%
->> THIS IS A TEST OF THE
%-CAPTIONING SYSTEM.
%-[CAPTION
TEST]
%-[CAPTON
TEST]
%-[CAPTION TEST]
%-MONDAY,
JANUARY 23,
2024,
%-7:00 P.M.,
GOVERNOR'S STATE OF%-THE STATE
ADDRESS.
%
->> THE FOLLOWING
PROGRAM IS
A%-PBS WISCONSIN
ORIGINAL
%-PRODUCTION.
%->>
WELCOME
TO WISCONSIN
PUBLIC
%-MEDIA'S
COVERAGE
OF
GOVERNOR%-TONY
EVERS' SIXTH STATE OF THE%-STATE ADDRESS.
%-WE ARE
BRINGING
YOU
LIVE%-COVERAGE TONIGHT FROM
THE%-WISCONSIN STATE
CAPITOL
IN
%-MADISON.
%-IN A
FEW
MOMENTS,
THE
46TH
%-GOVERNOR OF WISCONSIN WILL
MAKE
%-HIS WAY
INTO
THE
ASSEMBLY%-CHAMBERS.
%->>
SPEAKERS
WILL
SPEAK
TONIGHT
%-BEFORE A JOINT
SESSION OF
THE
%-BI-R. WISCONSIN ASSEMBLY AND
%-SENATE, THE
STATE SUPREME
COURT,
%-HIS CABINET
AND
TRIBAL
LEADERS.
%-GOOD
EVENING,
I'M SHAWN JOHNSON
%-FROM
WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO.%->>
AND
I'M FREDERICA
FREYBERG
%-FROM PBS
WISCONSIN.
%-TONIGHT,
DEMOCRATIC
GOVERNOR%-TONY EVERS
LAYS
OUT
HIS PLANS
%-FOR 2024.
%-HE'LL BE
SPEAKING
TO
THE 107TH
%-SESSION OF THE
WISCONSIN
%-LEGISLATURE.
%->>
SENATE
MAJORITY LEADER DEVIN
%-LEMAHIEU WHO
REPRESENTS
%-COMMUNITIES IN
SHEBOYGAN
AND
%-MANITOWOC
COUNTIES
ALONG LAKE
%-MICHIGAN WILL
PROVIDE THIS
%-YEAR'S
REPUBLICAN RESPONSE
%-IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING
THE
%-GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE
%-ADDRESS.%->>
AND
WE
DO
UNDERSTAND THAT
THE
%-GOVERNOR
EXPECTS
THIS
EVENING
TO
%-FOCUS
ON
WHAT HE HAS
CALLED
%-WORKFORCE
CHALLENGES,
INCLUDING
%-SHORTAGES
OF
WORKERS AND
CHILD
%-CARE AND
THAT KIND
OF
THING.
%-BUT
AHEAD
OF THIS
SHINING NIGHT
%-FOR
THE
GOVERNOR, THE
REPUBLICAN
%-LEGISLATURE HAS
BEEN
BUSY BOTH
%-YESTERDAY
AND
TODAY.%->>
YEAH,
I
MEAN, TONIGHT
IS
THE
%-SPEECH IS
ABOUT
HIM
FRAMING
THE
%-AGENDA AS HE
SEES
IT,
THEY
HELD
%-A
HEARING
YESTERDAY IN
THE
%-ASSEMBLY
ON
A
14-WEEK
ABORTION
%-BAN, TODAY
REPUBLICANS IN THE
%-SENATE AND
ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED
A
%-PACKAGE OF
TAX
CUTS,
AND
SENATE
%-REPUBLICANS EVEN
PASSED A
%-REDISTRICTING PLAN.%-SO THEY
HAVE
BEEN BUSY
KIND OF
%-LAYING OUT
THE
TABLE
FOR
THE
%-LEGISLATIVE
SESSION, WHAT'S LEFT
%-OF IT.
%-THIS IS
THE
GOVERNOR'S
CHANCE TO
%-DO
THE
SAME
BEFORE
THE STATE OF%-WISCONSIN.
%->> AND
THE
GOVERNOR
IS
EXPECTED%-TO
MAKE
HIS
WAY
INTO
THE
%-ASSEMBLY CHAMBERS VERY
SHORTLY.
%-WE
KNOW
THAT
THE SUPREME
%-COURT -- A
NEW SUPREME COURT
%-SINCE THE LAST TIME
THE
GOVERNOR
%-MADE
THIS
ADDRESS IS
SEATED
AND
%-THE STATE SENATE
IS
ALSO IN
THE
%-ASSEMBLY CHAMBERS
AWAITING
THE
%-GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS.
%->>
YEAH, I
MEAN,
THAT'S
A PRETTY
%-SEISMIC CHANGE IN TERMS OF THE
%-AUDIENCE
HE'S
SPEAKING TO IN THE
%-ROOM.
%-WE STILL
HAVE
THOSE
BIG
%-REPUBLICAN
MAJORITIES THAT
HE'S%-BEEN
USED
TO
DURING
HIS FIRST
%-TERM,
AND
THE FIRST YEAR OF
THIS
%-TERM.
%-22 REPUBLICANS IN THE
SENATE, 64 IN
THE
ASSEMBLY.
%-YOU KIND OF
KNOW THE
DRILL IF
%-YOU
WATCH
THESE
SPEECHES,
%-THEY'RE NOT GOING TO
CLAP
FOR A
%-LOT
OF
STUFF
THEY
SAYS,
%-DEMOCRATS WILL CLAP FOR
MOST OF
%-IT.
%-THE
COURT,
THOUGH, IS A HUGE
%-DEAL.
%-THERE'S
A
4-3 LIBERAL
MAJORITY%-THERE
NOW,
AND YOU
KNOW, THEY'RE
%-GOING TO
BE
BUSY IN
THE
NEXT
FEW
%-MONTHS
ON
ISSUES LIKE
%-REDISTRICTING, BUT THEY'RE
%-NOT -- THEY
WON'T
BE
THE
VOCAL
%-PEOPLE IN THE
AUDIENCE, I
THINK
%-IT'S FAIR
TO
SAY
TONIGHT.%->>
YES.
%-AND AS
YOU'VE
JUST
SAID, OF
%-COURSE, THAT
REDISTRICTING CASE
%-IS
BEFORE THE
NEW
LIBERAL
%-MAJORITY SUPREME
COURT, A
VERY
%-MAJOR,
MAJOR DEAL AS
THE
%-GOVERNOR GIVES
HIS ADDRESS
%-TONIGHT.
%->>
YOU
KNOW,
WE
ALSO
HAVE
%-DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES
FOR
THE%-STATE OF THE STATE THAN WE
DID
%-LAST YEAR IN THAT
THIS
IS
NOT
A
%-BUDGET YEAR, SO THIS
IS
NOT
KIND
%-OF A HINT
AT
WHAT
HE'S
GOING TO%-BE DOING
WITH
HIS
BUDGET, IT'S
%-NOT HIS
OWN, YOU
KNOW,%-RE-ELECTION YEAR,
HE'S
NOT ON%-THE
BALLOT THIS
YEAR, BUT
WE
DO
%-HAVE
THAT 2024
ELECTION AND
%-EVERYTHING THAT IT BRINGS
WITH
%-IT, PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTION.
%-AS
WE GET
DRAWN
IN BY
THE
%-GRAVITY, EVERYTHING JUST GETS
%-MORE AND
MORE
POLITICAL.
%-EVERYTHING GETS MORE AND
MORE
%-PARTISAN.
%-SO
SOME OF
THE
BIPARTISAN
%-COMPROMISES THAT THEY
REACHED
%-LAST YEAR ON
ISSUES LIKE
SHARED
%-REVENUE OR
FUNDING
FOR THE
%-BREWERS
STADIUM,
HOUSING, IT'S%-GOING TO BE
TOUGHER
TO
REACH
%-POTENTIALLY
IN A YEAR WHERE
YOU
%-HAVE AN
ELECTION
LIKE
WE
DO
AND
%-WE'RE THE CENTER OF
THE
%-POLITICAL
UNIVERSE.
%-BUT THEY
HAVE
A
COUPLE MONTHS TO
%-WORK ON SOME
STUFF
IN
%-LEGISLATIVE SESSION.%->>
WE'LL
SEE HOW
THAT GOES
AND,
%-AGAIN, WE
WERE
JUST
DESCRIBING
%-HOW JUST
YESTERDAY AND
EVEN
%-TODAY,
REALLY
RIGHT
UP
TO
THIS
%-ADDRESS, THE
REPUBLICAN
%-LEGISLATURE WAS
WORKING
ON
%-BILLS.
%-WE'LL SEE WHAT
HAPPENS
WITH
%-THOSE.
%-IT
SEEMS
UNLIKELY
TO ME
THAT
%-THAT KIND
OF
COMPROMISE WILL
%-PERSIST.
%-AGAIN,
AS YOU
SAY,
LEADING
INTO
%-THIS
VERY
POLARIZED KIND
OF
%-ELECTION
SEASON.%->> IT'S TOUGH.
%-MAYBE THEY
GOT
SOME --
MAYBE
%-THEY GOT
USED TO IT LAST YEAR
A
%-LITTLE
BIT,
BECAUSE
I THINK
SOME%-OF THE
THINGS
THAT THEY WERE
%-ABLE TO
AGREE
ON
LAST
YEAR,
%-PARTICULARLY LOCAL GOVERNMENT
%-FUNDING, SALES TAX
FOR
%-MILWAUKEE, I
MEAN,
THAT
IS --
%-WE'VE
KIND OF
TAKEN
FOR
GRANTED%-BECAUSE WE'VE TALKED ABOUT
IT A
%-LOT, BUT THOSE ARE
KIND OF
A
BIG
%-DEAL,
AND THAT
WAS --
%-REPUBLICANS PASSED
IT
WITH
HELP
%-FROM
DEMOCRATS, SIGNED
BY
A
%-DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR.%-SO THE
FRAMEWORK
IS
THERE.
