Posted Wednesday, January 9, 2013 --- 5:14 p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Gov. Scott Walker has met with Assembly Democrats on the eve what is expected to be a contentious debate over a Republican push to clamp down on late night debates.

The issue didn't come up during Walker's 15 minutes at the Democratic Assembly caucus on Wednesday afternoon. Walker gave a brief speech welcoming the 14 newly elected Democrats and encouraging all of them to meet regularly with him during the session.

He also fielded questions from the lawmakers who asked about his commitment to making lighting in state buildings more energy efficient, redoing the state aid formula to schools, addressing gun violence, his commitment to agriculture and redistricting reform.

Walker says he's open to discussing all of those issues with Democrats as he works on assembling his budget proposal.

Copyright 2013: Associated Press