>>> WELCOME TO WISCONSIN PUBLIC
MEDIA'S COVERAGE OF TONY EVERS
FIRST STATE OF THE STATE
ADDRESS.
WE ARE LIVE AT THE STATE CAPITOL
IN MADISON.
IN A FEW MOMENTS, TONY EVERS
WILL MAKE HIS WAY INTO THE
ASSEMBLY CHAMBERS AND WILL SPEAK
BEFORE THE FULL LEGISLATURE, THE
WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT, HIS
CABINET AND OTHER STATEWIDE
ELECTED OFFICIALS.
GOOD EVENING.
FROM WISCONSIN PUBLIC TELEVISION
STWHR SHAWN JOHNSON FROM
WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO.
THIS IS THE 104th WISCONSIN
LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
>> AND ROBIN VOS WILL PROVIDE
THE REPUBLICAN RESPONSE.
>> TONIGHT DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR
TONY EVERS LAYS OUT HIS PLANS
AFTER BEATING TWO-TIME
REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT, SCOTT
WALKER IN THE LAST ELECTION.
>> WE KNOW GOVERNOR EVERS
EXPECTS TO HIGHLIGHT BIPARTISAN
BIPARTISANSHIP IN TONIGHT'S
SPEECH AND WOULD CALL ON THE
REPUBLICAN LEADERS TO WORK OFF
HIS, GOVERNOR EVERS STATE BUDGET
AS OPPOSED TO DRAFTING THEIR
OWN.
>> IT SEEMS LIKE A MINOR
PROCEDURAL THING, BUT THIS IS
WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO HEAR A LOT
OF.
OPENING DAYS IN THE
ADMINISTRATION FOR SURE AS THE
REPUBLICAN ALREADY AND DEMOCRAT
GOVERNOR FEEL THEMSELVES OUT AS
THEY SPEAK ABOUT FINDING
BIPARTISAN SOLUTIONS.
>> THERE IS A LOT OF SPEAKING TO
THAT BIPARTISANSHIP, AND TODAY
ON THE ASSEMBLY FLOOR THERE WAS
A PRE-EXISTING HEALTHCARE BILL,
AND IT DID PASS IN A BIPARTISAN
WAY, BUT THERE WERE DEMOCRATS ON
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE WHO
TOOK EXCEPTION TO THAT.
>> JUST SO YOU KNOW.
>> MR. PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS,
THE GOVERNOR OF THE GREAT STATE
OF WISCONSIN, THE HONORABLE TONY
EVERS!
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> SOMETIMES WHEN YOU ARE
WATCHING THESE THINGS AT HOME,
THERE'S A LOT OF RUN-UP TO THE
SPEECH, AND THAT ALL HAPPENED
BEFORE YOU TUNED IN.
EVERYBODY IS READY TO GET GOING
HERE TONIGHT.
THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN WAITING TO
GET TO WALK THROUGH THE DOORS A
FEW MINUTES NOW.
BACK IN THE ASSEMBLY PARLOR, YOU
SEE HIM SHAKING HANDS WITH
LAWMAKERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE
AISLE, SPEAKING AND REACHING OUT
TO THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE THERE.
>> MAYBE THE GOVERNOR AND HIS
FOLKS WANTED TO GET THINGS
GOING, GIVEN THERE IS THIS SNOW
COMING IN.
IT WAS NOT AS HEAVY AS EXPECTED.
BUT YOU WERE POINTING OUT
EARLIER WHEN GOVERNOR WALKER DID
HIS FIRST STATE OF THE STATE, IT
WAS ONE BIG SNOWSTORM.
>> ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I
THOUGHT OF, AND FEELS
REMARKABLE, AND AGAIN, THIS IS
WISCONSIN AND THE SNOW IN
JANUARY, MAYBE NOT SO
REMARKABLE, BUT, YOU KNOW, THAT
IS ONE THING THEY HAVE IN
COMMON.
THERE'S THE GOVERNOR NOW SHAKING
HANDS WITH DEMOCRATIC SENATOR
TIM HOLLAND, CHIEF JUSTICE
ROBENSTACH TO WATCH THE SPEECH.
>> WE KNOW THAT HIS FAMILY IS UP
ABOVE WATCHING.
LOOKS AS THOUGH PEOPLE ARE READY
FOR THE GOVERNOR, TONY EVERS TO
BEGIN HIS FIRST STATE OF THE
STATE ADDRESS.
