NOTE *
*
>> WELCOME TO WISCONSIN PUBLIC
BROADCASTING LIVE COVERAGE OF
THE 2019 WISCONSIN STATE BUDGET
ADDRESS, FROM THE CAPITOL IN
MADISON.
>> IN A FEW MOMENTS, GOVERNOR
TONY EVERS WILL MAKE HIS WAY
INTO THE ASSEMBLY CHAMBERS AND
ADDRESS THE FULL LEGISLATURE,
CABINET AND PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN.
>> GOOD EVENING.
I'M ZAC SCHULTZ FROM WISCONSIN
PUBLIC TELEVISION.
>> I'M SHAWN JOHNSON FROM
WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO.
WE ARE HE ' ABOUT TO HEAR TONY
EVERS'S FIRST BUDGET ADDRESS.
>> NOW, WE EXPECT THE GOVERNOR
TO SET THE STAGE FOR HIS BUDGET
PROPOSALS BY PLAYING AN
INDIVIDUAL FROM HIS BUDGET TOUR
WITH MANDELA BARNES AND WE'RE
EXPECTING THE GOVERNOR TO BE
ABLE TO ENTER THE CHAMBER
QUICKLY.
I BELIEVE HERE WE HAVE THE
INTRO.
>> THE HONORABLE TONY EVERS!
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> ASSEMBLY SERGEANT AT ARMS
INTRODUCING GOVERNOR TONY EVERS
WHO IS NOW MAKING HIS WAY INTO
THE ASSEMBLY CHAMBERS.
JOINED BY LAWMAKERS FROM BOTH
PARTIES AS HE GOES RIGHT DOWN
THE MIDDLE OF THE ASSEMBLY
CHAMBER SHAKING HANDS ON BOTH
SIDES THERE.
YOU'RE GOING TO SEE ONE OF THE
SIDES OF THE AISLE APPLAUDING A
LOT MORE THAN THE OTHER TONIGHT.
THERE'S A LOT IN HERE THAT
DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO HAPPY
ABOUT AND A LOT THE REPUBLICANS
HAVE ALREADY SAID THEY DON'T
LIKE.
THEY'RE GOING TO FIND OUT MORE
TONIGHT THEY'RE SKITTISH ABOUT.
>> WE SHOULD EXPECT TONY EVERS
TO START HIS SPEECH TRYING TO
REACH TO THAT OTHER SIDE OF THE
AISLE AND PLAY TO THE MIDDLE,
TRYING TO FIND THINGS THAT THEY
HAVE IN COMMON AS HE HAS
MAINTAINED SINCE HIS
INAUGURATION.
ONE OF THE BIG NUMBERS IS GOING
TO BE ABOUT TRANSPORTATION, HOW
MUCH MONEY IS HE GOING TO WANT
AND WHERE IS IT GOING TO COME
FROM.
>> WE HEARD THAT HE WAS OPEN TO
ALL OPTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO
FUNDING TRANSPORTATION, KIND OF
LEFT PEOPLE GUESSING A LITTLE
BIT.
SINCE HE BECAME GOVERNOR HE'S
BEEN SAYING THE SAME THINGS.
HE'S OPEN TO SOMETHING, HASN'T
QUITE SAID WHAT.
HE IS GOING TO CALL FOR NEW
REVENUE FOR TRANSPORTATION, A
STEP THE STATE HASN'T TAKEN
SINCE ABOUT 2016.
THE QUESTION NOW IS WHETHER HE'S
GOT THE VOTES IN THIS
LEGISLATURE TO PASS IT, A
LEGISLATURE THAT'S STILL
DOMINATED BY REPUBLICANS.
>> AND REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN
CALLING -- SOME OF THESE IDEAS
CAME OUT OF A REPUBLICAN STUDY
GROOGROUP.
HOWEVER THEY NEVER TRIED TO PUT
THEM INTO LAW.
THEY LOOKED AT THE IDEAS, BUT
NEVER PUT IN A GAS TAX, ANY
INCREASED VEHICLE FEES IN SOME
PLACES.
SO WE'LL HEAR HIM ADDRESS AS
HE'S SHAKING HANDS RIGHT NOW
WITH THE OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL
OFFICERS AND ABOUT TO REACH THE
PODIUM.
SHAKING HANDS WITH THE OTHER
CONSTITUTIONAL MEMBERS.
>> REPUBLICAN LEADERS OF THE
LEGISLATURE WILL BE SITTING
BEHIND THE GOVERNOR TONIGHT.
YOU MIGHT WATCH THEIR REACTION
TO THE SPEECH, WILL GIVE US
CLUES TO WHAT THEY'RE THINKING
ABOUT.
>> AND HERE'S GOVERNOR EVERS.
>> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
>> AT THIS TIME, IT IS MY HONOR
TO INTRODUCE THE GOVERNOR OF THE
GREAT STATE OF WISCONSIN, THE
HONORABLE TONY EVERS.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] ON
>> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU.
>> AND THE GOOD NEWS IS I HIT
THE SPEAKER BUTTON THIS TIME.
GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY.
HONORABLE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE,
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING
HERE.
TRIBAL NATION LEADERS,
CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, MAJOR
DUNBAR AND MEMBERS OF THE
WISCONSIN NATIONAL GUARD, AS
WELL AS ACTIVE AND RESERVE
MEMBERS OF OUR ARMED FORCES,
CABINET MEMBERS, SENATE
PRESIDENT ROTH, MAJORITY LEADER
FITZGERALD, MINORITY LEADER
SHILLING, SPEAKER V VOS AND MY
MINORITY LEADER HINTZ AND MOST
IMPORTANTLY THE PEOPLE OF
WISCONSIN AND THANK YOU FOR
BEING HERE THIS EVENING.
APPRECIATE THAT.
[APPLAUSE]
>> MY FAVORITE PICKLEBALL
PLAYER, KATHY, IS ALSO RIGHT UP
THERE IN THE GALLERY TONIGHT.
THANK YOU, KATHY, ALWAYS FOR
YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> BEFORE WE GET STARTED, I ALSO
WANT TO MENTION SOMEONE WHO'S
WITH US IN THE GALLERY TONIGHT.
ALL OF YOU KNOW I TALK A LOT
ABOUT CONNECTING THE DOTS.
WELL, KAREN IS AN OPERATOR FOR
THE MILWAUKEE COUNTY TRANSIT
SYSTEM.
SHE LITERALLY MAKES CONNECTIONS
EVERY DAY.
WHILE ON HER ROUTE ONE DAY,
KAREN NOTICED A BOY ALONE
FREEZING COLD.
SHE PULLED OVER TO MAKE SURE HE
WAS OKAY, BUT NOTICED THE BOY
WASN'T WEARING ANY SOCKS OR
SHOES.
SO KAREN BROUGHT THE BOY ONTO
HER BUS AND KEPT HIM SAFE AND
WARM WHILE SHE CALLED FOR HELP.