%-THEY HAVE DONE
IT.%->>
I
DO
KNOW
THAT --
THE
TAX
CUT
%-THAT THEY
HAVE
INTRODUCED
DOES
%-SEEM TO
BE
DESIGNED POTENTIALLY
%-TO APPEAL MORE TO
THE
GOVERNOR.%->>
MR. PRESIDENT
AND
MEMBERS,
%-THE
GOVERNOR OF THE
GREAT STATE
%-OF
WISCONSIN, THE
HONORABLE TONY
%-EVERS!%-[APPLAUSE]
%-[APPLAUSE]
%->>
AT
THIS
TIME, I INTRODUCE TO
%-YOU
THE
GOVERNOR OF
THE
GREAT%-STATE OF
WISCONSIN, THE
%-HONORABLE TONY
EVERS.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%->>
THANK
YOU!
%-THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
%-THANK YOU.
%-WELL,
I
DIDN'T
SEE -- I
ASKED%-ONE OF
THE FOUR
LEGISLATORS THAT
%-WERE
COMING DOWN
WITH
ME
TO --%-ONE OF
THEM TO
DO
A
SOMER
SAULT.
%-DID ANYBODY DO
THAT?
%-DARN IT.
%-NEXT
YEAR.
%-ANYWAY, GOOD
EVENING,
%-WISCONSINITES,
HONORABLE SUPREME
%-COURT
JUSTICES,
TRIBAL
NATION
%-LEADERS,
CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER,
%-MEMBERS OF THE
WISCONSIN%-NATIONAL GUARD AND
ACTIVE
AND
%-RETIRED
MEMBERS
OF OUR
ARMED
%-FORCES, CABINET
MEMBERS,
SENATE
%-PRESIDENT
KAPENGA,
MAJORITY
%-LEADER
LEMAHIEU,
MINORITY LEADER
%-HESSELBEIN, SPEAKER VOS
AND
%-MINORITY LEADER
NEUBAUER,
%-LEGISLATORS,
DISTINGUISHED
%-GUESTS AND
WISCONSINITES
JOINING
%-US HERE
AND
FROM
AFAR, THANK YOU
%-FOR BEING
HERE
WITH US TONIGHT.
%-I'M TONY EVERS, AND I'M PROUD TO
%-BE HERE TONIGHT AS THE 46TH
%-GOVERNOR OF THE GREAT STATE OF
%-WISCONSIN TO DELIVER MY 2024
%-STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-MY
DAUGHTER
KATIE,
MY
DAUGHTER
%-KATIE AND
MY
GRANDSON
KEYTON ARE
%-HERE WITH
US TONIGHT.
%-AND IF
YOU'LL BEAR WITH
ME FOR
A
%-MINUTE, I'D LIKE TO GIVE
A
%-SPECIAL
SHOUTOUT TO
MY
BETTER
%-HALF,
KATHY,
WHO'S HERE
AS
WELL.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-KATHY WAS NAMED A 2023 CAREGIVER
%-HERO BY LUTHERAN SOCIAL
%-SERVICES, WHICH IS AWARDED IN
%-HONOR OF OUR GOOD FRIEND, FORMER
%-GOVERNOR MARTY SCHREIBER.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-KATHY WAS RECOGNIZED FOR HER
%-ADVOCACY AROUND ALZHEIMER'S AND
%-OTHER DEMENTIAS, INCLUDING
%-MAKING THE EXECUTIVE RESIDENCE A
%-DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY LOCATION.
%-KATHLEEN FRANCES, I AM SO PROUD
%-OF YOU.
%-I LOVE YOU SO
MUCH.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-WISCONSIN,
IT'S
BEEN ONE HECK
OF%-A YEAR, AND
I
HAVE
MUCH TO
%-REPORT.
%-WHEN I DELIVERED MY 2023 STATE
%-OF THE STATE ADDRESS A YEAR AGO,
%-WE WERE KICKING OFF WISCONSIN'S
%-175TH BIRTHDAY AND CELEBRATING
%-175
YEARS OF
STATEHOOD.
%-WISCONSIN HAS
NEVER
BEEN IN
A
%-BETTER FISCAL POSITION.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-WISCONSIN, I BEGIN TONIGHT WITH%-EVEN BETTER NEWS.
%-AS WE ENTER 2024, OUR STATE HAS
%-NEVER BEEN IN A BETTER FISCAL
%-POSITION THAN WE ARE
%-TODAY,
BETTER
THAN LAST
YEAR,
%-BETTER THAN WHEN
I TOOK
OFFICE,%-AND
BETTER
THAN
ANY
YEAR
IN
%-WISCONSIN'S
176 YEARS OF
%-STATEHOOD.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-WE BEGAN THIS BIENNIUM IN THE
%-BEST FISCAL POSITION IN OUR
%-STATE'S HISTORY.
%-WE SET OUT TO PREPARE A
%-BREAKTHROUGH
BUDGET,
A RARE
%-OPPORTUNITY
TO
DEFINE
OUR
%-POSTERITY.%-AND
TOGETHER, WE DID.
%-WE
NEEDED TO
TAKE
RESPONSIBILITY%-FOR SOME OF OUR
STATE'S
MOST
%-IMPORTANT OBLIGATIONS.
%-BUT WE STILL COULDN'T AFFORD TO
%-BE CARELESS OR RECKLESS.
%-WE NEEDED TO MAKE INVESTMENTS IN
%-PRIORITIES LONG NEGLECTED.
%-BUT WE STILL HAD TO SAVE WHERE
%-WE COULD.
%-WE NEEDED TO STAY PRUDENT AND
%-WELL WITHIN OUR MEANS WHILE
%-STILL
MARCHING
TOWARDS
THE
%-FUTURE WE'RE
WORKING HARD TO
%-BUILD
TOGETHER.
%-OUR BIPARTISAN EFFORTS ON
%-HOUSING ARE A GOOD EXAMPLE.
%-I COMPLETED MY FOURTH 72-COUNTY
%-TOUR OF WISCONSIN THIS PAST%-DECEMBER.
%-I'VE BEEN TO EVERY COUNTY AT
%-LEAST FOUR TIMES AND
SOMETIMES
%-MANY MORE.
%-AND NO
MATTER
WHO I
AM
TALKING
%-TO, OR
WHERE I
GO,
OUR
LARGEST
%-COMMUNITIES
OR OUR
SMALLEST
%-TOWNS AND
VILLAGES,
%-WISCONSINITES TELL
ME,
"WE
NEED
%-MORE
AFFORDABLE
HOUSING,"
AND I
%-AGREE.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-BUILDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN
%-EVERY CORNER OF OUR STATE IS
%-CRITICAL TO MAKE
SURE THAT
%-WISCONSIN IS PREPARED
TO MEET
%-THE NEEDS OF
A 21ST
CENTURY
%-WORKFORCE IN
A 21ST CENTURY
%-ECONOMY.
%-SINCE I TOOK OFFICE, WE'VE
%-INVESTED IN BUILDING NEARLY
%-15,000 AFFORDABLE HOUSING
%-UNITS,
NEARLY 2500 LAST YEAR
%-ALONE, AND MORE
THAN 24,000
%-HOUSING UNITS
TOTAL.
%-AND WE'RE NOT
STOPPING THERE.
%-THIS PAST
YEAR, WE
WORKED
%-TOGETHER TO
INVEST MORE
THAN%-$500 MILLION
IN
WORKFORCE
%-HOUSING, ONE OF THE
LARGEST
%-INVESTMENTS IN
OUR
STATE'S
%-HISTORY.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-WE'RE WORKING EVERY DAY TO MAKE
%-SURE OUR WORKFORCE, ECONOMY, AND
%-INFRASTRUCTURE ARE READY TO MEET
%-THE NEEDS OF THE 21ST CENTURY.
%-PART OF THAT IS MAKING SURE
%-KIDS, FAMILIES, WORKERS,
%-FARMERS, AND MANUFACTURERS HAVE
%-THE INFRASTRUCTURE THEY NEED TO
%-GET FROM POINT A TO POINT B
%-SAFELY.
%-WHEN I TOOK OFFICE, YEARS OF
%-DISINVESTMENT HAD CAUSED OUR
%-ROADS AND BRIDGES TO CRUMBLE%-INTO DISREPAIR.
%-SO, YOU'RE DARN RIGHT WE'VE BEEN
%-FIXING THE
DAMN
ROADS.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-ALL YOU'VE
GOT TO DO
IS
FIND
%-THOSE ORANGE BARRELS.
%-SINCE 2019, WE'VE IMPROVED OVER
%-7,424 MILES OF ROAD AND 1,780
%-BRIDGES, INCLUDING OVER 900
%-MILES OF ROAD AND OVER 200
%-BRIDGES LAST YEAR ALONE.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-WE'VE ALSO WORKED WITH OUR
%-MINNESOTA AND FEDERAL PARTNERS
%-TO SECURE OVER $1 BILLION IN
%-FEDERAL FUNDING TO SUPPORT OUR
%-EFFORT TO REPLACE THE BLATNIK
%-BRIDGE IN SUPERIOR.
%-IT'S A CRITICAL ECONOMIC DRIVER
%-FOR OUR STATE AND SUPPORTS THE
%-LARGEST PORT ON THE GREAT LAKES.
