Assembly Democrats chose Rep. Greta Neubauer, the former minority leader, as speaker, making her the first woman to hold the position in Wisconsin history. Senate Democrats elected Sen. Dianne Hesselbein as majority leader.

"We are united and we are ready to govern," Neubauer said.

Democrats hold a 53-46 majority in the Assembly and an 18-15 majority in the Senate. The new session begins Jan. 4.

Hesselbein said the caucus will focus on issues that affect residents' daily lives, including the costs of childcare, health care and housing. Democratic leaders have also floated legalizing cannabis, redrawing the state's congressional maps, eliminating the Electoral College and repealing Act 10, the 2011 law that sharply limited public-sector collective bargaining.

But leaders offered few specifics about how or when those proposals might advance.

"We're going to be working on this, stay tuned," Hesselbein said, adding that Democrats will spend November and December caucusing and developing their agenda.

Republicans, meanwhile, are adjusting to life in the minority in both chambers.

Sen. Julian Bradley, the Republican Senate minority leader, said his caucus will focus on holding Democrats accountable.

"While being in the minority is new, representing the people that hired us to do this job is not," Bradley said. "[Democrats] are in full control, and they're going to have to own their decisions."

Bradley said Republicans will work to represent their constituents and did not rule out opportunities for compromise.

Also Tuesday, the Legislature's budget-writing committee approved a $124,000 transitional budget for Gov.-elect David Crowley. The funding will help Crowley establish his incoming administration, including hiring staff and covering travel expenses.

A Crowley spokesperson said the administration is assembling a transition team and looks forward to working with legislative leaders.

The next legislative session is scheduled to begin Jan. 4, with the inauguration.