>> GOING TO BE A BUSY MONTH OR
BUSY FEW MONTHS FOR THE
GOVERNOR.
HE HAD THAT INAUGURATION
ADDRESS, STATE OF THE STATE.
HE'S GOING TO GET HIS FIRST
BUDGET ADDRESS, TOO, LATE IN
FEBRUARY, A LITTLE LATER THAN
USUAL.
>>> AT THIS TIME IT'S TIME TO
INTRODUCE THE GOVERNOR OF THE
GREAT STATE OF WISCONSIN, THE
HONORABLE TONY EVERS!
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> DON'T WEAR YOURSELF OUT.
THANK YOU ALL.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU, AND GOOD EVENING.
HONORABLE SUPREME COURT
JUSTICES, TRIBAL NATION LEADERS,
CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, MAJOR
-- SORRY.
LET'S START OVER.
I DID THAT ON PURPOSE, SORRY.
THANK YOU, AND GOOD EVENING.
HONORABLE SUPREME COURT
JUSTICES, TRIBAL NATION LEADERS,
CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, MAJOR
GENERAL DUNBAR AND THE MEMBERS
OF THE WISCONSIN NATIONAL GUARD
AS WELL AS ACTIVE AND RETIRED
MEMBERS OF OUR ARMED FORCES,
SENATE PRESIDENT ROTH, MAJORITY
LEADER FITZGERALD, MINORITY
LEADER SHILLING, SPEAKER VOS,
AND MINORITY LEADER HINTZ,
CABINET MEMBERS, LEGISLATORS,
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, AND, MOST
IMPORTANTLY, PEOPLE OF
WISCONSIN: WELCOME, AND THANK
YOU FOR BEING HERE.
THANK YOU.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
BEFORE WE GET STARTED, I ALSO
WANT TO RECOGNIZE SOMEONE ELSE
WHO'S HERE WITH US TONIGHT.
HE'S A WISCONSIN INSTITUTION AND
EMBODIES BOTH THE SOUL OF OUR
CAMPUS HERE IN MADISON AND
SPIRIT OF OUR STATE, MARCHING
BAND DIRECTOR AND DIRECTOR OF
BANDS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
WISCONSIN-MADISON,
DR. MIKE LECKRONE.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
THANK YOU, MIKE.
THIS YEAR MARKS THE PROFESSOR'S
50TH AND FINAL YEAR LEADING UW'S
MARCHING BAND AS HE WILL BE
RETIRING AT THE END OF THIS
YEAR.
HE'S DIRECTED HALFTIME SHOWS FOR
NEARLY HALF OF CAMP RANDALL'S
EXISTENCE AND HAS SEEN COACHES
AND CHANCELLORS AND BAND MEMBERS
COME AND GO.
BUT EVEN MORE THAN THE "STOP AT
THE TOP" OR THE 5TH QUARTER
POSTGAME ROUTINES, THE PROFESSOR
WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR WHAT A
REMARKABLE LEADER, TEACHER, AND
INSPIRER, NOT JUST FOR HIS
STUDENTS, BUT FOR PEOPLE ACROSS
OUR STATE.
SO, TONIGHT, WE HONOR THE
PROFESSOR, AND THANK HIM FOR HIS
SERVICE.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
I'D ALSO LIKE TO INTRODUCE MY
FORMER JUNIOR PROM DATE, KATHY,
WHO'S UP THERE IN THE GALLERY
TONIGHT.
KATHLEEN, WHERE ARE YOU?
[APPLAUSE]
ALL MY OTHER KIDS AND GRANDKIDS
I'M SURE ARE WATCHING FROM HOME.
I HOPE YOU STAY AWAKE, BECAUSE
THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST
IMPORTANT SPEECH OF YOUR
LIFETIME.
THANK YOU, FAMILY FOR SUPPORTING
ME.
I LOVE YOU ALL.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
[APPLAUSE]
I'M TONY EVERS, AND I'M
INCREDIBLY HONORED TO BE HERE
TONIGHT AS THE 46TH GOVERNOR OF
THE GREAT STATE OF WISCONSIN TO
SAY THE STATE OF OUR STATE IS
THAT WE'VE GOT WORK TO DO, AND
WE'RE READY FOR BIPARTISAN
SOLUTIONS.
