are also expected to consider breaking other parts of Doyle’s legacy. That could include a ban on U-W Madison’s pioneering embryonic stem cell research – and ending domestic partner benefits for state workers, and the registry that gives same-sex couples some of the legal benefits of married couples.