FOLKS LIKE KAREN EMBODY OUR
WISCONSIN VALUES, LIKE KINDNESS,
COMPASSION, EMPATHY AND RESPECT.
KAREN, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US
TONIGHT AND FOR YOUR EXCEPTIONAL
WORK.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> AFTER INTRODUCING YOU TO
KAREN, I'M HUMBLED TO INTRODUCE
MYSELF, BUT I'M TONY EVERS, AND
I'M INCREDIBLY PROUD TO BE HERE
AS THE 46TH GOVERNOR OF
WISCONSIN ANNOUNCING MY FIRST
BIENNIAL BUDGET FOR OUR STATE.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> YOU KNOW, I GUESS YOU MIGHT
SAY I'VE SPENT SOME TIME IN
EDUCATION, GIVE OR TAKE FOR A
HANDFUL OF YEARS, AND ONE OF THE
MOST IMPORTANT LESS LESSONS I TOOK
AWAY FROM MY TIME IN THE
CLASSROOM IS YOU LEARN MORE FROM
LISTENING THAN YOU EVER DO FROM
TALKING.
SO AFTER MANDELA AND I WERE
ELECTED, WE DECIDED TO WE WANTED
TO DO A LISTENING SESSION TOUR
ACROSS FROM WISCONSIN, HEAR
DIRECTLY FROM THE PEOPLE OF OUR
STATE ABOUT WHAT THEY WANTED TO
SEE IN THE BUDGET I'M ANNOUNCING
HERE TONIGHT.
BUT WE DIDN'T WANT TO SHOW UP
MONTHS LATER, BUDGET IN HAND AND
SAY SO WHAT DO YOU THINK?
WE SAID WE'D ALWAYS PUT PEOPLE
FIRST.
THAT'S WHY WE WANTED EVERYONE TO
BE PART OF FINDING THOSE
SOLUTIONS TOGETHER.
SO WHAT WE DID WHAT WE TURNED
THE STANDARD LISTENING SESSION
FORMULA ON ITS HEAD.
AND, BY GOLLY, THE DARNDEST
THING HAPPENED.
PEOPLE SHOWED UP FROM DIFFERENT
BACKGROUNDS AND DIFFERENT
COMMUNITIES.
THEY SAT.
THEY TALKED TO EACH OTHER.
AND THEY LISTENED TO EACH
OTHER'S PERSPECTIVES.
AND THEY HAD A DIALOGUE ABOUT
THE PROBLEMS OUR STATE IS FACING
AND THE BEST WAY TO FIX THEM.
AND THEY RANGED FROM REPUBLICANS
TO DEMOCRATS TO THE
DEMOCRATICALLY DISENFRANCHISED
TO THE POLITICALLY APATHETIC.
SOMETIMES THEY DISAGREED, BUT AM
AMICABLY, NEVER WITH RAISED
VOICES OR DISRESPECT.
I KNOW IN TODAY'S DAY AND AGE
WHAT I'M DESCRIBING MIGHT SOUND
LIKE AN UNICORN PHENOMENON OF
SORTS.
BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS WE MANAGED
TO CAPTURE PROOF OF IT ACTUALLY
HAPPENING AND I'D LIKE TO SHARE
THAT WITH YOU TONIGHT.
SO WE HAVE A VIDEO.
ROLL IT, LESTER.
[APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU.
>> NOW, I SHOWED THIS TO YOU
TONIGHT FOR A FEW REASONS.
THE FIRST, ALTHOUGH I SAID IT
TONGUE-IN-CHEEK, IS TO SHOW YOU
THAT PEOPLE REALLY CAN GET
ALONG.
WISCONSINITES CAN COME TO A ROOM
ARMED WITH DIFFERENT IDEAS, TO
LISTEN TO EACH OTHER AND
COMPROMISE ON SOLUTIONS.
THEN WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO
THAT RIGHT HERE IN THIS
BUILDING.
[APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU.
SECOND, I WANT EVERYBODY TO
UNDERSTAND HOW WE ARRIVED HERE.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, OUR
BUDGET IS ABOUT PUTTING PEOPLE
FIRST.
IT'S ABOUT CREATING A WISCONSIN
THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE,
WISCONSIN FOR US.
BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THIS IS NOT
THE TONY EVERS' BUDGET, IT'S NOT
THE DEMOCRATIC BUDGET, THE
SPEAKER'S BUDGET.
THIS IS THE PEOPLE'S BUDGET.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> AND IT'S ONE THAT WE CRAFTED
TOGETHER.
WE HEARD FROM PEOPLE LIKE MARY
ANN WHO LIVES IN COLEMAN IN
TIFFANY AND SENATOR MURSAU'S
DISTRICT AND NANCY.
BOTH CAME TO OUR LISTENING
SESSION AND TALKED TO US ABOUT
WATER QUALITY AND WATER
POLLUTION ISSUES ACROSS THIS
GREAT STATE.
BECAUSE OF PEOPLE LIKE MARY ANN
AND NANCY, WE'RE ANNOUNCING THAT
WE'RE MAKING SAFE DRINKING WATER
A TOP PRIORITY IN WISCONSIN.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> WE ARE AUTHORIZING NEARLY $70
MULTIMILLION IN BONDING TO ADDRESS
WATER QUALITY FROM REPLACING
LEAD LINES TO ADDRESSING WATER
CONTAMINATION ALL ACROSS THIS
STATE.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> NOW, I KNOW REPRESENTATIVE
SHANK LAND HAS BEEN WORKING
CLOSELY WITH US ON THIS ISSUE,
TOO.
THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE, AND
TO MARY ANN AND NANCY, WHO ARE
HERE WITH US IN THE GALLERY
TONIGHT FOR ADVOCATING FOR THIS
VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> WE ALSO HEARD FROM PEOPLE
LIKE TONY, WHO LIVES IN SENATOR
PETROWSKI AND REPRESENTATIVE
SNYDER'S DISTRICT IN WAUSAU.
TONY NOT ONLY HAS A GREAT FIRST
NAME, BUT HE ALSO CAME TO ONE OF
OUR LISTENING SESSIONS AND
TALKED ABOUT WHY WE NEED
DRIVER'S CARDS FOR IMMIGRANTS
AND PERSONS WHO ARE
UNDOCUMENTED, ESPECIALLY IN
COMMUNITIES WHERE THERE'S
LIMITED ACCESS TO PUBLIC
TRANSPORTATION.
BECAUSE OF PEOPLE LIKE TONY,
WE'RE ANNOUNCING TONIGHT THAT
UNDOCUMENTED FOLKS WILL BE
ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE DRIVER
LICENSE AND ID CARDS.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> THIS MAKES OUR ROADS AND OUR
COMMUNITIES SAFER AND HELPS
STRENGTHEN OUR ECONOMY AND
WISCONSIN FAMILIES.