[APPLAUSE]
YOU KNOW, A FEW WEEKS AGO, I
STOOD JUST OUTSIDE OF HERE WHERE
I TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE AND
DELIVERED MY INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
AND I REMIND YOU TODAY, JUST AS
I DID WEEKS AGO, OF THE SPIRIT
OF OUR SERVICE, OF THE POWER
THAT WE HAVE, AND THE
RESPONSIBILITY THAT WE BEAR.
WE ARE A STATE FORGED BY THE
WISCONSIN IDEA, THE NOTION THAT
EDUCATION INFORMS OUR PUBLIC
POLICY AND THAT KNOWLEDGE SHOULD
EMBRACE THE COMMUNITIES WE'RE
CALLED TO SERVE.
BUT TODAY, WE ARE ALSO A STATE
AMONG THE WORST TO RAISE A BLACK
FAMILY, AND WE ARE A STATE
THAT'S SPENDING MORE ON
CORRECTIONS THAN OUR ENTIRE UW
SYSTEM.
WE ARE A STATE THAT ONCE
CULTIVATED NEW TECHNOLOGY, FROM
TYPEWRITERS TO AUTOMOBILES,
WE'VE LED THE NATION IN
INNOVATION.
BUT TODAY, WE ARE A STATE THAT'S
BEHIND ON BROADBAND EXPANSION,
AND WE TRAIL THE COUNTRY IN
START-UPS AND SMALL BUSINESS
CREATION.
WE ARE A STATE THAT WAS THE
BIRTHPLACE OF BADGERCARE, AND
WE'VE BEEN A LABORATORY FOR
DEMOCRACY.
BUT TODAY, WE ARE ALSO A STATE
WHERE IT'S BECOME CHEAPER TO GET
HEALTHCARE BY DRIVING ACROSS THE
MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
THE REALITIES WE FACE ARE BIGGER
THAN YOURS TRULY OR ANY
POLITICAL PARTY.
THE MAGNITUDE OF OUR CHALLENGES
REQUIRES US TO PUT PEOPLE FIRST
BECAUSE, AS I'VE SAID, THAT IS
THE PROMISE OF OUR SERVICE.
SO TONIGHT I'M ASKING YOU TO
JOIN ME IN MAKING GOOD ON THAT
PROMISE BY MOVING FORWARD,
TOGETHER.
[APPLAUSE]
FIXING OUR ECONOMY REMAINS A
PRIORITY.
THAT'S WHY JUST LAST WEEK I
DIRECTED THE WISCONSIN ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO
CREATE AN INNOVATION AND
ENTREPRENEURSHIP COMMITTEE
FOCUSING ON SUPPORTING OUR SMALL
BUSINESSES, SEEDING CAPITAL
FUNDS, AND TECHNOLOGY
DEVELOPMENT.
BUT THERE IS MORE TO AN ECONOMY
THAN COUNTING JOB CREATION, AND
THE STATE OF OUR STATE IS MORE
THAN JUST OUR UNEMPLOYMENT RATE.
[APPLAUSE]
THE OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE TO OFFER
IS NOT JUST THE NUMBER OF JOBS
WE CREATE.
IT'S COUNTED, TOO, BY THE NUMBER
OF WORKERS WHO WILL WORK FORTY
HOURS EACH WEEK JUST TO KEEP
THEIR FAMILY OUT OF POVERTY.
[APPLAUSE]
THE STRENGTH OF OUR SUCCESS IS
NOT FOUND SOLELY IN FISCAL
SURPLUS.
IT'S DEFINED, TOO, BY THE NUMBER
OF OUR KIDS WHO WILL GO TO
SCHOOL HUNGRY TOMORROW.
[APPLAUSE]
THE METRIC FOR MY GRANDKIDS AND
YOUR POSTERITY IS NOT JUST WHAT
WE KEEP IN THE COFFERS FOR A
RAINY DAY.
IT'S MEASURED, TOO, BY THE
QUALITY OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES
WE'RE LEAVING BEHIND FOR OUR
KIDS AND THEIR KIDS AFTER THEM.
[APPLAUSE]
THE STATE OF OUR STATE IS THE
WORK OF LISA, WHO IS ALSO IN THE
GALLERY TONIGHT.
LISA, WHERE ARE YOU, DEAR?
[APPLAUSE]
LISA IS THE FOUNDER AND
PRESIDENT OF THE FOUNDATION FOR
BLACK WOMEN'S WELLNESS.
