MADISON — The two state legislators from Northeastern Wisconsin named to top leadership positions last week say they face big hurdles, but local residents could see big benefits.

Democrats, who will take control of the Assembly for the first time since 1995, named Rep. Tom Nelson of Kaukauna the majority party leader. Sen. Dave Hansen of Green Bay will continue in his roles as Senate assistant majority leader and vice chairman of the Joint Finance Committee, the panel that has critical input on state spending.

That means Hansen and Nelson — who say they already "swap notes" regularly on their shared constituencies — will step into powerful roles in January.

"It's not going to be easy, but Tom will be working with us in leadership, and with Democrats in control of the Senate and Assembly we have an opportunity to make a difference in the state of Wisconsin. There are things we're able to do," Hansen said.

The leadership roles give Hansen and Nelson power to set the legislative agenda, and they can force the Legislature to discuss issues important to Northeastern Wisconsin. Hansen points to the recently approved expansion of U.S. 41 between Oconto and Marinette as an example. Without advocacy by northern Wisconsin legislators, projects north of Wisconsin 29 are ignored, he said.

"You have a chance to be heard, and (my leadership positions) have served this area very well," he said.

Hansen, 61, and Nelson, 32, face one major political hurdle, though: Democratic control of both houses and the governor's office puts pressure on the Legislature to act swiftly in tough economic times. Gov. Jim Doyle said this month the state faces a deficit of up to $5 billion in the next two-year budgeting period.

"I think there's pressure on us to develop priorities in very difficult times, but I think we're going to be up to the challenge," Hansen said.

"There is an expectation to work on the issues," Nelson agreed. "And you have to go back decades to the last time the Legislature and governor were dealing with a budget deficit of this magnitude. We ought to focus on this issue like a laser."

Though it might be tempting for Democrats to act unilaterally, they must include Republicans, warns Tom Loftus, who served in the Legislature from 1977 to 1991. Loftus had an eight-year stint as Assembly speaker, the longest in state history, and went on to become U.S. ambassador to Norway.

"Both the speaker (Janesville Rep. Mike Sheridan) and Tom have to make sure they are bringing the Republicans into the process. They might not be able to count on their votes, but they have to be in the process," Loftus said. "The worst thing that can happen is arrogance or the idea that 'we have the votes and we don't need you.'"

Two terms as a member of the minority party will make it easier, Nelson said.

"I know how it is to serve in the minority party. … I know all the Republican legislators in the state of Wisconsin very well, and I have a working relationship, albeit it a limited one, with most of them," he said.

He has already spotted room for improvement in the working relationships of Democrats and Republicans: They need to spend more time in session. The Assembly met in session for only 25 days in the last two years — far from enough time to establish working relationships, Nelson said.

"One promise I can make is we will be in session more than 25 days. … If you don't know someone, how can you work with them?" he said. "This coming legislative session, there is not going to be any shortage of issues to tackle, so there will be many opportunities for both Democrats and Republicans to come to the table to work out solutions to those problems."

The two representatives from Northeastern Wisconsin are part of a trend that has shifted power away from Milwaukee.

Milwaukee County lost seats when the state last redrew its district lines, and some seats traditionally held by Democrats have been taken over by Republicans.

Demographics across the state are also changing. Population has actually dropped slightly in Milwaukee County, while it has climbed in Brown, Calumet, Outagamie and Winnebago counties.

Milwaukee, the state's largest city, now has no top leaders in the state Assembly.

"They've gotten their fair share, but it's good to see that northern Wisconsin has not been forgotten," Hansen said.

— Kate McGinty writes for The Post-Crescent of Appleton.