I KNOW REPRESENTATIVE SAMARRIPA
HAS WORKED ON THIS ISSUE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS
ISSUE.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> AND FINALLY, I SHARE THAT
TONIGHT SO THAT EVERYBODY
UNDERSTANDS WHAT'S AT STAKE IN
CHOOSING TO PLAY POLITICS WITH
THIS BUDGET.
WE HAVE TO BE BETTER.
WE HAVE TO BE A BETTER VERSION
OF DEMOCRACY THAN WE HAVE IN THE
PAST.
AT TIMES WE'VE SUCCUMBED TO
POLITICAL OUT-POSTURING AND
CLOUDED THE OPPORTUNITY FOR
COMPROMISE AND WE LET POWER BE
THE ENEMY OF THE GOOD.
SO TONIGHT I WANT TO BE CLEAR,
THIS CAN'T BE ONE OF THOSE
TIMES.
WE CANNOT AFFORD TO PLAY
POLITICS WITH THIS BUDGET.
FOLKS, THE STAKES ARE REALLY,
REALLY HIGH.
[APPLAUSE]
>> AS I TOLD YOU IN MY INAUGURAL
ADDRESS, I BELIEVE IN LEADING BY
EXAMPLE.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE GOING TO BEGIN
TONIGHT ON THE THINGS ABOUT
WHICH WE CAN ALL AGREE.
I SAID ALL ALONG THAT REFORMING
OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS
AN AREA WHERE I KNOW REPUBLICANS
AND DEMOCRATS CAN WORK TOGETHER.
SO EARLIER THIS WEEK, I
ANNOUNCED WE'RE GOING TO RETURN
KIDS WHO ARE 17 TO THE JUVENILE
JUSTICE SYSTEM.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> AND I'M INVESTING MORE THAN
$200 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL FUNDS
SO THAT WE CAN GET KIDS OUT OF
LINCOLN HILLS AND GET THEM
CLOSER TO HOME AS SOON AS WE
SAFELY AND RESPONSIBLY CAN.
[APPLAUSE]
>> I KNOW THERE'S BEEN
BIPARTISAN WORK ON THIS ISSUE IN
THE PAST.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR
WORK ON THIS ISSUE, AND I LOOK
FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER WITH
YOU IN THE DAYS AHEAD.
NOW, JUVENILE JUSTICE IS ONLY
ONE PART OF A LARGER PICTURE.
WE HAVE TO CONNECT THE DOTS IN
CRIMINAL JUSTICE BY TACKLING
THIS ISSUE HOLISTICALLY.
STARTING THE MOMENT SOMEONE
ENCOUNTERS THE JUSTICE SYSTEM TO
THE MOMENT THEY REJOIN OUR
COMMUNITIES, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT
EVERYTHING FROM ALTERNATIVES TO
INCARCERATION TO EQUITY IN
REPRESENTATION TO SUBSTANCE
ABUSE PREVENTION TO REENTRY
PROGRAMMING.
THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
STARTS IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
SO WE'RE ANNOUNCING TONIGHT THAT
WE'RE ALLOCATING $2 MILLION ON A
GRANT PROGRAM FOR COMMUNITY
POLICING THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT
OF JUSTICE IN TEN CITIES WITH
THE HIGHEST VIOLENT CRIME RATES
IN WISCONSIN.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE ALSO
NEED TO COME TO TERMS WITH THE
FACT THAT NONVIOLENT DRUG
ARRESTS ARE CONTRIBUTING TO
OVERCROWDING AND ECONOMIC
INEQUITY, INSTABILITY AND
INSECURITY IN OUR STATE.
THAT'S WHY I ANNOUNCED A FEW
WEEKS AGO THAT OUR BUDGET WILL
DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA
POSSESSION FOR 25 GRAMS OR LESS.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> AND WE ALSO HAVE TO ENSURE
THAT ONCE SOMEONE ENCOUNTERS OUR
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, THAT
THEY'RE RECEIVING ADEQUATE, FAIR
AND VIGOROUS REPRESENTATION.
SO WE'RE INCREASING THE PRIVATE
BAR REIMBURSEMENT RATE TO $70 AN
HOUR AND WE'RE PROVIDING MORE
THAN 25 ADDITIONAL ASSISTANT
DISTRICT ATTORNEYS ACROSS OUR
STATE.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> UNDER OUR PLAN, ADA POSITIONS
WILL BE THE HIGHEST THEY'VE BEEN
SINCE 2011.
THAT WILL ALLOW US TO MAKE SURE
THE JUSTICE SYSTEM IS EFFICIENT
AND WORKS FOR EVERYONE.
I KNOW THAT REPRESENTATIVE BORN
RECENTLY ADVOCATED FOR SIMILAR
INITIATIVES AND THAT THERE'S
BEEN A BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR
THIS ISSUE IN THE PAST.
I'M HOPEFUL THAT THESE WILL
RECEIVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN
OUR BUDGET.
[APPLAUSE]
>> ADDITIONALLY, WE NEED TO MAKE
SURE THAT WHILE FOLKS ARE
INCARCERATED, THEY HAVE THE
TOOLS TO BE SUCCESSFUL WHEN THEY
REENTER OUR COMMUNITIES.
SO WE'RE EXPANDING THE OPENING
AVENUES TO REENTRY PROGRAMS TO
ALL 72 COUNTING FOR INMATES WHO
HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND
ARE THE A RISK FOR REOFFENDING.
[APPLAUSE]
>> AND FINALLY, WE HAVE TO MAKE
SURE FOLKS APPLYING FOR JOBS
HAVE THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO
MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT.
SO WE'RE EXPANDING THE WINDOWS
TO WORK PROGRAM BY ALLOWING THE
PROGRAM TO BE IN ALL MINIMUM-
AND MEDIUM-SECURITY PRISONS AND
INSTITUTIONS AND THAT'S WHY
WE'RE ALSO ANNOUNCING TONIGHT
THAT WE'LL BE BANNING THE BOX
STATEWIDE.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> WE HAVE TO REDUCE EMPLOYMENT
BARRIERS AND EMPOWER THE FOLKS
REENTERING OUR COMMUNITIES WITH
WITH THE SKILLS AND SUPPORT THEY
NEED TO LIVE A BETTER LIFE.
I KNOW SENATOR TAYLOR HAS BEEN A
TIRELESS ADVOCATE ON THIS ISSUE
AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON
THIS.
[APPLAUSE]
>> BUT FIXING OUR CRIMINAL
JUSTICE SYSTEM IS NOT THE ONLY
AREA OF THIS BUDGET WHERE WE CAN
FIND COMMON GROUND.
LAST SESSION, SENATOR DARLING
AND MAJORITY LEADER STEINEKE
INTRODUCED AND RECEIVED
UNANIMOUS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR
LEGISLATION CREATING THE
INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON
HOMELESSNESS.