[APPLAUSE]
THE FOUNDATION SERVES MORE THAN
1,000 WOMEN AND GIRLS WORKING TO
ELIMINATE HEALTH DISPARITIES
AFFECTING BLACK WOMEN, THEIR
FAMILIES, AND THEIR COMMUNITIES.
THANK YOU, LISA!
APPRECIATE YOUR GREAT WORK.
[APPLAUSE]
THE STATE OF OUR STATE IS ALSO
THE STORY OF JEN, WHO GREW UP IN
CASHTON.
BECAUSE OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE
ACT, JEN HAS ACCESS TO
COMPREHENSIVE, PATIENT-CENTERED
CARE THAT IS TAILORED TO HER
NEEDS.
BEING ABLE TO AFFORD SERVICES
AND INSURANCE HAS ALLOWED JEN TO
TAKE CONTROL OF HER HEALTH FROM
PREVENTATIVE TO REPRODUCTIVE TO
BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE.
JEN IS ALSO HERE IN THE GALLERY
TONIGHT.
THANKS, JEN!
[APPLAUSE]
THE STATE OF OUR STATE IS THE
STORY OF JOSE WHO CAME TO
ABBOTSFORD, WISCONSIN, FROM
MEXICO WITH HIS PARENTS WHEN HE
WAS TWELVE YEARS OLD.
JOSE LEARNED ENGLISH THROUGH
ABBOTSFORD'S ENGLISH AS A SECOND
LANGUAGE PROGRAM AND GAINED A
SENSE OF COMMUNITY WHEN HE
SIGNED UP TO PLAY BASEBALL IN
HIGH SCHOOL.
JOSE DECIDED TO STAY HERE IN
WISCONSIN.
HE STILL LIVES IN ABBOTSFORD
WHERE HE'S RAISING HIS SONS,
MARCO AND NICKOLAS, AND COACHES
THEIR BASEBALL TEAM, THE
BRONCOS.
AND HE'S BECOME A NATURALIZED
CITIZEN.
JOSE AND HIS SON MARCO ARE UP IN
THE GALLERY TONIGHT.
PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED.
[APPLAUSE]
THE STATE OF OUR STATE IS THE
STORY OF STUDENTS LIKE ALEX FROM
BOYCEVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL.
ALEX'S TEACHER DESCRIBES HER AS
HAVING THE DRIVE AND PASSION
THAT MAKE HER EXCITED TO COME TO
WORK EVERY DAY.
ALEX HAS WORKED HARD TO TURN
THINGS AROUND AT SCHOOL AND IS
NOW PASSING ALL OF HER CLASSES,
HAS NO MISSED ASSIGNMENTS, AND
HAS GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND TO
HELP OTHER STUDENTS, TOO.
AND IT'S ALSO THE STORY OF
STUDENTS LIKE DIAMOND FROM
PARKER HIGH SCHOOL IN JANESVILLE
WHERE THE SCHOOL NURSE DESCRIBES
HER AS THE STRONGEST YOUNG LADY
SHE HAS THE PLEASURE OF KNOWING.
DIAMOND'S FAMILY HAS HAD SOME
TOUGH TIMES, BUT DIAMOND HAS
PERSEVERED, IS EXCELLING IN
SCHOOL, AND HAS DREAMS OF
BECOMING A PEDIATRICIAN OR
PEDIATRIC NURSE.
DIAMOND IS HERE IN THE GALLERY,
AND TONIGHT I'M EXCITED TO
ANNOUNCE ALEX AND DIAMOND ARE
THE FIRST-EVER RECIPIENTS OF THE
STAR STUDENT AWARD IN WISCONSIN.
DIAMOND, WOULD YOU PLEASE STAND?
[APPLAUSE]
WAY TO GO, DIAMOND.
GREAT JOB.
WHEN I STOOD BEFORE YOU JUST A
FEW WEEKS AGO TO DELIVER MY
INAUGURAL ADDRESS, I SAID IT WAS
TIME TO GET TO WORK, AND WE
HAVE.
BUT THE REAL WORK, THE HARDEST
WORK, IS YET TO BE DONE.
LAST MONTH, MANDELA AND I
TRAVELED ACROSS THE STATE
LISTENING TO WISCONSINITES TALK
ABOUT THEIR VALUES AND THEIR
VISION FOR OUR FUTURE.
WE TALKED ABOUT POLICIES AND
SOLUTIONS THAT CONNECT THE DOTS.
AND I KEEP SAYING THAT,
CONNECTING THE DOTS -- AND I'VE
BEEN ASKED SEVERAL TIMES WHAT I
MEAN BY THAT -- IT'S ABOUT
SEEING A FOREST THROUGH THE
TREES.