%-AND
I'LL TELL YOU
THIS,
THIS
GOT
%-DONE -- YOU BET!
%-AND I TELL YOU
THIS,
WE
GOT
THIS
%-DONE BECAUSE
THERE'S
NO ONE
%-WHO'S BEEN
FIGHTING
HARDER
IN
%-WASHINGTON TO BRING THIS
%-INVESTMENT BACK
HOME
THAN
%-WISCONSIN'S
SENATOR TAMMY
%-BALDWIN.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-WHEN I WAS HERE FOUR YEARS AGO,
%-I ANNOUNCED A THREE-PRONGED PLAN
%-TO ADDRESS OUR STATE'S DAIRY%-CRISIS.
%-I LATER PROUDLY SIGNED A
%-BIPARTISAN BILL CREATING THE
%-WISCONSIN INITIATIVE FOR
%-AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS.
%-WE'RE WORKING TO MEET OUR
%-AMBITIOUS GOAL OF INCREASING THE
%-VALUE OF WISCONSIN'S
%-AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS BY AT LEAST
%-25 PERCENT BY MID-2026.
%-SO, WE WORKED TOGETHER LAST YEAR
%-TO INVEST $2 MILLION TO HELP
%-PROMOTE WISCONSIN MILK AND
%-DAIRY, MEAT, CROP, AND OTHER
%-PRODUCTS AROUND THE WORLD.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-I'M ALSO PROUD THAT OUR
%-ADMINISTRATION WORKED WITH THE
%-GREAT LAKES INDIAN FISH AND
%-WILDLIFE COMMISSION AND THE
%-MENOMINEE AND THE LAC COURTE
%-OREILLES TRIBAL NATIONS LAST
%-YEAR ON A NEW EFFORT TO PRESERVE
%-AND RESTORE WILD RICE IN
%-WISCONSIN.
%-WILD RICE HAS BEEN HARVESTED
%-HERE FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS, BUT
%-IT'S THREATENED BY THE EFFECTS
%-OF CHANGING CLIMATE AND WATER
%-QUALITY.
%-WE SECURED NEARLY $2 MILLION TO
%-SUPPORT RESEARCHING AND
%-DEVELOPING STRATEGIES TO HELP
%-CONSERVE THIS IMPORTANT CULTURAL
%-RESOURCE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-CONSERVING AND PROTECTING OUR
%-NATURAL RESOURCES AND LAND
%-CONTINUES TO BE A TOP PRIORITY
%-FOR MY ADMINISTRATION.
%-I'M ALSO EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE
%-TONIGHT I'M APPROVING THE
%-LARGEST FOREST CONSERVATION
%-EFFORT IN STATE'S HISTORY.
%-IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BIDEN
%-ADMINISTRATION AND THE
%-CONSERVATION FUND, WE'VE
%-APPROVED THE CONSERVATION
%-EASEMENT FOR THE PELICAN RIVER
%-FOREST'S REMAINING ACRES TO
%-PROTECT THE FOREST FOR
%-GENERATIONS OF FUTURE
%-WISCONSINITES TO USE AND ENJOY.
%-THIS IS A BIG DEAL, FOLKS.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-WISCONSINITES, THIS IS THE
%-FUTURE WE'RE BUILDING.
%-AND NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE,
%-YOU CAN SEE THE RESULTS OF OUR
%-EFFORTS.
%-IN WISCONSIN TODAY, A KID GOT
%-READY FOR SCHOOL AND PUT ON
%-THEIR FAVORITE MILWAUKEE BREWERS
%-SHIRT.
%-BECAUSE WE WORKED TOGETHER LAST
%-YEAR TO KEEP MAJOR LEAGUE
%-BASEBALL IN WISCONSIN THROUGH
%-2050, THAT KID CAN GROW UP,
%-GRADUATE, AND START A FAMILY IN
%-WISCONSIN, AND THEY WILL BE ABLE
%-TO TAKE THEIR KIDS OUT TO THE
%-BALL GAME
WHERE
THE
BREWERS
WILL
%-STILL BE
THE HOME
TEAM.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-TODAY, A WISCONSINITE TUNING IN
%-FROM THEIR TV AT HOME IS USING
%-ELECTRICITY THAT IS 100 PERCENT
%-SOLAR-POWERED AND CARBON-FREE
%-BECAUSE WE'VE APPROVED ENOUGH
%-SOLAR PROJECTS ACROSS OUR
%-STATE,
4,000 MEGAWATTS'
WORTH,
%-TO
POWER MORE
THAN 750,000%-WISCONSIN
HOMES
WITH
AVERAGE
%-ELECTRICITY
USAGE
FOR
365 DAYS
%-STRAIGHT.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-IN WISCONSIN TODAY, VOLUNTEER
%-EMS AND FIRE PROVIDERS IN
%-DELAVAN ARE RECEIVING INCREASED
%-STIPENDS; BARRON COUNTY HAS
%-HIRED TWO NEW PUBLIC SAFETY
%-OFFICERS; PESHTIGO IS PURCHASING
%-NEW EMS EQUIPMENT; AND RESIDENTS
%-ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF MILWAUKEE
%-WILL HAVE QUICKER EMERGENCY
%-RESPONSE TIMES.
%-THIS PROGRESS IS POSSIBLE
%-BECAUSE WE WORKED TOGETHER TO
%-PROVIDE AN HISTORIC INCREASE IN
%-SHARED REVENUE, STATE SUPPORT
%-THAT GOES DIRECTLY BACK TO OUR
%-LOCAL COMMUNITIES.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-OUR BIPARTISAN EFFORT INCLUDED A
%-20-PERCENT INCREASE IN SUPPORT
%-TO MOST MUNICIPALITIES
%-STATEWIDE.
%-AFTER A GENERATION OF OUR STATE
%-ASKING FOR LOCAL PARTNERS TO DO%-MORE WITH LESS, TODAY, WE ARE
%-WORKING TO DELIVER ON OUR
%-PROMISE OF MAKING SURE OUR
%-COMMUNITIES CAN MEET BASIC AND
%-UNIQUE NEEDS ALIKE.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-TODAY IN
WISCONSIN, ONE OF OUR
%-NATION'S
HEROS HAS
JOINED
OUR
%-WORKFORCE
AFTER
TRANSITIONING
%-FROM
SERVICE
BACK
TO CIVILIAN
%-LIFE.
%-THEY WENT
TO
WORK TODAY
IN A
%-GOOD-PAYING,
FAMILY-SUPPORTING%-JOB
RIGHT
HERE AT
HOME
IN
%-WISCONSIN, WHERE I'M
PROUD
TO
%-ANNOUNCE THAT
WE
NOW
RANK
4TH IN
%-THE COUNTRY
FOR
SUCCESSFULLY
%-HELPING
VETERANS
FIND
%-EMPLOYMENT.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-WE ALL
HAVE
TO BE
PROUD OF
THAT.
%-WISCONSINITES, THIS IS THE STATE%-OF OUR STATE.%-THIS IS THE FUTURE WE'VE SPENT%-YEARS WORKING HARD TO BUILD
%-TOGETHER.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-BUT LET ME BE CLEAR: THESE
%-RESULTS AND OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
%-DON'T
MEAN -- DOESN'T
MEAN OUR%-WORK
IS
FINISHED.
%-IF
ANYTHING,
OUR
PROGRESS
%-DEMANDS OUR
EFFORTS TO
CONTINUE.
%-THERE
IS,
AS
ALWAYS, MORE
WE
CAN
%-DO.
%-AND
THAT
WORK
BEGINS IN
EARNEST%-HERE TONIGHT.
%-LET'S START WITH PFAS.
%-PFAS ARE A REAL THREAT TO OUR
%-KIDS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES.
%-THESE HUMAN-MADE CHEMICALS CAN
%-BE TOXIC TO HUMANS AND
%-WILDLIFE, AND
THEY'VE BEEN
USED
%-IN EVERYDAY
PRODUCTS
FOR MORE%-THAN
A
HALF
A
CENTURY.
%-IN WISCONSIN, WHERE WE HUNT,%-FISH, AND WANT TO TRUST THE
%-WATER COMING FROM OUR TAP, AND
%-WHERE OUR ECONOMIES RELY UPON
%-WATER RESOURCES FOR LIVESTOCK,
%-CROPS, AND OUTDOOR RECREATION,
%-PFAS ARE A THREAT TO OUR WAY OF
%-LIFE AND OUR ECONOMY.
%-THAT'S
WHY I
DIRECTED%-$10 MILLION INTO A
NEW
STATEWIDE
%-PROGRAM
TO
HELP
CONTAMINANTS
%-LIKE
PFAS -- TO
GET
CONTAMINANTS
%-LIKE
PFAS OUT OF
OUR
WATER
%-SUPPLIES.
%-I'M PROUD
TO
REPORT
THIS
PROGRAM%-HAS
HELPED
REPLACE
OR
ABANDON
%-NEARLY 500
CONTAMINATED WATER
%-WELLS
ACROSS
WISCONSIN.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-AND AFTER FIVE YEARS OF CALLING
%-FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION, WE SAW
%-THE FIRST REAL AND MEANINGFUL
%-STATE INVESTMENT TO SPECIFICALLY
%-ADDRESS PFAS IN OUR STATE'S
%-HISTORY LAST YEAR.
%-THE LEGISLATURE AND I BOTH
%-APPROVED A $125 MILLION
%-INVESTMENT TO START TACKLING
%-PFAS ACROSS OUR STATE.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-THAT'S GREAT
NEWS.
%-THAT'S GREAT
NEWS, BUT
HERE'S
%-THE RUB.
%-I
SIGNED
THAT
BUDGET
LAST
JULY,
%-TODAY
IS
JANUARY 23RD.
