The new Wisconsin legislative session is around the corner. Here are the leaders in charge of the party agendas.

Wisconsin lawmakers have a lot on their plate when they return to Madison early next year, from shared revenue crucial to local governments, funding for schools, a new abortion law and more than $6.6 billion in surplus.

Republican leaders who control the Legislature in both the Senate and Assembly have signaled they're interested in exploring a flat tax in the upcoming legislative session. Funding for K12 education, roads and funding local government will all compete for a share of the state's budgetary surplus.

More:Republican leaders Vos and LeMahieu say they are talking to Gov. Evers 'more than we have in the last 2 years'

It will be up to Democratic leaders operating in the minority to deliver those messages to their caucus. Here are some of the key players from both parties.

Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, Republican

When Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, was reelected as the Senate majority leader for the 2023-2024 legislative session last month, he said he hopes the caucus will continue building on the momentum created over the last two years.

The Senate majority leader works with committee chairs and ranking members to get bills scheduled on the floor. The leader also keeps members of his or her caucus advised about daily legislative activity.

"This caucus will continue to work as an effective check on Tony Evers’ liberal agenda and his attempts to take Wisconsin backwards," LeMahieu said in a statement. "The people of Wisconsin deserve strong leadership, sound economic policies and a Legislature that listens to the concerns of our communities — with the largest Senate majority since 1969, we plan to deliver just that.”

LeMahieu was elected to the Senate in 2014. He was selected as majority leader by his peers in 2021 after Scott Fitzgerald was elected to the United States House of Representatives.

More:Wisconsin Republicans fell short of a legislative supermajority, but they now have enough senators to impeach state officials, speed up bills

Senate President Chris Kapenga, Republican

Chris Kapenga, R-Delafield, has again been named Senate president by his caucus. The Senate president presides over the 33 members of the Senate. Approximately 2,000 bills are introduced during a two-year session of the Legislature. Typically only about 500 are passed into law.

In a recent statement, Kapenga said his role is to "preside over floor debates where everyone’s voice can be heard." Kapenga was first named Senate president for the 2021-22 legislative session.

Kapenga, who is a certified public accountant, has been in the Senate since 2015, after serving in the Assembly from 2011 to 2015.

Senate Minority Leader Melissa Agard, Democrat

With only 11 of Wisconsin's 33 senators Democrats, Melissa Agard, D-Madison, has a difficult job ahead of her as the newly named Senate minority leader.

The minority leader position was previously held by Sen. Janet Bewley, who did not seek reelection. Agard previously served as vice chair. Agard was elected to the state Senate in 2020 after serving in the Assembly for seven years.

In a recent column, Agard said regardless of party, legislators should do more to ensure people have access to safe and clean air and water and can live free from gun violence.

"The issues that I hear about from folks living in more rural areas are not that much different than what I hear when talking to people in Milwaukee or Madison," Agard said. "We have a great opportunity during the upcoming legislative session to support our local governments, invest in programs and services that prioritize public safety, as well as provide a substantial tax return to Wisconsinites."

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, Republican

Robin Vos, R-Rochester, is one of the most familiar faces in the state Legislature as the longest-serving Assembly speaker in Wisconsin. He was recently elected to his sixth term as speaker.

"I look forward to leading our 64-member majority and defending conservative principles in the Legislature during these next four years of divided government," Vos said in a statement. "We will continue to hold the line against Tony (Evers) when he attempts to enact his far-left policies.”

Vos was challenged during the midterms by Adam Steen, a write-in candidate backed by former President Donald Trump, but he easily held onto his seat and will begin his 10th term in January.

As speaker, Vos controls what legislation is taken up, creates the Assembly's committee assignments, puts together budget priorities and proposals, organizes public promotion of Assembly Republicans' efforts, and has the power to discipline members who break the procedures of the chamber or house.

More:Rep. Janel Brandtjen, election denier who backed Robin Vos challenger, barred from Assembly GOP caucus

Majority Leader Tyler August, Republican

Tyler August, R-Lake Geneva, has been named Assembly majority leader, leaving his position as Speaker Pro Tempore, which he held since 2013.

In this role, August will schedule legislation to be considered on the Assembly floor, organize legislative plans and consult with the members of his caucus on how they feel about issues.

Speaker Pro Tempore Kevin Petersen, Republican

Kevin Petersen, R-Waupaca, will serve as Speaker Pro Tempore. The primary role of this position includes presiding over the Assembly when it is in session. Petersen also moderates floor debates, makes rulings on procedures and announces the results of votes.

He takes on this role after serving as assistant majority leader.

Minority Leader Greta Neubauer, Democrat

Greta Neubauer, D-Racine, will continue in her role as Assembly minority leader. Neubauer replaced Rep. Gordon Hintz, D-Oshkosh, when he decided to not seek reelection.

With Republicans in control of the Assembly, the minority leader's role is key to a successful Legislature. Neubauer's job is to negotiate with Republicans and direct her caucus activities on the floor.

“We know that we will face obstacles in the coming year, but we will also have important opportunities," Neubauer said in a statement. "We will hold Republicans accountable for their efforts to subvert the will of the people. We will promote a visionary, inclusive policy agenda that shows that government can, and must, be a force for good in Wisconsin."

Joint Finance Committee Co-Chairs, Republicans Howard Marklein and Mark Born

Gov. Tony Evers is required by law to deliver his budget message to the Legislature on or before the last Tuesday in January, although the Legislature can extend the deadline at the governor's request. Once delivered, the Joint Finance Committee takes over, holding hearings and getting briefings from state agencies on the budget.

Joint Finance co-chairs Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, and Rep. Mark Born, R-Beaver Dam, will again lead the committee.

"Wisconsin Republicans have been working to lower the tax burden, including the largest tax cut in state history in our most recent budget, while investing in key programs that make our state a great place to live and work," Born said in a statement.

During what will likely be hours-long sessions, the committee will take the budget apart piece-by-piece while considering whether to accept or reject Evers' ideas or create its own budget.

The committee typically finishes its work in June and once the Assembly and Senate agree on a budget it is sent to Evers.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Meet the Wisconsin legislators leading the 2023 legislative session