>> 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]
>> 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 SOMERSAULT.
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, TAKEUW 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
TRUCKTRUCKLOADS 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 TAXES 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 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.