%-IT'S BEEN
OVER 200 DAYS AND
%-REPUBLICANS HAVE NOT
RELEASED 1%-CENT OF THAT
INVESTMENT.
%-$125 MILLION
INVESTMENT
TO
FIGHT
%-PFAS
STATEWIDE,
SITTING
RIGHT
%-HERE
IN
MADISON
BECAUSE
%-REPUBLICANS REFUSE TO
RELEASE
%-IT.
%-THAT'S
BREATHTAKING.
%-REPUBLICANS,
PLEASE RELEASE
THIS
%-FUNDING SO
THAT WE
CAN
GET
IT
%-OUT TO
FAMILIES,
CHILD
CARE
%-FACILITIES,
SCHOOLS,
BUSINESSES,
%-AND
COMMUNITIES
ACROSS
THE
STATE
%-WHO NEED
IT.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-ANOTHER AREA WHERE WE MUST WORK
%-TOGETHER TO DO MORE AND QUICKLY:
%-LET'S TALK MENTAL HEALTH.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-I SAID HERE LAST YEAR THAT I
%-FEARED THE STATE OF MENTAL
%-HEALTH IN WISCONSIN WAS A QUIET,
%-BURGEONING CRISIS-ONE I STILL
%-BELIEVE WILL HAVE CASCADING
%-EFFECTS FOR GENERATIONS IF IT%-GOES UNADDRESSED.
%-SO, I DECLARED 2023 THE YEAR OF
%-MENTAL HEALTH IN WISCONSIN.
%-AND, YES, WE ACCOMPLISHED SOME
%-IMPORTANT WORK TOGETHER.
%-WE FOUGHT
HARD TO
SECURE
ANOTHER%-$30 MILLION
IN
THIS
BUDGET TO
%-BUILD UPON
OUR
SUCCESSFUL
"GET%-KIDS AHEAD" INITIATIVE
TO
%-PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH
SERVICES
%-TO EVERY SCHOOL
DISTRICT
IN
%-WISCONSIN.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-BUT I DON'T NEED TO REMIND THIS
%-LEGISLATURE THAT I REQUESTED
%-MORE THAN $500 MILLION LAST YEAR
%-TO HELP EXPAND ACCESS TO MENTAL
%-AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES
%-STATEWIDE, ONLY A FRACTION OF
%-WHICH WAS APPROVED.
%-ONE YEAR AFTER DECLARING THE
%-YEAR OF MENTAL HEALTH, I'LL TELL
%-YOU TONIGHT, AS GOVERNOR AND AS
%-A GRANDFATHER, MY CONCERNS HAVE
%-NOT CHANGED, AND MY FEARS HAVE%-NOT WANED.
%-MUCH WORK REMAINS.
%-THE DATA HAVE NOT IMPROVED.
%-ACCORDING TO THE LATEST REPORT
%-FROM THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN'S
%-MENTAL HEALTH, KIDS CONTINUE TO
%-REPORT HIGHLY CONCERNING LEVELS
%-OF ANXIETY, DEPRESSION,
%-SELF-HARM, AND SUICIDAL%-THOUGHTS.
%-THAT'S STILL ESPECIALLY TRUE FOR
%-TEEN GIRLS, STUDENTS OF COLOR,
%-AND LGBTQ KIDS.
%-ONE-THIRD OF HIGH SCHOOL KIDS
%-STILL EXPERIENCE FEELINGS OF
%-SADNESS AND HOPELESSNESS NEARLY
%-EVERY DAY.
%-ABOUT ONE IN TEN TEENS HAS
%-ATTEMPTED SUICIDE, AND NEARLY
%-HALF OF LGBTQ YOUTH SERIOUSLY
%-CONSIDERED SUICIDE.
%-TODAY, ONE IN SIX KIDS
%-EXPERIENCED A SERIOUS EPISODE OF
%-DEPRESSION
IN 2023.
%-IT
USED
TO
BE ONE
IN SEVEN.
%-MY ADMINISTRATION AND I
ARE NOT
%-GOING TO
LET
UP
ON
OUR WORK
ON
%-THIS ISSUE
IN 2024.
%-WE'RE GOING TO
DOUBLE
OUR
%-EFFORTS
AND TAKE
A%-WHOLE-OF-GOVERNMENT
APPROACH.
%-TONIGHT,
I'M
ANNOUNCING
I'M
%-CREATING
AN
INTERAGENCY COUNCIL%-ON MENTAL HEALTH AND
DIRECTING%-WISCONSIN STATE AGENCIES
TO
WORK
%-TOGETHER
TO
REDUCE
BARRIERS
AND
%-ADDRESS GAPS
IN MENTAL HEALTH
%-SERVICES.
%-WE'RE GOING TO DEVELOP A
%-STATEWIDE MENTAL HEALTH ACTION%-PLAN TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES
%-OF OUR MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS,
%-INCREASE AWARENESS AND REDUCE
%-STIGMA, AND BUILD CAPACITY FOR
%-US TO EXPAND ACCESS TO MENTAL
%-HEALTH SERVICES STATEWIDE.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-OUR STATE'S MENTAL HEALTH
%-CHALLENGES ARE
VERY,
VERY
%-SIGNIFICANT.%-LET'S DO
MORE
AND
URGENTLY
TO%-MAKE A DIFFERENCE ON
THIS
ISSUE
%-IN 2024.
%-WE
HAVE
TO.
%-AND
I'M
OPTIMISTIC WE
WILL
%-BECAUSE OUR
KIDS
ARE
LEADING THE
%-WAY.
%-STUDENTS
IN
MERRILL ARE
DOING
%-AMAZING WORK THROUGH A
%-STUDENT-LED PROGRAM
CALLED
%-"RAISE YOUR
VOICE."
%-IT'S
PART
OF
AN
EFFORT
LED
BY
%-NAMI WISCONSIN
TO
EDUCATE,%-SUPPORT
AND
EMPOWER
YOUTH
TO
%-TALK
OPENLY
ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH.
%-THE PROGRAM AT MERRILL HIGH
%-SCHOOL BEGAN WITH JUST EIGHT
%-KIDS AND
THEN IT
GREW,
AND
THESE
%-STUDENTS HAVE
HELPED
EXPAND THE
%-PROGRAM TO
OTHER
MIDDLE
SCHOOLS
%-AND
HIGH
SCHOOLS
ACROSS
THE
%-REGION WITH MORE
THAN 200
%-MEMBERS.
%-MERRILL'S
RAISE
YOUR
VOICE
%-ADVISERS AND
FOUNDING STUDENTS
%-ARE
HERE IN
THE
GALLERY
TONIGHT.
%-PLEASE JOIN ME
IN
RECOGNIZING
%-THEM, AND LET'S
RESOLVE
TONIGHT%-TO DO THE
WORK
TO
SUPPORT
OUR
%-KIDS.
%-WHERE ARE
THEY?
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-NOW, AS WE CONTINUE LOOKING
%-TOWARD THE IMPORTANT WORK WE
%-HAVE TO DO BEFORE US
IN 2024,
%-THERE ARE ALSO
GOOD
THINGS ON
%-THE HORIZON.
%-WE HAVE IMPORTANT ELECTIONS%-COMING UP THIS YEAR, INCLUDING%-ONE IN NOVEMBER.
%-I'VE BEEN CLEAR THAT I BELIEVE
%-WE SHOULD BE MAKING IT EASIER,
%-NOT HARDER, FOR EVERY ELIGIBLE
%-WISCONSINITE TO CAST THEIR
%-BALLOT.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-AND, YES, I'LL CONTINUE TO VETO
%-ANY EFFORT BY POLITICIANS TO
%-ABUSE THEIR POWER TO INTERFERE
%-WITH OUR ELECTIONS, JUST AS I
%-ALWAYS HAVE.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-IN THE COMING WEEKS, I'LL ALSO
%-BE ANNOUNCING NEW STEPS I'M
%-DIRECTING MY ADMINISTRATION TO
%-TAKE TO HELP ENSURE EVERY
%-ELIGIBLE WISCONSINITE HAS THE
%-OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN
%-THE MOST PRECIOUS AND
%-FUNDAMENTAL FUNCTION OF OUR
%-DEMOCRACY, THE RIGHT
TO
VOTE.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-AND THERE'S MORE GOOD NEWS.
%-I HAVE PROMISED FROM THE
%-BEGINNING I WOULD NEVER STOP
%-FIGHTING FOR FAIR MAPS.
%-AS I STAND HERE TONIGHT, I HAVE
%-NEVER BEEN MORE HOPEFUL THAT
%-WHEN WISCONSINITES HEAD TO THE
%-BALLOT BOX LATER THIS YEAR, THEY
%-WILL BE VOTING UNDER LEGISLATIVE
%-MAPS THAT ARE FAIR, RESPONSIVE,
%-AND FINALLY REFLECT THE WILL OF
%-THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-AND I WANT FOLKS AT HOME TO
%-UNDERSTAND WHY FAIR MAPS ARE
%-IMPORTANT: BECAUSE WHEN ELECTED
%-OFFICIALS GERRYMANDER THEMSELVES
%-INTO SAFE SEATS, THEY CAN
%-COMFORTABLY IGNORE THE
%-OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF
%-WISCONSINITES WHO SUPPORT
%-COMMONSENSE POLICIES LIKE
%-BADGERCARE EXPANSION, RED-FLAG
%-LAWS, AND EXPANDING PAID FAMILY%-LEAVE.
%-AND THAT'S WRONG.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-WHAT HAS HAPPENED ON THE ISSUE
%-OF REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM IN
%-WISCONSIN OVER THE LAST TWO
%-YEARS IS ANOTHER GOOD EXAMPLE OF
%-WHY WE NEED FAIR MAPS.
