Despite the tensions stemming from the lame-duck session and the transition from one administration to the next, leaders of both parties continue to pledge commitments to working across the aisle.

"All four of us have been committed to working together with the legislature," Kaul said, referring to himself, Evers, Lt. Gov.-elect Mandela Barnes and state Treasurer-elect Sarah Godlewski, who addressed reporters hours after the bills were passed. "We have talked about it repeatedly."

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, has argued throughout the process that the legislation allows the Legislature to work with the executive branch effectively by ensuring each branch of government is on equal footing with an appropriate balance of powers.

"We did have an election … I respect that fact," Vos aid Tuesday. "(Evers) is not the governor today and that’s why we’re going to make sure that the powers of each branch are as equal as they can be."

Vos told reporters he looks forward to discussing ways to work with Evers once he is inaugurated.

But for Evers and his Democratic colleagues, that wasn't enough.

Barnes decried the bills as a "dangerous way to govern."

"The four of us won those races," Evers said "The people of Wisconsin expect better from us as leaders in the Legislature than to pit people against each other."

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