IT WAS CHAIRED BY FORMER
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR KLEEFISCH
AND ADDRESSED HOMELESSNESS IN
WISCONSIN.
I KNOW THAT REPUBLICANS RECENTLY
INTRODUCED LEGISLATION
SUPPORTING PORTIONS OF THE
COUNCIL'S IDEAS.
THIS IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT
WORK AND THAT'S WHY JUST THIS
LAST WEEK, I ANNOUNCED THAT I
WILL BE CHAIRING THE COUNCIL
MYSELF AND TONIGHT I'M PROUD TO
ANNOUNCE THAT WE'RE ACCEPTING
EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THE
COUNCIL'S RECOMMENDATIONS AND
INCLUDING THEM IN OUR BUDGET.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU.
>> HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING
INSECURITY AFFECTS KIDS IN THE
CLASSROOM, IT AFFECTS OUR
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND IT
AFFECTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN
OUR COMMUNITIES.
WE HAVE TO CONNECT THE DOTS TO
GET ON THIS ISSUE.
IT'S TIME TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT
THIS ISSUE IN WISCONSIN.
ANOTHER AREA WE CAN AGREE ON AND
WHERE WE HAVE TO CONNECT THE
DOTS IS EXPANDING ACCESS TO
BROADBAND.
>> YES!
[APPLAUSE]
>> MARY LIVES IN SENATOR WIRCH
AND REPRESENTATIVE NEUBAUER'S
DISTRICT IN RACINE AND CAME TO
ONE OF OUR LISTENING SESSIONS
LAST DECEMBER.
SHE'S SEEN HOW BUSINESSES AND
SCHOOLS ARE FALLING BEHIND
BECAUSE OF A LACK OF BROADBAND
AND THINKS THIS IS A HINDRANCE
TO ADVANCING ALL ENTRIES AND
TECHNOLOGIES.
MARY TOLD US NOT TO HAVE ACCESS
TO BROADBAND FLIES IN THE FACE
OF ECONOMIC DWOM.
-- DEVELOPMENT.
MARY IS WITH US HERE IN THE
GALLERY TONIGHT.
MARY, THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING
HERE.
MARY.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> FOLKS, MARY'S RIGHT.
LACK OF ACCESS TO RELIABLE
BROADBAND INTERNET SERVICE
AFFECTS FAMILIES AT HOMES, IT
AFFECTS OUR CLASSROOMS, OUR
HOSPITALS AND BUILDING A STRONG
ECONOMY.
I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN BIPARTISAN
SUPPORT ON THIS ISSUE IN THE
PAST, AND WE ABSOLUTELY NEED TO
DOUBLE DOWN ON THIS CRITICALLY
IMPORTANT ISSUE.
SO WE'RE SETTING A GOAL OF
ATTAINING 25 MEGABITS PER SECOND
DOWNLOAD AND THREE MEGABITS
UPLOAD FOR ALL WISCONSIN HOMES
AND BUSINESSES BY 2025.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> BUT WE'RE NOT JUST SETTING
GOALS.
WE'RE ALSO GOING TO MAKE SURE
THAT WE ACTUALLY HAVE THE MEANS
TO ACHIEVE THEM.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE MAKING HISTORIC
INVESTMENTS IN BROADBAND
EXPANSION GRANTS, INCREASING
TOTAL FUNDING TO MORE THAN $78
MILLION OVER THE BIENNIUM.
THAT'S MORE THAN FOUR TIMES WHAT
WAS INVESTED DURING THE LAST
STATE BUDGET.
AND WE'RE GOING TO BE TARGETING
THOSE GRANTS TO THE UNSERVED AND
UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES WHO NEED
THEM THE MOST.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> SO FROM BROADBAND TO
HOMELESSNESS TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE
REFORM, AMONG MANY OTHER THINGS
IN THIS BUDGET, THERE'S MUCH WE
CAN AGREE UPON.
I SAID ALL ALONG I'M WILLING TO
WORK ACROSS THE AISLE TO GET
THINGS DONE.
I'VE SAID ALL ALONG THAT THERE'S
MORE THAT UNITES US THAN DEVISED
US.
WE JUST HAVE TO CHOOSE TO PUT
PEOPLE BEFORE POLITICS.
WE HAVE TO DO WHAT'S BEST FOR
THE PEOPLE OF OUR STATE.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE HAVE AN
OBLIGATION TO LISTEN, TRULY
LISTEN TO WHAT THE PEOPLE OF
WISCONSIN NEED AND WHAT THEY'RE
ASKING OF US.
THAT STARTS WITH HEALTH CARE.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> I'VE SAID ALL ALONG WE NEED
TO EXPAND MEDICAID IN WISCONSIN.
AND ACCORDING TO A RECENT
MARQUETTE LAW POLL, 62% OF
WISCONSINITES AGREE.
82,000 MORE WISCONSINITES WILL
HAVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE,
QUALITY HEALTH CARE COVERAGE.
AND BECAUSE WE'RE ACCEPTING
THESE FEDERAL DOLLARS, WE HAVE
THE OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN
PROGRAMS AND IMPROVE HEALTH CARE
ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY ACROSS
OUR STATE.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> IT MEANS THAT WE CAN INVEST
IN PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS IN FANLT
MORTALITY AND TO ENCOURAGE
PREVENTIVE CARE, LIKE CANCER AND
SDI SCREENINGS.
[APPLAUSE]
>> IT MEANS WE'RE GOING TO PUT
OUR MONEY WHERE OUR MOUTHS ARE,
LITERALLY, TO ENSURE WISCONSIN
ISN'T AMONG THE WORST STATES IN
DENTAL CARE IN THE COUNTRY.
[APPLAUSE]
>> AND IT MEANS WE CAN EXPAND
ACCESS TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND
MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT,
INTERVENTION AND STABILIZATION,
ESPECIALLY IN OUR RURAL
COMMUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE
IN CRISIS.
[APPLAUSE]
>> SO ADDITIONALLY, THE PEOPLE
OF WISCONSIN HAVE ASKED US TO
FULLY FUND OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
>> YEAH!
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> THEY HAVE.
[APPLAUSE]
>> MORE THAN ONE MILLION
WISCONSINITES HAVE RAISED THEIR
OWN PROPERTY TAXES TO SUPPORT
THEIR LOCAL SCHOOLS IN THEIR
COMMUNITIES.
THIS IS SIMPLY NOT SUSTAINABLE.
I'VE SAID ALL ALONG THAT'S
WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR KIDS IS BEST
FOR OUR STATE.
INVESTING OUR KIDS WILL YIELD
DIVIDENDS FOR OUR FUTURE.
WE'RE GOING TO START WITH WITH
K-12 AND RETURNING TO TWO-THIRDS
FUNDING AT THE STATE LEVEL.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> IN THE PAST DECADE, WE'VE NOT
ONLY CUT PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING,
WE'VE FAILED TO FUND PROGRAMS
FOR SPECIAL NEEDS.