%-FOR A DECADE NOW, 60 PERCENT OF
%-WISCONSINITES, ON AVERAGE, HAVE
%-CONSISTENTLY SAID THEY SUPPORT
%-ABORTION BEING LEGAL IN ALL OR
%-MOST CASES.
%-AND YET, EACH TIME I'VE ASKED
%-REPUBLICANS TO RESTORE
%-WISCONSINITES' REPRODUCTIVE
%-FREEDOM TO WHAT IT WAS THE DAY
%-BEFORE THE U.S.
%-SUPREME COURT OVERTURNED ROE,
%-THEY SAID, "NO." AND BECAUSE OF
%-THAT, WISCONSIN WOMEN SPENT OVER
%-A YEAR EXPERIENCING FIRSTHAND
%-WHAT IT'S LIKE TO LIVE IN A
%-STATE THAT BANS NEARLY ALL
%-ABORTIONS, EVEN IN CASES OF RAPE
%-OR INCEST.
%-TODAY, THANKS TO THE LAWSUIT
%-DEMOCRATS FILED DAYS AFTER THE
%-SUPREME COURT'S DECISION,
%-WISCONSINITES NOW HAVE THE SAME
%-REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM IN
%-WISCONSIN THAT THEY DID ON JUNE
%-23, 2022, BEFORE ROE WAS
%-OVERTURNED.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE: THE
%-FREEDOMS WISCONSINITES JUST GOT
%-BACK ARE ALREADY UNDER ATTACK.
%-REPUBLICANS ARE ADVANCING A BILL
%-THAT WOULD ASK WISCONSINITES TO
%-STRIP THEMSELVES OF SOME OF THE
%-BASIC REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOMS THAT
%-WERE JUST RECENTLY RESTORED TO
%-THEM.
%-AND
NO
EXCEPTIONS IN
CASES
OF
%-RAPE OR
INCEST.
%-FOLKS,
WISCONSINITES HAVE
BEEN
%-ABUNDANTLY CLEAR.
%-AS ANOTHER EXAMPLE, REPUBLICANS'
%-LAST CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR
%-WANTED TO TAKE THOSE SAME
%-FREEDOMS-AND MORE-AWAY.
%-YOU MIGHT NOTICE
HE'S
NOT
HERE
%-DELIVERING
THE STATE OF THE
%-STATE ADDRESS
TONIGHT.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-SO, I WANT TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO
%-WOMEN IN WISCONSIN TONIGHT: I
%-WILL VETO ANY BILL THAT TAKES
%-AWAY YOUR REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM
%-OR MAKES REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE
%-ANY LESS
ACCEPTABLE THAN IT IS
%-TODAY.
%-PERIOD.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-EVERY WISCONSINITE SHOULD BE
%-ABLE TO ACCESS THE HEALTHCARE
%-THEY NEED AND WHEN THEY NEED IT.%-AND, YES, THAT INCLUDES%-CONTRACEPTION.
%-LAST SUMMER, THE FOOD AND DRUG
%-ADMINISTRATION APPROVED THE
%-FIRST DAILY ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE
%-PILL FOR USE WITHOUT A
%-PRESCRIPTION, WHICH IS EXPECTED
%-TO BE AVAILABLE IN STORES AND%-ONLINE LATER THIS YEAR.
%-AND THAT'S GREAT NEWS.
%-BADGERCARE PLUS CURRENTLY COVERS
%-OVER-THE-COUNTER EMERGENCY
%-CONTRACEPTION AND DAILY
%-CONTRACEPTION WITH A
%-PRESCRIPTION FROM A PROVIDER.
%-TODAY
I'M
ANNOUNCING I'M
%-DIRECTING
THE DEPARTMENT OF%-HEALTH SERVICES TO
ISSUE A
%-STANDING
ORDER
FOR
BADGERCARE
%-PLUS
TO
SERVE
AS
THE
%-PRESCRIPTION TO
COVER
%-OVER-THE-COUNTER
CONTRACEPTION,
%-INCLUDING EMERGENCY
%-CONTRACEPTION.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-SO HERE'S HOW
IT WILL
WORK.
%-ONCE THIS CONTRACEPTION IS OUT
%-ON THE SHELVES, AN INDIVIDUAL ON
%-BADGERCARE PLUS WILL BE ABLE TO
%-GO TO ANY PHARMACY AND PICK UP
%-THE CONTRACEPTION THEY NEED.
%-THE PHARMACY WILL USE DHS'
%-STANDING ORDER TO PROCESS THEIR
%-INSURANCE COVERAGE.
%-THAT INDIVIDUAL WILL BE ABLE TO
%-LEAVE THE PHARMACY WITH THE
%-MEDICATION THEY NEED AT NO
%-OUT-OF-POCKET COST.
%-EXCUSE ME.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-THERE'S ALSO WORK WE CAN DO
%-TOGETHER TO SUPPORT HEALTHY
%-MOMS, BABIES, AND FAMILIES
%-ACROSS WISCONSIN, ESPECIALLY AS
%-WE CELEBRATE MATERNAL HEALTH
%-AWARENESS DAY.
%-PREGNANT WOMEN IN WISCONSIN UP
%-TO CERTAIN INCOME LEVELS ARE
%-ELIGIBLE FOR BADGERCARE PLUS FOR
%-THE TERM OF THEIR PREGNANCY AND
%-UP TO 60 DAYS AFTER THEY GIVE
%-BIRTH.
%-BUT, AS MOST PEOPLE KNOW,
%-RECOVERY TIME FROM A PREGNANCY
%-OFTEN LASTS LONGER THAN 60 DAYS.
%-TODAY, A BIPARTISAN BILL, SENATE
%-BILL 110, INTRODUCED BY SENATORS
%-BALLWEG AND FELZKOWSKI, WOULD
%-ENABLE WISCONSIN TO JOIN 43
%-OTHER STATES THAT ALREADY EXTEND
%-COVERAGE TO PREGNANT WOMEN FOR
%-UP TO 365 DAYS AFTER THEY GIVE
%-BIRTH.
%-TONIGHT, I'M URGING REPUBLICANS
%-AND DEMOCRATS TO WORK TOGETHER
%-TO GET THIS BILL ACROSS THE
%-FINISH LINE THIS SESSION AND TO
%-SEND IT TO MY DESK.
%-WE HAVE TO GET THIS DONE.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-THIS PAST YEAR HAS SHOWN THERE'S
%-MUCH WE CAN ACCOMPLISH WHEN WE
%-WORK TOGETHER.
%-TODAY, THERE ARE PRESSING ISSUES
%-THAT DEMAND OUR WORK BRIDGING
%-PARTISAN DIVIDE CONTINUES.
%-I, AGAIN, AM CALLING ON THIS%-LEGISLATURE TO ADDRESS WHAT I%-BELIEVE ARE THE TWO GREATEST%-CHALLENGES FACING
OUR STATE: THE
%-FIRST, OUR DECADE-LONG STRUGGLE%-TO RETAIN, ATTRACT, AND TRAIN
%-TALENTED WORKERS TO ADDRESS OUR
%-STATE'S WORKFORCE SHORTAGES; AND
%-THE SECOND, THE REPUBLICAN
%-MAJORITY'S DISINTEREST IN
%-WORKING TOWARD A MEANINGFUL,
%-BIPARTISAN PLAN TO DO SOMETHING%-ABOUT IT.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-FOLKS, "NO" ISN'T A WORKFORCE%-PLAN.
%-ASKING MORE KIDS TO WORK ISN'T A
%-WORKFORCE PLAN.
%-GIVING MORE BIG BREAKS TO
%-MILLIONAIRES AND BILLIONAIRES
%-IS
NOT
A
WORKFORCE
PLAN.
%-THESE ARE
NOT
SERIOUS
PROPOSALS
%-TO
ADDRESS
GENERATIONAL
%-STATEWIDE
ISSUES.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-IN APRIL LAST YEAR, OUR STATE
%-UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HIT A
%-RECORD-LOW OF 2.4 PERCENT.
%-LAST YEAR, WISCONSIN HAD THE
%-ALL-TIME LOWEST NUMBER OF
%-UNEMPLOYED WORKERS EVER IN%-MODERN HISTORY.
%-AND OUR STATE'S LABOR FORCE
%-PARTICIPATION RATE ALSO%-CONSISTENTLY REMAINED ABOVE THE
%-NATIONAL AVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE
%-YEAR.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-SO IT'S
TIME TO
GET
RID
OF
THAT
%-OLD
TALKING POINT
THAT
%-WISCONSINITES AREN'T
WORKING OR
%-WORKING HARD.
%-WISCONSINITES WORK HARD, AND
%-THEY ARE
WORKING.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-FROM MY VANTAGE POINT, THREE
%-THINGS ARE KEY TO ADDRESSING OUR
%-STATE'S WORKFORCE CHALLENGES:
%-FIRST, WE MUST FIND A LONG-TERM
%-SOLUTION TO OUR STATE'S LOOMING
%-CHILD CARE
CRISIS.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-SECOND, WE
MUST
EXPAND
PAID
%-FAMILY
LEAVE,
AND
THIRD, WE
MUST
%-INVEST IN
PUBLIC
EDUCATION
AT
%-EVERY
LEVEL,
FROM EARLY
%-CHILDHOOD TO
OUR
TECHNICAL
%-COLLEGES AND
UNIVERSITIES.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-WISCONSIN FACES A LOOMING CHILD
%-CARE
CRISIS.
%-COSTS TO
WORKING
FAMILIES
ARE
%-SKYROCKETING.