IT'S ABOUT SEEING THE CONNECTION
BETWEEN HOW LACK OF ACCESS TO
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AFFECTS KIDS
IN THE CLASSROOM.
IT'S ABOUT SEEING THE CONNECTION
BETWEEN DRUG AND ALCOHOL
ADDICTION AND OUR BURGEONING
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
IT'S ABOUT SEEING THE CONNECTION
BETWEEN A BUDDING ENTREPRENEUR
WHO WANTS TO START THEIR OWN
BUSINESS AND HOW THE RISING
COSTS OF HEALTH INSURANCE MIGHT
PUSH THAT DREAM OUT OF REACH.
THE BUDGET THAT I'LL BE
INTRODUCING IN THE COMING WEEKS
IS ABOUT CONNECTING THOSE DOTS.
AND TO NO ONE'S SURPRISE, IT
BEGINS, AS IT ALWAYS HAS FOR ME,
WITH EDUCATION.
[APPLAUSE]
THANK YOU.
CONNECTING THE DOTS MEANS
RECOGNIZING THAT WHAT'S BEST FOR
OUR KIDS IS BEST FOR OUR STATE.
[APPLAUSE]
THE INVESTMENT WE MAKE IN OUR
KIDS TODAY WILL YIELD DIVIDENDS
FOR GENERATIONS.
THAT'S WHY OUR BUDGET REAFFIRMS
OUR STATE'S COMMITMENT TO OUR
KIDS BY RETURNING TO TWO-THIRDS
FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS ACROSS
WISCONSIN.
[APPLAUSE]
I WAS PLEASED TO LEARN THAT THE
SPEAKER HAS ENCOURAGED HIS
MEMBERS TO SUPPORT THIS
PROVISION IN OUR BUDGET, AND I
HOPE THAT I CAN COUNT ON YOUR
SUPPORT GOING FORWARD.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
IN ADDITION TO TWO-THIRDS
FUNDING, WE'RE ALSO GOING TO
MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE RESOURCES
TO SUPPORT OUR KIDS WITH SPECIAL
NEEDS.
FOR THE PAST DECADE, WE'VE NOT
ONLY CUT FUNDING FOR PUBLIC
SCHOOLS, WE'VE FAILED TO FULLY
FUND SERVICES FOR SPECIAL
EDUCATION.
THIS HAS FORCED LOCAL SCHOOL
DISTRICTS AND TAXPAYERS TO
SQUEEZE RESOURCES FROM OTHER
AREAS TO PROVIDE THESE CRITICAL
SERVICES.
OUR BUDGET WILL PROVIDE AN
UNPRECEDENTED $600 MILLION
INCREASE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION
FUNDING.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
THAT MEANS OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS
WILL HAVE ENOUGH TO ALLOCATE THE
RESOURCES THEY DO HAVE TO OTHER
AREAS OF HIGH NEED.
AND WE'RE NOT JUST GOING TO
INCREASE SUPPORT FOR OUR KIDS
WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
WE'RE GOING TO GET TO WORK ON
CLOSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP FOR
LOW-INCOME STUDENTS AND STUDENTS
OF COLOR.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
THR
OUR STATE'S ACHIEVEMENT GAP IS
AMONG THE HIGHEST IN THE NATION
IN READING AND MATH SCORES.
AS STATE SUPERINTENDENT, I
SUBMITTED PROPOSALS THAT
WOULD'VE HELPED ADDRESS OUR
STATE'S ACHIEVEMENT GAP.
UNFORTUNATELY, MOST OF THESE
PROPOSALS NEVER MADE IT THROUGH
THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.
I BELIEVE THIS IS THE YEAR THEY
WILL.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
AND MY URBAN INITIATIVES
PROGRAMS WILL ALSO EMPOWER
MINORITY STUDENTS IN OUR STATE'S
HIGHEST-NEED DISTRICTS BY
EXPANDING EARLY CHILDHOOD
EDUCATION AND SUMMER SCHOOL
GRANT PROGRAMS.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
IT IS URGENT THAT WE INCREASE
SUPPORT FOR OUR LOW-INCOME
STUDENTS AND STUDENTS OF COLOR.
THE LONGER WE WAIT TO INVEST IN
CLOSING OUR ACHIEVEMENT GAP, THE
WIDER THE GAP WILL GET, AND THE
MORE IT WILL COST US IN THE
LONG-RUN.