ERIN IS FROM ST. FRANCIS, IN
SENATOR LARSON AND
REPRESENTATIVE SINICKI'S
DISTRICT.
SHE TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THE
GAPS IN OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM AND
WHAT MORE SUPPORT AND
ATTENTIVENESS WOULD HAVE HELPED
SOMEONE LIKE HER WHEN SHE WAS
GROWING UP.
ERIN SAID SPECIAL EDUCATION IS
IMPORTANT TO ME BECAUSE
EDUCATION SOMETIMES STUDENTS
NEED EXTRA SUPPORT.
FOR SOME STUDENTS A LITTLE.
FOR SOME STUDENTS IT'S A LOT.
BUT IF WE DON'T HAVE THE
RESOURCES WE HE NEED TO ACCESS,
EVERYBODY LOSES IN THE END.
BECAUSE OF FOLKS LIKE ERIN WE'RE
MAKING SURE THAT KIDS LIKE MAC
AND ABBEY HAVE THE SUPPORT AND
RESOURCES THEY NEED TO BE
SUCCESSFUL.
OUR BUDGET INCLUDES AN
UNPRECEDENTED $600 MILLION
INCREASE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION
FUNDING.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO SQUEEZE
RESOURCES TO MAKE SURE EVERY KID
CAN BE SUCCESSFUL.
ERIN, MAC AND ABBEY ARE HERE
WITH US TONIGHT IN THE GALLERY.
THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE,
FOLKS.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> WE HAVE TO SUPPORT OUR KIDS
IN THE CLASSROOM AND WE ALSO
HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE
SUPPORTING EDUCATORS WHO TEACH
OUR KIDS, TOO.
WISCONSIN PAYS OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL
TEACHERS LESS THAN THE NATIONAL
AVERAGE, WHICH MAKES IT HARDER
TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN TALENTED
EDUCATORS.
WE NEED TO DO OUR PART TO MAKE
SURE OUR EDUCATORS KNOW THAT THE
WORK THEY DO IS VALUED AND THAT
SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS OUR
STATE USE THESE FUNDING
INCREASES TO DO EVERYTHING THEY
CAN TO KEEP OUR TALENTED
EDUCATORS HERE IN WISCONSIN.
[APPLAUSE]
>> AND WE'RE NOT JUST INVESTING
IN K THROUGH 12 EDUCATION.
WE'RE ALSO GOING TO GET BACK TO
THE BUSINESS OF FUNDING PUBLIC
EDUCATION AT EVERY LEVEL,
INCLUDING INVESTING IN HIGHER
EDUCATION.
WE ANNOUNCED --
[APPLAUSE]
>> WE ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT
WE'RE INCREASING FUNDING FOR OUR
TECHNICAL COLLEGES BY $18
MILLION OVER THE BIENNIUM AND
INVESTING MORE THAN $150 MILLION
IN OUR UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
SYSTEM.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> THAT MEANS WE'RE ABLE TO
FREEZE TUITION FOR UNDERGRADUATE
RESIDENTS IN WISCONSIN, BUT OUR
UNIVERSITIES SHOULDN'T HAVE TO
SACRIFICE AFFORDABLE OR QUALITY
EDUCATION.
SO WE'RE NOT JUST GOING TO
FREEZE TUITION.
WE'RE ALSO GOING TO FUND THAT
FREEZE.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> AND NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO
STRUGGLE PAYING THEIR BILLS
BECAUSE THEY PURSUED HIGHER
EDUCATION.
I'VE SAID ALL ALONG THAT FOLKS
SHOULD BE ABLE TO REFINANCE
THEIR LOANS JUST LIKE ANY
MORTGAGE.
THAT'S WHY I'M ALSO BRINGING
TOGETHER STATE TREASURER
GODLEWSKI, DFI SECRETARY DES
DESIGNEE BLUMENFELD TO CREATE A
WISCONSIN-BASED STRATEGY FOR
STUDENT LOAN DEBT REFINANCING.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> AND FINALLY, WE'RE GOING TO
MAKE SURE THAT REGARDLESS OF
WHETHER A KID IS BORN IN THIS
COUNTRY, IF THEY WENT TO
WISCONSIN HIGH SCHOOL AND HAD
LIVED HERE FOR THREE YEARS, THEY
SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY MORE
TUITION LIKE OUT-OF-STATE
STUDENTS.
THEY SHOULD BE TREATED LIKE ANY
OTHER KID FROM WISCONSIN.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> IN ADDITION TO FUNDING PUBLIC
SCHOOLS AT EVERY LEVEL, I
BELIEVE EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN
OUR DEMOCRACY.
PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO CHOOSE
THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS, NOT THE
OTHER WAY AROUND.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> SO EARLIER THIS WE WEEK, WE
ANNOUNCED A NONPARTISAN
REDISTRICTING COMMISSION.
AS IT TURNS OUT, THE PEOPLE OF
WISCONSIN AGREED.
ACCORDING TO A RECENT MARQUETTE
LAW POLL, 72% OF WISCONSINITES
WANT NONPARTISAN REDISTRICTING
IN WISCONSIN.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> AND THAT'S NOT JUST THESE
GUYS.
63% OF THE REPUBLICANS AND 76%
OF THE INDEPENDENTS SUPPORT
NONPARTISAN REDISTRICTING.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> I KNOW SENATOR HANSEN HAS
DONE EXTENSIVE WORK ON THIS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> NONPARTISAN REDISTRICTING IS
ONLY PART OF THE DEMOCRATIC
PROCESS AND PARTICIPATION.
SO WE'RE NOT ONLY INCLUDING
NONPARTISAN REDISTRICTING IN OUR
BUDGET.
WE'RE ALSO GOING TO DIRECT THE
ELECTIONS COMMISSION AND THE
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO
WORK TOGETHER ON IMPLEMENTING
AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> AND I KNOW REPRESENTATIVE
CROWLEY HAS BEEN WORKING ON THIS
ISSUE, SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> AND FINALLY, WE TURN TO
TRANSPORTATION.
I'VE SAID ALL ALONG THAT OUR
CURRENT APPROACH TO
TRANSPORTATION IS UNSUSTAINABLE.
FOR YEARS, WE'VE KICKED THE CAN
DOWN THE ROAD ON THIS ISSUE, AND
WE CAN'T AFFORD TO DO IT AGAIN.
ACCORDING TO A 2018 TRIP REPORT,
INDUSTRIES LIKE RETAIL STORES,
TOURISM, AGRICULTURE AND
MANUFACTURING BOLSTER ABOUT 1.4
MILLION FULL-TIME JOBS AND
DEPEND ON OUR ROADS AND HIGH
WAIST AND BRIDGES.