%-WE DON'T
HAVE
ENOUGH CHILD
CARE
%-PROVIDERS, AND
PROVIDERS WE
HAVE
%-ARE
STRUGGLING TO KEEP
THE
%-LIGHTS
ON.
%-AND THE
EFFECTS
ARE
INTUITIVE.
%-IF A
KID
NO
LONGER
HAS
CHILD
%-CARE OR A
PARENT
CAN'T
AFFORD
%-IT,
SOMEONE'S
GOING TO HAVE
TO
%-STAY HOME
WITH
THEM.
%-FOLKS,
LACK
OF
ACCESSIBLE,%-AFFORDABLE
CHILD
CARE
IS A
%-STATEWIDE
WORKFORCE
ISSUE.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-WITHOUT CONTINUED INVESTMENTS IN
%-CHILD CARE COUNTS, OUR WORKFORCE
%-WILL SUFFER MIGHTILY: 2,110
%-CHILD CARE PROGRAMS ARE
%-PROJECTED TO CLOSE.
%-87,000 KIDS COULD BE WITHOUT
%-CHILD CARE.
%-WE COULD LOSE OVER 4,880 CHILD
%-CARE JOBS.
%-THAT'S ABOUT A HALF A BILLION
%-DOLLAR ECONOMIC IMPACT ON OUR%-STATE.
%-I INTRODUCED A COMPREHENSIVE
%-WORKFORCE PLAN TO STABILIZE OUR
%-CHILD CARE INDUSTRY AND PREVENT
%-ITS COLLAPSE.
%-REPUBLICANS REJECTED IT.
%-SO, LAST FALL, I DIRECTED $170
%-MILLION IN EMERGENCY FUNDING TO
%-KEEP OUR CHILD CARE INDUSTRY%-AFLOAT.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-I WANT TO BE CLEAR: I DIRECTED
%-THAT FUNDING
THAT I
COULD, BUT
%-IT WASN'T
ENOUGH.
%-WISCONSIN CHILD CARE
PROVIDERS%-WILL SOON
RECEIVE THEIR
FINAL
%-PAYMENT FROM THE
FEDERALLY
%-FUNDED PORTION OF
CHILD
CARE
%-COUNTS.
%-SO THE
EMERGENCY $170 MILLION I
%-DIRECTED
LAST
FALL AS
A
STOPGAP
%-MEASURE NOW
KICKS
IN.
%-REPUBLICANS
ARE
OFFICIALLY ON%-THE CLOCK
TO
MAKE
THIS
%-MEANINGFUL
INVESTMENTS -- TO
%-MAKE
THE
MEANINGFUL
INVESTMENT
%-NECESSARY TO PREVENT
TO THE
%-COLLAPSE OF
AN
INDUSTRY
THAT'S
%-ESSENTIAL FOR
MAKING
OUR CURRENT
%-LEVELS
OF
WORKFORCE
%-PARTICIPATION.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-WISCONSIN, WE ALSO NEED TO%-EXPAND PAID FAMILY LEAVE.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-I'VE PROPOSED INVESTING $240
%-MILLION TO JUMPSTART A PROGRAM
%-THAT WOULD PROVIDE MOST
%-PRIVATE-SECTOR WORKERS 12 WEEKS%-OF PAID LEAVE.
%-REPUBLICANS REJECTED MY%-PROPOSAL.
%-NOT
ONCE,
BUT
TWICE.
%-PAID LEAVE IS
THE
RIGHT
THING TO
%-DO
FOR
KIDS
AND
THEIR
FAMILIES,
%-AND IT'S ALSO WHAT
WE
NEED TO
DO
%-TO
COMPETE
AND
KEEP
TALENTED
%-WORKERS.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-AND, YES, DOING WHAT'S BEST FOR
%-OUR KIDS IS WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR
%-STATE-AND IT'S WHAT'S BEST FOR
%-OUR FAMILIES AND OUR WORKFORCE,
%-TOO.
%-SO, YES, WE MUST INVEST IN
%-PUBLIC EDUCATION AT EVERY LEVEL,
%-FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD TO OUR
%-TECHNICAL COLLEGES AND
%-OUR
UNIVERSITIES.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-NOW,
I
WILL
NEVER EXPECT
%-REPUBLICANS AND
DEMOCRATS IN
%-THIS BUILDING
TO AGREE WITH
EACH
%-OTHER, OR
ME, FOR
THAT
MATTER,%-ON THE
MERITS
OF
EVERY
POLICY
%-100% OF THE
TIME.
%-THAT'S
WHAT
DEMOCRACY
IS
ABOUT.
%-BUT
THERE'S NO
EXCUSE
FOR
NOT
%-BEING WILLING
TO
WORK TOGETHER
%-ON
WHAT
EVERYBODY
AGREES IS
THE
%-MOST
PRESSING ISSUE
FACING OUR
%-STATE.
%-I'VE
INTRODUCED
A
COMPREHENSIVE
%-WORKFORCE
PLAN,
TWICE.
%-ANYONE ON EITHER
SIDE OF
THE
%-AISLE HAS A
BETTER
PLAN
THAN
%-MINE THAT
NOT ONLY
PREVENTS THE%-COLLAPSE OF OUR
STATE'S
CHILD
%-CARE
INDUSTRY,
BUT
ALSO
HELPS
US
%-COMPETE
AGAINST OUR
NEIGHBORING%-STATES
FOR TALENT
AND
INVESTS
IN
%-PUBLIC EDUCATION
AT
EVERY
LEVEL
%-TO
PREPARE OUR
KIDS FOR
THE
%-FUTURE, LET'S
HEAR
IT.
%-I WILL
WORK WITH
ANY
LEGISLATOR,
%-ANY
PARTNER,
ANY
STAKEHOLDER
%-WHO'S WILLING
TO
ENGAGE IN
%-MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS ON
%-THESE
ISSUES TO DO
THE RIGHT
%-THING FOR
WISCONSIN.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-IN THE MEANTIME, MY
%-ADMINISTRATION WILL CONTINUE TO
%-PURSUE EVERY PATHWAY AND SEEK
%-EVERY AVENUE TO ADDRESS OUR
%-WORKFORCE CHALLENGES WITHOUT
%-LEGISLATIVE ACTION, JUST AS WE
%-HAVE FOR FIVE YEARS.
%-AND WE CONTINUE THAT WORK HERE%-TONIGHT.
%-MAKING SURE OUR WORKFORCE IS
%-PREPARED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF A
%-21ST-CENTURY ECONOMY IS A TOP
%-PRIORITY FOR ME.
%-AND MY ADMINISTRATION IS GOING
%-TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE.
%-IT'S WHY, TONIGHT, I'M DECLARING
%-2024 THE YEAR OF THE WORKER IN
%-WISCONSIN.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-COMOWN
!!
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-WE ARE WORKING IN EARNEST TO
%-REDUCE BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT SO
%-WE CAN TRY TO MAKE SURE EVERY
%-AVAILABLE WORKER CAN JOIN OUR%-WORKFORCE.
%-I DIRECTED OVER $150 MILLION TO
%-FIND INNOVATIVE, LONG-TERM
%-SOLUTIONS TO OUR WORKFORCE
%-CHALLENGES, SUBSIDIZE EMPLOYMENT
%-AND SKILLS TRAINING WITH LOCAL
%-EMPLOYERS, AND SUPPORT
%-WISCONSINITES WORKING TO
%-RE-ENGAGE IN OUR WORKFORCE.
%-BECAUSE OF THAT INVESTMENT,
%-WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DELIVER
%-WORKFORCE TRAINING AND SUPPORT
%-SERVICES TO MORE THAN 33,000
%-WISCONSINITES ACROSS OUR STATE.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-I
JOINED WITH
THE
WISCONSIN
%-LABORERS
ABOUT A YEAR AGO
TO
%-ANNOUNCE WISCONSIN HAD THE
%-HIGHEST
PARTICIPATION RATE
IN
%-OUR
REGISTERED
APPRENTICESHIP%-PROGRAM
IN TWO
DECADES.
%-IN
NOVEMBER,
I
CELEBRATED
%-NATIONAL
APPRENTICESHIP WEEK
AND
%-ANNOUNCED WISCONSIN HAD
REACHED
%-AN
ALL-TIME
RECORD-HIGH NUMBER
%-OF
PARTICIPANTS IN
THE
%-REGISTERED
APPRENTICESHIP
%-PROGRAM'S
112-YEAR
HISTORY.
%-HOW
ABOUT
THAT?
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-THERE ARE ALSO HIGH-NEED AREAS
%-OF OUR WORKFORCE WE NEED TO
%-BOLSTER AND SUPPORT.
%-ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
%-WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, WISCONSIN
%-FACES A POTENTIAL DEFICIT OF
%-20,000 NURSES BY 2040.
%-BETWEEN 2020 AND 2030,
%-WISCONSIN'S HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY
%-WILL SEE NEARLY 32,000 ANNUAL
%-OPENINGS ACROSS OCCUPATIONS.
%-SO, LAST YEAR, MY ADMINISTRATION
%-LAUNCHED ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S
%-FIRST-EVER REGISTERED NURSE
%-APPRENTICESHIP PATHWAYS TO HELP
%-ADDRESS
THE
DEMAND
FOR WORKERS
%-AND WE
LAUNCHED
A
NEW
INITIATIVE%-TO
TRAIN
OVER 10,000 CERTIFIED
%-DIRECT
CARE
PROFESSIONALS
TO%-ADDRESS OUR
STATE'S SHORTAGE
OF
%-CAREGIVERS.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-BUT THERE'S MORE WE HAVE TO DO
%-TO ADDRESS OUR HEALTHCARE
%-INDUSTRY'S CHRONIC CHALLENGES.
