Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, shown speaking in defense of the state budget during a legislative debate last year, said Republicans intend to pursue tax cuts and other priorities in the next legislative session. Credit: Associated Press

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Madison — Republicans who control the state Assembly said Tuesday that they plan over the next two years to cut taxes, improve worker training, expand taxpayer support for those attending private schools and help protect people from identity theft.

"We want to help people find jobs faster," Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) said at a Capitol news conference.

Republicans control the Assembly 60-38 and are expected to hold a large majority after the Nov. 4 election. Their ability to achieve their goals will depend in part on which party controls the Senate and who wins the race for governor. GOP Gov. Scott Walker is in a tight race against Democrat Mary Burke.

Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) said the Republican approach would leave average taxpayers worse off.

"It appears Republicans have no intention of prioritizing support for our public schools, ensuring affordable health care coverage or many other important issues that are the building blocks of a strong middle class," Barca said in a written statement responding to the GOP plan.

Assembly Republicans are aiming to cut income and property taxes, streamline business regulations and start to shore up the transportation fund, said Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette), co-chairman of the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee.

The GOP lawmakers said they would also extend for another two years a freeze on tuition at University of Wisconsin System schools and screen people on public benefits for drugs — two ideas promoted by Walker. Those who test positive for drugs would be given treatment, Rep. Dean Knudson (R-Hudson) said.

They also backed a plan to give those on public benefits a single card with their photo on it that could be used to access all services.

They would also provide them with a statement annually telling them how much they had claimed in benefits.

Vos said his caucus also would overhaul the Government Accountability Board, which oversees state elections, and explore requiring "kill switches" on cellphones so that people who lost their devices could make their data inaccessible.

Vos said a proposal to ban abortion after 20 weeks was not on his agenda, but he declined to rule out the idea.