ABOUT 58480 BILLION IN GOODS ARE
SHIPPED ACROSS OUR STATE EACH
YEAR.
YET OUR ROADS RANK AMONG THE
WORST IN THE NATURE.
OUR INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEMS ARE
COSTING $6.8 BILLION ANNUALLY IN
HIGHER VEHICLE OPERATING COSTS,
ACCIDENTS AND TRAFFIC DELAYS.
THAT'S BAD FOR OUR ECONOMY.
IT'S BAD FOR OUR POCKETBOOKS.
IT'S TIME TO FIND A LONG-TERM
SOLUTION TO OUR TRANSPORTATION
CRISIS AND THAT'S WHAT I'M
PROPOSING TO DO HERE TONIGHT.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> I SAID WHEN WE RAN FOR
GOVERNOR, AND WHEN I RAN FOR
GOVERNOR, EXCUSE ME, THAT I'D
GET EVERYONE TO THE TABLE AND
FIND A SOLUTION THAT WORKS FOR
EVERYONE.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE DID.
AND THAT'S WHY TONIGHT I'M
PROPOSING THE LARGEST BIENNIAL
INVESTMENT IN TRANSPORTATION IN
WISCONSIN STATE HISTORY.
[APPLAUSE]
>> BUT THIS WON'T BE A ONE-TIME
FIX.
WE'RE GOING TO RAISE MORE THAN
$600 MILLION IN NEW REVENUES TO
FIX OUR ROADS, BRIDGES AND
HIGHWAYS AND MAKE SURE THAT OUR
TRANSPORTATION FUND IS
SUSTAINABLE FOR OUR FUTURE.
[APPLAUSE]
>> NOW, I WANT TO BE CLEAR.
EVERYONE'S GOING TO HAVE TO GIVE
A LITTLE TO MAKE THIS WORK.
THAT'S COMPROMISE.
THAT'S WHAT IT'S CALLED.
WE'RE ALL GOING TO HAVE TO SHARE
THE BURDEN SO IT'S FEASIBLE FOR
EVERYONE, AND TO MAKE SURE THAT
WE'RE NOT PASSING THE BUCK ON TO
THE NEXT GENERATION.
WE'RE GOING TO INCREASE FEES FOR
TITLES AND HEAVY TRUCKS AND WE
DO HAVE TO RAISE THE GAS TAX.
BUT WE'RE SURE AS HECK NOT GOING
TO RAISE THE GAS TAX BY A
DOLLAR.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> IT'S GOING TO BE LESS.
IT'S GOING TO BE LESS.
WE'RE GOING TO RAISE IT 8 CENTS
A GALLON, WELL BELOW WHAT THEY
DID OVER THE RIVER RAISING IT BY
20 CENTS IN MINNESOTA AND 18
CENTS IN OHIO.
BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS WE'RE ALSO
GOING TO REPEAL A HIDDEN TAX
THAT COSTS YOU 14 CENTS A GALLON
ON GAS.
THAT MEANS OUR PLAN ACTUALLY
MAKES POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO PAY
LESS AT THE PUMP THAN YOU DO
RIGHT NOW.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> BECAUSE OF ALL THIS, WE'RE
GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS DON'T HAVE TO RELY
ON THINGS LIKE WHEEL TAXES TO
MAKE ENDS MEET.
IS WE'RE GOING TO INCREASE
GENERAL TRANSIT AND
TRANSPORTATION AID TO COUNTIES
AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS BY 10% TO
REPAIR LOCAL ROADS AND BRIDGES,
THOSE AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS IN
WISCONSIN HISTORY.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> AND WE'RE GOING TO DO ALL
THIS WITHOUT HAVING TO RAID OUR
GENERAL FUNDS AND JEOPARDIZING
OTHER BUDGET PRIORITIES, LIKES
EXPANDING BROADBAND, LIKE FULLY
FUNDING OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND
REFORMING OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE
SYSTEM.
BECAUSE OUR LONG-TERM SOLUTION
ON THIS ISSUE, WISCONSIN HIGHWAY
BONDING IN OUR BUDGET IS THE
LOWEST IT'S BEEN IN OVER 20
YEARS.
IT'S TIME WE PAY OUR BILLS AND
STOP KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE
ROAD.
[APPLAUSE]
>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE
PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN EXPECT AND
DESERVE FOR US TO GET TO WORK ON
THESE PRESENT ISSUES.
FROM BROADBAND TO HEALTH CARE,
EDUCATION TO JUSTICE REFORM,
ROADS TO REDISTRICTING, THESE
ARE PRIORITIES OF THE PEOPLE OF
OUR STATE.
THEIR PLIGHT MUST BE OUR
PURPOSE, THEIR CRISES OUR CALL
AND THEIR DESIRES OUR DEMANDS.
YOU KNOW, I'VE HEARD SOME REMARK
THAT PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN CHOSE
DIVIDED GOVERNMENT THIS
NOVEMBER.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE CASE.
I THINK THE PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN
DIDN'T CHOOSE US TO BE DIVIDED.
THEY CHOSE US TO FIND IT WITHIN
OURSELVES TO BE UNITED, NOT IN
PARTY, BUT IN PROMISE, TO SERVE
OUR STATE AND TO DO WHAT'S BEST
FOR THE PEOPLE WHO SENT US HERE.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> FOLKS, LET'S GET TO WORK.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
AND ON WISCONSIN!
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
*
[TANGLED UP IN BLUE, UW-MADISON
A CAPPELLA GROUP SINGING "ON
WISCONSIN"]
>> GOVERNOR GOVERNOR TONY EVERS
CONCLUDING HIS FIRST BIENNIAL
BUDGET ADDRESS, BUT ALSO TALKING
ABOUT HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION AND
TAX CUTS.
THERE WILL BE A LOT TO DISCUSS
AND ANALYZE IN THE WEEKS AHEAD.
>> TONIGHT WE'RE JOINED BY JASON
STEIN FROM THE WISCONSIN POLICY
FORUM.
THANKS FOR BEING HERE.
>> PLEASURE TO BE HERE.
>> THERE'S A LOT TO DIGEST IN
ANY BUDGET THE FIRST DAY YOU GET
IT, BOTH IN THE SPEECH AND THE
BACKUP MATERIALS THAT THE
GOVERNOR HANDS OUT.
WHAT STRUCK YOU ABOUT WHAT YOU
HEARD FROM THE GOVERNOR TONIGHT?
>> IT'S AN HISTORIC DAY.
IT'S A RETURN OF THE DEMOCRATIC
GOVERNOR FOR THE FIRST TIME IN
EIGHT YEARS.
HE PROPOSED SOME CHANGES THAT
WOULD BE HISTORIC, BUT AT THE
SAME TIME MANY OF THEM ARE
NONSTARTERS WITH THE
LEGISLATURE.
SO WE'LL HAVE A LOT OF DEBATE TO
COME.