%-NEXT WEEK, I'LL SIGN AN
%-EXECUTIVE ORDER CREATING A NEW
%-HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE TASK FORCE
%-FOCUSED ON FINDING LONG-TERM
%-SOLUTIONS TO OUR STATE'S
%-HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY
AND
MAKE
%-RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ME TO
%-CONSIDER
IN MY
NEXT
BIENNIAL
%-BUDGET.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-WE ALSO KNOW WE MUST WORK TO
%-RETAIN TALENTED EDUCATORSWHO%-WORK EVERY DAY TO DO WHAT'S BEST%-FOR OUR KIDS.
%-RECENT ESTIMATES SHOW ONLY 67
%-PERCENT OF NEW EDUCATORS IN
%-WISCONSIN MAKE IT PAST FIVE
%-YEARS.
%-SO, THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF
%-WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, OUR
%-ADMINISTRATION IS LAUNCHING A
%-NEW TEACHER APPRENTICESHIP PILOT
%-PROGRAM WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF
%-PUBLIC INSTRUCTION TO PROVIDE
%-MORE MENTORSHIP AND SUPPORT FOR
%-NEW EDUCATORS.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-AND
FINALLY,
AS ONE OF THE
%-LARGEST
EMPLOYERS OF THE STATE,
%-MY ADMINISTRATION IS ALSO
GOING%-TO MAKE
SURE
THE STATE OF%-WISCONSIN IS
LEADING THE
WAY
BY
%-EXAMPLE WITH
NEW
EFFORTS
TO
%-RECRUIT
AND
RETAIN
TALENTED
%-WORKERS IN
OUR
STATE
WORKFORCE.
%-I'M
ALSO
ANNOUNCING TONIGHT
I'M
%-CREATING A
NEW OFFICE
OF
STATE
%-EMPLOYEE
ENGAGEMENT
AND
%-RETENTION
TO
IMPROVE
RETENTION,
%-MENTORSHIP
AND
ENGAGEMENT
OF
OUR
%-STATE
WORKERS
ACROSS
ALL
OF
OUR
%-STATE
AGENCIES.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%-WISCONSIN, WE'VE PROVEN THIS
%-PAST YEAR THAT WE CAN DO BIG
%-THINGS, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE'RE
%-WILLING TO DO THEM TOGETHER.
%-I KNOW
WE
CAN
BUILD
UPON THESE
%-EFFORTS
IN
2024,
AND
TOGETHER,
%-WE
WILL.
%-LET'S
GET BACK
AT
IT,
LET'S
GET
%-TO WORK.
%-THANK
YOU, AND
ON,
WISCONSIN!
%-BAND
BAND, TAKE
!!!
!
UW
MARCHING
BAND,
TAKE
IT
AWAY!
%-♪
%-[APPLAUSE]
%->>
THE
UW
MARCHING
BAND,
%-GOVERNOR TONY EVERS
CONCLUDES
%-HIS SIXTH STATE OF THE
STATE
%-ADDRESS BEFORE
THE
WISCONSIN%-ASSEMBLY AND
SENATE.%->> AND
SENATE
MAJORITY
LEADER%-DEVIN LEMAHIEU IS MAKING
HIS
WAY
%-BACK HERE
AS
WE
SPEAK, HE'LL BE
%-DELIVERING TONIGHT'S
REPUBLICAN%-RESPONSE.
%-GLL
THE ONE
THING
THAT
OBVIOUSLY
%-STOOD
OUT ABOUT
THE
GOVERNOR'S
%-ADDRESS
TONIGHT WAS
THAT HE
%-DECLARED 2024
THE
YEAR OF
THE
%-WORKER
IN
WISCONSIN.
%-AND HE WAS
REALLY QUITE
POINTED.
%-HE
SPOKE
ABOUT
THIS BEING
THE%-MOST
PRESSING
ISSUE
IN
OUR
%-STATE,
HAVING TO
DO
WITH
WHAT HE
%-CALLS A
CHILD CARE
CRISIS,
%-CALLING
FOR
EXPANDED
FAMILY
%-LEAVE,
INVESTMENTS
IN
PUBLIC
%-EDUCATION,
HEALTHCARE
WORKFORCE.
%-THIS IS
WHAT
HE
FOCUSED
ON
%-TONIGHT, BUT
HE
ALSO
TOOK SOME
%-TRUCK
!!
TRUCKLOADS TO
REPUBLICANS.%->> I WOULD
SAY
IN
TERMS
OF
%-STYLE,
HE'S
NOT
LIKE
A
BIG
%-BOOMING TYPE
OF
GOVERNOR,
RIGHT?
%-BUT IF YOU LOOK AT
WHAT HE
WAS
%-SAYING
THERE
TONIGHT TO
%-REPUBLICANS SPECIFICALLY, THERE%-WERE
SOME
PRETTY SHARP
DETAILED%-THREATS.
%-HE ALSO KIND
OF MADE
REFERENCE
%-TO
HIS
GUBERNATORIAL
OPPONENT IN
%-THE 2022
ELECTION, HE
SAID,
HEY,
%-HE'S NOT
STANDING
HERE
RIGHT
%-NOW,
REFERENCING THE ISSUE
OF
%-ABORTION
RIGHTS.
%-YOU DON'T HEAR
THAT
FROM
%-GOVERNORS
VERY
OFTEN, AN
%-OPPONENT FROM A
COUPLE YEARS
%-AGO.
%-THOSE,
I
THINK,
YOU'D
CALL
THOSE%-FIGHTING WORDS A LITTLE
BIT FROM
%-THE
GOVERNOR, AS
YOU
ALSO
TALKED
%-ABOUT,
AN A
LOT
OF
THESE
ISSUES,
%-THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH HE
CAN
DO
%-UNILATERALLY WITHIN
HIS%-ADMINISTRATION.%-HE TALKED ABOUT
SOME
OF
THAT
%-FEDERAL MONEY TO
CONTINUE
A
%-CHILD
CARE
SUBS
TEE THAT'S
!!!
--
SUBSIDY
%-THAT'S GOING
AWAY
BUT
HE'LL
NEED
%-SUPPORT FROM THE
LEGISLATURE ON
%-THAT IN THE LONG
RUN.%->>
HE
ALSO
SPOKE
CLEARLY AND
%-OBVIOUSLY TO
THINGS
LIKE
NEW
%-VOTING MAPS AND
THE
IMPORTANCE
%-OF
THOSE,
AND
HE
SPOKE
TO
%-ABORTION
RIGHTS
FOR WOMEN
IN
%-WISCONSIN, EVEN
MENTIONING THE
%-FACT THAT
THE
REPUBLICAN
%-LEGISLATURE HAS
TAKEN
UP
A
BILL
%-THAT WOULD
BAN
ABORTION WITH
NO
%-EXCEPTIONS
AND HE
SAID
HE
WILL
%-VETO
THIS
AS
TO
HIS
THREATS
OF
%-VETOES.%->>
THE
MAPS THING
IS
PRETTY
%-SIGNIFICANT.
%-HOW
THAT
RESOLVES
ITSELF
WILL
BE
%-VERY BIG
FOR
THE
BALANCE
OF%-GOVERNMENT AND
WHO'S
IN THAT
%-ROOM FOR
THE
NEXT STATE OF THE
%-STATE
ADDRESS,
BECAUSE
RIGHT
NOW
%-THE
STATE SUPREME COURT HAS A
%-BUNCH OF
MAP
PROPOSALS BEFORE
%-IT.
%-THEY
GENERALLY
MAKE
THE
%-REPUBLICAN
MAJORITY --
OR
%-PROJECTED TO MAKE THE
REPUBLICAN
%-MAJORITIES
SMALLER,
AND
YOU
%-WOULDN'T
HAVE
WHAT
WE'VE KIND OF
%-GOTTEN USED
TO
IN
STATE
%-GOVERNMENT
VERY
LOPSIDED
%-REPUBLICAN
MAJORITIES IN
THE
%-ASSEMBLY AND THE SENATE.
%-YOU
KNOW,
THAT
AFFECTS THE WAY
%-THINGS
WORK
AROUND
HERE,
IT
%-AFFECTS, YOU
KNOW,
HOW
%-NEGOTIATIONS
DO.
%-BOTH
PARTIES BEHAVE
DIFFERENTLY%-WHEN YOU
HAVE
LOPSIDED
%-MAJORITIES OR
CLOSE
MAJORITIES.
%-SO IT'S
A
BIG
DEAL.
%-AND
THAT'S
LARGELY IN
THE
%-COURT'S HAND RIGHT NOW.
%-ALTHOUGH THE
LEGISLATURE MAY
GET
%-MORE
INVOLVED,
THE
SENATE
DID
%-PASS ITS
VERSION OF
A
MAP TODAY.
%-I THINK ALL
WE
CAN
SAY
IS, WE'LL
%-SEE ON
THAT
STUFF.%->>
THAT'S
A
SUPER
INTERESTING
%-THING THAT
THE
SENATE
CAME
OUT
%-WITH
A
NEW
MAP
PROPOSAL.
%-IT
APPARENTLY GOES
TO
THE
%-ASSEMBLY NOW,
AND
MEANWHILE,
THE%-SUPREME
COURT
IS
NOW
CONSIDERING
%-THESE OTHER
SUBMISSIONS
OF
MAPS,
%-AND SO
AGAIN,
WE'LL
SEE
WHAT
%-HAPPENS THERE.
