Senate Majority Leader Dianne Hesselbein and Assembly Speaker Greta Neubauer, who will become the first two women to lead their respective majorities in state history, outlined their plans in an interview ahead of the session. Democrats won control of the Legislature in this fall's elections, ending 16 years in the minority, and Governor-elect David Crowley has also backed undoing Act 10.

"Probably within the first few months, we think," Hesselbein said of the timeline for reversal. "It's something we need to get done. Unfortunately, Act 10 has hurt working men and women across the state of Wisconsin."

Act 10, championed by then-Governor Scott Walker in 2011, sharply limited collective bargaining for most public-sector workers and sparked massive protests at the Capitol. Hesselbein said lawmakers are drawing on the experience of members who lived through those demonstrations as they prepare to revisit the law.

Neubauer acknowledged that repeal would carry fiscal consequences for local governments, school districts and the University of Wisconsin System, and said leaders are consulting with those partners.

"We're in good conversation with all those partners and thinking about what we need to do to both restore the rights of working people and also ensure that they have the good benefits that they deserve," she said.

On marijuana, Hesselbein was unequivocal: she wants recreational legalization in the first year. "Without even hesitation, yes," she said, citing revenue lost to neighboring states and broad public support. Neubauer said the effort would be comprehensive, including regulation of the state's hemp industry, and both leaders said they are examining clemency for people incarcerated for recreational use.

Affordability will be the first order of business, Neubauer said, pointing to school funding, property taxes and health care. Asked to name a single top priority, Hesselbein replied: "All of the above."

Responding to critics who argue the agenda is too costly, Hesselbein said, "Just watch us go. We have been waiting a very long time, 16 years in the minority, and we are ready to go." Neubauer added that voters "made it clear that they want us to take action, that the status quo is not acceptable."

The leaders also signaled openness to reining in campaign finance, with Hesselbein criticizing "the money that these billionaires are trying to buy our elections." Neubauer said the caucus is exploring options within federal constraints and would like to see fewer millions spent on legislative races.

On reproductive rights, Neubauer said Democrats want to repeal Wisconsin's 1849 abortion ban and are considering a constitutional amendment to protect access. "Making sure that women in Wisconsin have access to reproductive rights is essential," she said.

The session opens with Democrats holding the governor's office and both chambers for the first time since 2010, giving the party a narrow window to deliver on promises that have gone unfulfilled for more than a decade.