THIS IS JUST THE FIRST STEP.
>> SO WHAT ARE SOME OF THE
THINGS THAT ARE JUMPING OUT AT
YOU AS FAR AS PROPOSALS OR
NUMBERS THAT MAYBE WE HAVEN'T
HEARD ALREADY?
THE BIG ONE WE'VE BEEN WAITING
FOR WAS TRANSPORTATION.
WE HEARD ABOUT A GAS TAX.
WE KNOW THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME
FEE INCREASES.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
SO THIS IS A BUDGET THAT MAKES
BIG INVESTMENTS IN HEALTH CARE,
IN EDUCATION, IN UW, IN
CORRECTIONS.
AT THE SAME TIME, IN SPENDING
MORE THAN 5% EACH YEAR IN STATE
AND FEDERAL MONEY, IT'S ALSO
GOING TO SEE INCREASES IN TAXES.
SO IN THE AREA OF GAS TAX, IN
THE AREA OF CAPITAL GAINS AND
INCOME TAXES ON UPPER ENDED
INCOME TAX E EARNERS.
THERE WILL BE SOME TAX CUTS FOR
LOWER-INCOME EARNERS.
>> THE GOVERNOR HAD A CHANCE TO
SHINE A LIGHT ON STUFF HE WANTS
TO TALK ABOUT.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS HE
WANTS TO HIGHLIGHT TO PRESENT AS
HIS PEOPLE'S BUDGET, AS HE
REFERRED TO IT?
>> RIGHT.
OBVIOUSLY HE'S TALKING A RANGE
OF INVESTMENTS, RURAL BROADBAND
TO LEAD PIPE ABATEMENT.
HE'S TALKING ABOUT EDUCATION.
HE'S A FORMER STATE SCHOOL
SUPERINTENDENT.
UW.
HE'S TALKING ABOUT THOSE THINGS.
HE'S ALSO TALKING ABOUT
INVESTING IN TRANSPORTATION, A 8
CENTS INCREASE IN THE GAS TAX TO
DO IT, ALTHOUGH HE SAYS HE HAS A
PLAN TO HELP MITIGATE THAT FOR
DRIVERS.
>> THE BUDGET IS A POLITICAL
ANIMAL, MORE THAN JUST THE
NUMBERS BEHIND IT.
THE REPUBLICANS WILL CONTROL
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT IN THIS
BUILDING.
WE SAW GOVERNOR EVERS REFERENCE
POLLING NUMBERS AND STATEWIDE
SUPPORT AND EVEN CALLING OUT
CITIZENS FROM REPUBLICAN
DISTRICTS SAYING THEY SUPPORT
THESE IDEAS.
IS HE TRYING TO RALLY MORE
SUPPORT OUTSIDE THE BUILDING?
>> OBVIOUSLY.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE
DIVIDED GOVERNMENT IN WISCONSIN
IN EIGHT YEARS.
THIS IS A RETURN TO MINI
LAWMAKERS.
THE GOVERNOR HAS NOT HAD THIS
SITUATION OF DIVIDED GOVERNMENT
CONFRONT THEM.
OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS JUST THE
FIRST STAGE IN A DISCUSSION WITH
THE STATE, A DEBATE WITHIN THIS
BUILDING ABOUT WHAT THE ULTIMATE
OUTCOME IS GOING TO BE.
>> SO THERE'S SOME STUFF HE DID
MENTION TONIGHT THAT IS IN THE
BUDGET.
HE'S GOING TO REPEAL WISCONSIN'S
RIGHT TO WORK LAW IN THIS
BUDGET.
EVERYTHING HAS TO PASS THE
LEGISLATURE.
HE'S PROPOSING REPEALING RIGHT
TO WORK.
HE'S TALKING ABOUT INCREASING
THE MINIMUM WAGE.
THERE ARE A LOT OF TAX LAW
CHANGES IN THERE, STUFF THAT HE
DIDN'T TALK ABOUTTH.
ANYTHING THAT STRUCK YOU ON KIND
OF STUFF THAT HAS YET TO BE
VETTED IN THE PUBLIC AT THIS
POINT?
>> SURE.
WELL, OBVIOUSLY THERE'S A NUMBER
OF THINGS THAT ARE NONSTARTERS
WITH THE LEGISLATURE, AND SOME
OF THOSE WOULD INCLUDE AT LEAST
SOME OF THE INCREASES IN INCOME
AND CAPITAL GAINS TAXES AS WELL
AS ON MANUFACTURERS.
NOW, IT'S POSSIBLE THAT SOME
REVENUE INCREASE FOR
TRANSPORTATION MIGHT BE
ACHIEVABLE WITHIN THE BUDGET
PROCESS.
OTHER THINGS, LIKE AN EXPANSION
OF MEDICAID HEALTH CARE FOR THE
NEEDY USING FEDERAL MONEY, THE
REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN PRETTY
ADAMANT THAT THEY WOULDN'T
ACCEPT THAT.
IT'S AN OPEN QUESTION HOW WELL
THE TWO SIDES CAN WORK WITH EACH
OTHER GOING FORWARD.
>> PEOPLE LIKE TO LOOK AT WHO'S
APPLAUDING AND WHEN.
IT'S NATURAL ALL THE DEMOCRATS
WOULD BE APPLAUDING, REPUBLICANS
WILL SIT SILENT.
BUT ONE TIME I SAW REPUBLICAN
APPLAUSE WAS TALK ABOUT
INCREASING MONEY FOR ASSISTANT
PUBLIC DEFENDERS AND PRIVATE
LAWYERS TO HANDLE SOME OF THOSE
CASES.
THERE WERE A FEW ITEMS FOR BOTH
SIDES TO RALLY AROUND.
>> RIGHT.
I DO BELIEVE THE STATE FACES
LITIGATION ON THAT FRONT, ON THE
QUESTION OF SUPPORT AND
REPRESENTATION FOR THE INDIGENT.
THAT'S ONE ANOTHER WHERE I THINK
YOU'VE SEEN BOTH SIDES TALKING
ABOUT.
JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM, YOU'VE
SEEN BOTH SIDES TALKING ABOUT
IT.
SOME OF THE GOVERNOR'S
PROPOSALS, LIKE MOVING BACK THE
TIME TO TRANSITION IF ONE STATE
JJUVENILE JUSTICE FACILITY TO
ANOTHER HAVE HAD QUESTIONS
RAISED ON BOTH SIDES.
>> WHAT HAPPENS IF THE
REPUBLICANS DON'T GO ALONG WITH
THE EXPANSION OF MEDICAID AND
TAXES FOR MANUFACTURERS, IF, IF,
IF.
IF ALL THAT REVENUE DOESN'T END
UP BEING THERE IN THE BUDGET
THAT THEY PASS OUT OF THE
LEGISLATURE, WHAT'S THE FINAL
BUDGET GOING TO LOOK LIKE ONCE
IT GETS BACK TO THE GOVERNOR'S
DESK?