%-IT
DOESN'T
SEEM
LIKELY THAT
THE
%-GOVERNOR WOULD
BE
HOLDING
HANDS
%-WITH THE
REPUBLICAN
LEGISLATURE
%-ON THEIR
LATEST
KIND
OF
%-SUBMISSION
OF
A
VOTING
MAP.%->>
AND HE
I
THINK
ALLUDED TO
%-THAT AS MUCH.
%-IT
DOES
NOT
SEEM LIKE
ALTHOUGH
%-THEY DID
BASE
THEIR
LATEST
PLAN,
%-AT
LEAST AS A
STARTING POINT,%-THEY
USED
A MAP THAT
HE HAD
%-SUBMITTED
TO THE
COURT, BUT
THEY
%-MADE CHANGES AND WE DON'T
REALLY
%-HAVE
A
PARTISAN
BREAKDOWN
OF
%-THOSE CHANGES YET SO IT'S KIND
%-OF
HARD TO
COMMENT
ON
IT
IN
%-COMPARISON TO THE
OTHER MAPS
%-THAT ARE
OUT
THERE AT
THE
%-MOMENT.
%->>
SO
WE
ARE
AGAIN
AWAITING
%-MAJORITY
LEADER DEVIN
LEMAHIEU%-FROM
THE
STATE
SENATE
TO PROVIDE
%-THE
REPUBLICAN
RESPONSE, AND
WE
%-DO
BELIEVE
THAT
HE IS
IN
PLACE.
%->>
MAJORITY
LEADER DEVIN%-LEMAHIEU
REPRESENTS
DISTRICTS
%-FROM OOSTBURG AND
HE
HAS
THE
%-REPUBLICAN RESPONSE.
%-ACTUALLY WE CAN
KEEP GOING
HERE
%-FOR JUST
A
MOMENT.%->>
WHILE
WE
GET
THE
SENATOR --%->> THERE
WE
GO.%->> ALL
RIGHT,
SENATOR.
%-GO
AHEAD.
%->> GOOD
EVENING.
%-TODAY, GOVERNOR EVERS
%-HIGHLIGHTED A VISION FOR THE
%-STATE THAT
DOES
NOT ALIGN WITH
%-THE
REALITY OF THE
STATE'S
%-FINANCIAL PICTURE.
%-STATE SPENDING IS AT AN ALL-TIME%-HIGH.
%-OVER THIS TWO-YEAR BUDGET CYCLE
%-WISCONSIN'S STATE GOVERNMENT
%-WILL SPEND ALMOST $44,000 PER
%-INCOME TAXPAYER.
%-OUR K-12 SCHOOLS ARE ENJOYING
%-THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF FUNDING IN
%-HISTORY.
%-LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND THE SCHOOL
%-CHOICE PROGRAM HAVE RECENTLY
%-GOTTEN THEIR LARGEST INCREASE IN%-STATE SUPPORT EER.
%-THE STATE BUDGET INCLUDED OVER
%-$3 BILLION OF INVESTMENT IN
%-HEALTHCARE SERVICES.
%-INCLUDING INCREASES FOR NURSING
%-HOMES, HOSPITALS, AND MENTAL%-HEALTHCARE.
%-WE HEARD FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS
%-ABOUT THE STATE OF WISCONSIN'S
%-INFRASTRUCTURE, SO WE INVESTED
%-$360 MILLION IN LOCAL ROADS AND
%-BRIDGES AS PART OF A $1.5
%-BILLION TRANSPORTATION BUDGET.
%-AND WE USED ONE TIME SURPLUS
%-MONEY TO PAY CASH FOR MAJOR
%-PROJECTS TO AVOID COSTLY
%-BORROWING.
%-WORKFORCE HOUSING IS A RECURRING
%-ISSUE FOR WISCONSIN'S
%-MIDDLE-CLASS; SO WE INVESTED
%-$525 MILLION IN REVOLVING LOAN
%-FUNDS TO REHABILITATE
%-WISCONSIN'S AGING HOUSING STOCK,
%-REVITALIZE MAIN STREETS, AND
%-INCENTIVIZE THE CREATION OF NEW
%-WORKFORCE HOUSING.
%-REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS WORKED
%-TOGETHER TO KEEP THE MILWAUKEE
%-BREWERS IN WISCONSIN FOR ANOTHER
%-GENERATION OF BASEBALL FANS.
%-WISCONSIN'S PRIORITIES ARE FULLY
%-FUNDED, AND YET THE STATE IS
%-PROJECTED STILL TO
HAVE
A%-$4 BILLION SURPLUS.
%-THAT
SURPLUS
SHOULD NOT
BE
SPENT
%-TO FURTHER GROW
THE SIZE OF
%-GOVERNMENT, AS
THE
GOVERNOR
%-SUGGESTS, RATHER --
OR CREATE
%-NEW
ENTITLEMENT
PROGRAMS OR
EVEN
%-SIT IN
A
BANK
ACCOUNT
IN
MADISON
%-EARNING INTEREST.
%-THE
SURPLUS
SHOULD BE
RETURNED
%-TO THE
HARD
WORKING
TAXPAYERS
%-WHO HAVE GIVEN
THE
STATE
%-GOVERNMENT MORE OF
THEIR
MONEY
%-THAN
IS
NECESSARY.
%-THE LEGISLATURE RELEASED A PLAN%-TODAY THAT WOULD CUT TAXES FOR%-THE MIDDLE CLASS, EXEMPT
%-RETIREMENT INCOME FROM STATE
%-INCOME
TAXES, IT
WOULD
INCREASE
%-THE
MARRIED
COUPLE
CREDIT
AND
%-INCREASE THE
CHILD
CARE
AND
%-DEPENDENT CARE TAX
CREDIT.
%-SINCE HE'S BEEN RE-ELECTED,%-GOVERNOR EVERS HAS CONSISTENTLY%-REBUKED THE LEGISLATURE'S%-ATTEMPTS TO CUT TA
XES FOR THE%-MIDDLE-CLASS.
%-DURING BUDGET DELIBERATIONS,
%-GOVERNOR EVERS USED HIS VETO PEN
%-TO UNILATERALLY INCREASE TAXES
%-ON WISCONSINITES MAKING $28,000
%-OR MORE.
%-THAT HIGHLIGHTS THE CORE PROBLEM
%-WITH THE GOVERNOR'S
%-ADMINISTRATION -- HE
%-CONSISTENTLY SAYS ONE THING AND
%-THEN DOES ANOTHER.
%-AFTER HIS CAMPAIGN PROMISE TO%-CUT TAXES ON THE MIDDLE CLASS,
%-GOVERNOR EVERS UNILATERALLY
%-RAISED THEM.
%-THE GOVERNOR CAMPAIGNS AS A
%-COMMON-SENSE
LEADER OF
OUR
STATE
%-BUT
THEN
GOVERNS AS
A
PARTISAN
%-LEADER OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY
OF
%-WISCONSIN.
%-DEMOCRATS
SEE
STATE
SURPLUSES
AS
%-AN
OPPORTUNITY TO
GROW
%-GOVERNMENT ENTITLEMENT ON THE
%-BACKS OF HARD
WORKING
TAXPAYERS.
%-LEGISLATIVE REPUBLICANS
HAVE
A
%-DIFFERENT VERSION.
%-WE STAND
FOR LIMITED
GOVERNMENT,%-LOW
TAXES,
SAFE
COMMUNITIES, AND%-A STRONG
ECONOMY.
%-A STRONG SURPLUS IS AN%-OPPORTUNITY TO ADVANCE THOSE%-GOALS.
%-THIS SPRING, THE STATE
%-LEGISLATURE WILL CONTINUE TO
%-COMPROMISE WHERE WE
CAN,
BUT
WE
%-WON'T COMPROMISE
THE
PRINCIPLES%-THAT WISCONSIN
VOTERS SENT
US%-HERE TO
UPHOLD.
%-WE
ARE
WORKING ON BEHALF OF YOU
%-AND YOUR
FAMILY,
AND YOU
CAN
BE
%-CONFIDENT
THAT
WITH
PRINCIPLED
%-LEADERSHIP,
WISCONSIN'S BEST
%-DAYS REMAIN
AHEAD.
%->>
THAT WAS
SENATE
MAJORITY%-LEADER DEVIN LEMAHIEU WITH THE
%-REPUBLICAN RESPONSE.%->>
IF
YOU
WOULD
LIKE
TO
%-WATCH
TONIGHT'S
SPEECH
FROM
%-GOVERNOR TONY EVERS OR SENATE
%-MAJORITY LEADER DEVIN LEMAHIEU%-AGAIN, WE WILL HAVE IT
POSTED
%-LATER THIS
EVENING ON OUR
%-WEBSITE
AT PBS
WISCONSIN.ORG.
%-WE'LL ALSO HAVE
CONTINUING
%-COVERAGE
AND REACTION
TO
THE%-STATE OF THE
STATE
ADDRESS
THIS
%-FRIDAY
EVENING
AT
7:30 ON "HERE%-AND
NOW."
%->>
AND
WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO
%-WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO
FOLLOW
%-DEVELOPMENTS FROM THE
STATE
%-CAPITOL ON THE
AIR
AND
ONLINE AT
%-WPR.ORG.
%-WANT TO THANK YOU FOR
JOINING US
%-FOR
THIS
EVENING FROM
THE
STATE
%-CAPITOL
IN
MADISON.
%-I'M SHAWN JOHNSON
WITH
WISCONSIN%-PUBLIC RADIO.%->>
AND
I'M FREDERICA
FREYBERG
%-FROM PBS WISCONSIN.
%-THIS
CONCLUDES
OUR
COVERAGE OF
%-THE
WISCONSIN 2024 STATE OF THE
%-STATE ADDRESS.
%-THANKS FOR
WATCHING.