Democrats Name Johnson, McGuire to Lead Wisconsin Budget Panel

Wisconsin Sen. LaTonya Johnson and Rep. Tip McGuire have been named co-chairs of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance, which plays a central role in writing the state budget and setting spending priorities. Democrats will control the Legislature for the first time in 16 years and will oversee the next two-year budget, with Wisconsin projected to enter 2027 with a $3 billion surplus. Johnson says she wants to put people back in the budget, monitor whether resources reach communities in need, and address disparities, including challenges facing Milwaukee. The committee’s budget decisions will come as lawmakers weigh how to invest the surplus and respond to local financial needs.