>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.
OBVIOUSLY, THE GOVERNOR HAS HAD
HIS DAY AND THE LEGISLATURE WILL
GET ITS DAY.
SO THEY'LL BE PUTTING SOMETHING
IN FRONT OF HIM.
AND THEY MAY BE ABLE TO DO THAT
IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME
AND THEN THE QUESTION WILL BE IS
IS IT SOMETHING HE CAN ACCEPT IF
HE PUTS HIS POWERFUL PARTIAL
VETO PEN TO WORK ON THAT BILL.
OR IS THERE A POSSIBILITY THAT
HE WOULDN'T ACCEPT IT.
THAT'S REALLY THE QUESTION WE
HAVE TO SEE ASKED AND ANSWERED
IN THE COMING MONTHS.
>> NOW, WE HAVEN'T SEEN DIVIDED
GOVERNMENT SINCE 2007, BUT WE
HAVEN'T SEEN THIS SETUP WITH A
DEMOCRAT AS A GOVERNOR AND
REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED
LEGISLATURE SINCE GOVERNOR
DOYLE'S FIRST TERM.
IN THOSE SITUATIONS WE SAW A
BUDGET COME OUT, GET COMPLETELY
REWRITTEN AND THEN DOYLE'S VETO
PEN CAME OUT.
WE'VE ALREADY SEEN GOVERNOR
EVERS' VETO PEN.
>> THAT WAS NOT SOMETHING WE SAW
UNDER GOVERNOR WALKER BECAUSE HE
HAD A REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED
LEGISLATURE THAT HE WAS ON MANY,
MANY ISSUES ABLE TO WORK PRETTY
CLOSELY WITH.
OBVIOUSLY, THE VETO PEN THAT
GOVERNOR EVERS HAS IS NOT AS
POWERFUL AS THE ONE THAT
GOVERNOR JIM DOYLE AND GOVERNOR
TOMMY THOMPSON HAD.
BUT IT STILL REMAINS QUITE
SIGNIFICANT AND HE HAS THE
ABILITY TO FOR APPROPRIATIONS
BILLS LIKE THE BUDGET TO LOWER
DOLLAR AMOUNTS, TO ZERO OUT
DOLLAR AMOUNTS, TO EVEN DELETE
INDIVIDUAL WORDS OR PHRASES TO
CHANGE THE MEANING OF SENTENCES.
SO HE ALSO HAS SOME TOOLS HE CAN
BRING TO BEAR.
>> SO WE HAD EIGHT YEARS OF
BUDGETS FROM GOVERNOR WALKER,
BEFORE THAT, THE LAST BUDGET
FROM GOVERNOR DOYLE WAS KIND OF
COLORED BY THE RECESSION.
IT'S A LONG WAY OF SAYING WE'VE
HAD ABOUT A DECADE NOW THAT A
LOT OF THESE THINGS THAT ARE
PROPOSED TONIGHT HAVE NOT
HAPPENED.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ITEMS IN
THE BUDGET THAT KIND OF STICK
OUT TO YOU AS THAT'S SOMETHING
WE HAVEN'T SEEN IN A WHILE?
>> SURE.
WELL, OBVIOUSLY WE'RE SEEING,
YOU KNOW, A SHIFT IN WHAT THE
PRIORITIES ARE WITHIN THE
ADMINISTRATION.
WE OBVIOUSLY ARE GOING TO SEE A
PRETTY SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN
SPENDING IN EACH IMR YEAR, ABOUT 5%
IN EACH YEAR.
THE ECONOMY IS DOING RELATIVELY
WELL, BUT THAT MAY NOT LAST.
SO THERE'S ALSO SOME SIGNIFICANT
COMMITMENTS THAT THE STATE WOULD
TAKE ON IF THIS BUDGET WERE TO
BE ADOPTED ANDED SO THEN
OBVIOUSLY ONE OF THE QUESTIONS
IS ARE THOSE COMMITMENTS
SUSTAINABLE FOR NOT JUST THE
NEXT TWO YEARS, BUT THE TWO
YEARS AFTER THAT AND SO ON.
>> BUT WE DID SEE SOME THINGS
THAT REPUBLICANS HAVE ALREADY
SAID ARE DEAD ON ARRIVAL.
WE SAW SPEAKER VOS SHAKE HIS
HEAD AT DECRIMINALIZING
MARIJUANA AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
IS THERE POLITICAL VALUE IN
BRINGING THINGS OUT IN THOSE
SPEECHES EVEN IF IT WON'T GO
ANYWHERE IN THE BUILDING?
>> THE TASK FOR GOVERNOR EVERS
IS DIFFERENT THAN GOVERNOR
WALKER BECAUSE HE WAS PUTTING
FORWARD SOMETHING WHERE HE
WANTED 100% OF IT TO PASS OR 90%
OF IT TO PASS.
OBVIOUSLY IT'S A DIFFERENT
SITUATION FOR GOVERNOR EVERS.
SO HE MAY FEEL IN SOME WAY THAT
HE DOESN'T WANT TO NEGOTIATE
WITH HIMSELF, THAT HE WANTS TO
JUST PUT FORWARD A VISION AND
THEN, YOU KNOW, SEE IT, YOU
KNOW, TRY AND REACH COMPROMISE
IN THE COMING MONTHS.
>> WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE IT
THERE.
JASON STEIN IS RESEARCH DIRECTOR
AT WISCONSIN POLICY FORUM.
THANKS FOR JOINING US.
>> IF YOU'D LIKE TO SEE
TONIGHT'S SPEECH, YOU CAN WATCH
IT AGAIN BY GOING TO wpt.org.
WISCONSIN PUBLIC TELEVISION WILL
HAVE IT POSTED LATER THIS
EVENING ON OUR WEBSITE.
WE WILL ALSO HAVE CONTINUING CONTINUING
COVERAGE AND REACTION TO THE
BUDGET TOMORROW NIGHT ON "HERE
AND NOW" WHEN WE GET REACTION.
>> WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO WILL
FOLLOW DEVELOPMENTS FROM THE
CAPITOL WITH KATE ARCHER KENT
AND BUDGET COVERAGE DURING OUR
NEWSCAST.
>> THE NEXT COUPLE MONTHS WILL
BE FILLED WITH DEBATE OVER THE
BUDGET AND THE SPRING ELECTION
FOR THE WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT.
FOR MORE, GO TO
wisconsinvote.org WHERE YOU CAN
GET COVERAGE OF WISCONSIN
POLITICS ONLINE.
>> I'M SHAWN JOHNSON WITH WITH
WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO.
>> I'M ZAC SCHULTZ WITH
WISCONSIN PUBLIC TELEVISION.
THIS CONCLUDES THE 2019
GOVERNOR'S BUDGET ADDRESS.