As the dust settles in post-election America, state lawmakers are starting to look forward with goals for Wisconsin.
For Democrats, that means hoping for compromise.
Because of Tuesday's results, Republicans will have the largest majorities n the State Senate and Assembly in decades. They also have bold plans, according to some lawmakers.
Meanwhile, Democrats are working to bring back voters. After losing the working class, and rural vote in Wisconsin this time around, the state's Democrats are working on their message.
"Well, I think it will force us to better look at how we're communicating to those voters exactly who we are," says Rep. Amanda Stuck [D - Appleton], "and what we stand for."
Stuck says legislative priorities and realities are well underway, and taking shape for 2017.
"Those of us in the Democratic minority are still looking forward to the issues that we have to address," says Stuck, "that we know our constituents who elected us want us to address."
In Wisconsin, voters on both sides of the aisle brought concerns over the economy to the polls.
"That was one of the drivers, especially in Wisconsin, that voters were looking at," says Stuck, "jobs, and economy. They feel like they're left behind, that they feel like they're struggling with wages, and keeping themselves in the middle class."
"That being said, we have a pretty bold agenda," says Republican State Rep. Jim Steineke [R - Kaukana].
State Republicans say their "Forward Agenda" plan for 2017 addresses these concerns, and with a unified government they can tackle issues, like easing federal regulations on businesses.
"The better the business does, the better the workers will do," says Steineke, "and wages will rise, and more jobs will be available. Unfortunately, a lot of things are out of our control, because it's done at the national level."
Whether both sides can find bipartisan solutions, Stuck says only time will tell.
"I definitely would hope so," says Stuck. "I mean, obviously, [the economy] is such an important issue. This is people's livings, this is their wages… their lives."
Democrats say there's a lot of added pressure on Republicans now.
"It is all on their shoulders right now, so it's up to them to walk the walk and talk the talk," says Stuck. "If they're going to do it, they have to actually show us some results. If they are claiming that they are the ones who are better for the economy, and better for the working people."