FINALLY, WE'RE GOING TO PROPOSE
A FIVE-FOLD INCREASE IN MENTAL
HEALTH PROGRAMS FOR K-12
STUDENTS ACROSS OUR STATE.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
BUT FUNDING MENTAL HEALTH
PROGRAMMING IN OUR SCHOOLS IS
NOT ENOUGH.
SO TONIGHT, WE RENEW OUR
COMMITMENT TO MAKING SURE
EVERYBODY HAS ACCESS TO QUALITY,
AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
WE'VE ALREADY STARTED WORKING TO
MAKE SURE HEALTHCARE IN
WISCONSIN IS AFFORDABLE AND
ACCESSIBLE.
WE SIGNED EXECUTIVE ORDERS
CREATING A HEALTHY COMMUNITIES
INITIATIVE AND CALLING UPON THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES TO
PRIORITIZE THESE GOALS.
WE ALSO CALLED UPON OUR STATE
AGENCIES TO CONNECT THE DOTS AND
WORK TOGETHER ON HOW WE CAN
PROTECT HEALTHCARE COVERAGE FOR
PEOPLE IN OUR STATE.
BUT OUR WORK CAN'T STOP THERE.
THAT'S WHY OUR BUDGET WILL ALSO
SEEK TO EXPAND MEDICAID IN
WISCONSIN.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
ACCORDING TO THE NONPARTISAN
LEGISLATIVE FISCAL BUREAU, THIS
WILL ENABLE AN ADDITIONAL 76,000
WISCONSINITES TO HAVE ACCESS TO
AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE.
THIS WOULD ALSO SAVE WISCONSIN
TAXPAYERS HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS
OF DOLLARS, ALLOWING US TO
REALLOCATE THOSE COST SAVINGS TO
OTHER CRITICAL PROGRAMS.
WE HAVE A REAL OPPORTUNITY HERE,
FOLKS.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, MR.
MAJORITY LEADER AND MR. SPEAKER,
HEALTHCARE SHOULD NOT BE A
PARTISAN ISSUE--REPUBLICAN
STATES LIKE KENTUCKY, NEBRASKA,
AND IDAHO HAVE EXPANDED
MEDICAID, AND SO HAVE DEMOCRATIC
STATES LIKE WASHINGTON,
CALIFORNIA, AND MINNESOTA.
WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET IT DONE
HERE, TOO.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
THE PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN VOTED
FOR A CHANGE THIS NOVEMBER AND
ASKED US TO STOP PLAYING
POLITICS WITH THEIR HEALTH CARE.
THAT'S WHY I'M ANNOUNCING
TONIGHT THAT I HAVE FULFILLED A
PROMISE I MADE TO THE PEOPLE OF
WISCONSIN BY DIRECTING ATTORNEY
GENERAL KAUL TO WITHDRAW FROM A
LAWSUIT THAT WOULD GUT COVERAGE
FOR THE 2.4 MILLION
WISCONSINITES WHO HAVE
PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
I'VE SAID ALL ALONG THAT I
BELIEVE THE BEST WAY TO MAINTAIN
PROTECTIONS FOR HEALTHCARE HERE
IN WISCONSIN IS TO STOP TRYING
TO DISMANTLE THOSE PROTECTIONS
AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
IN ADDITION, WE'RE ALSO GOING TO
ADDRESS WISCONSIN'S
TRANSPORTATION FUNDING CRISIS.
I APPOINTED SECRETARY-DESIGNEE
CRAIG THOMPSON BECAUSE I KNOW
THAT HE WILL WORK ON BOTH SIDES
OF THE AISLE FOR A SOLUTION THAT
WORKS FOR WISCONSIN.
I FULLY EXPECT THAT HE WILL BE
APPROVED WITH CONSENT OF THE
SENATE.
I'VE SAID ALL ALONG THAT I
BELIEVE WE HAVE TO BRING PEOPLE
TOGETHER TO WORK ON THIS ISSUE,
AND I BELIEVE SECRETARY-DESIGNEE
THOMPSON CAN GET IT DONE.
IN THE COMING DAYS, WE'LL BE
ANNOUNCING A TASK FORCE OF
STAKEHOLDERS TO GET TO WORK ON
PROPOSING A BIPARTISAN POLICY
SOLUTION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE
PEOPLE'S BUDGET.
THE TASK FORCE WILL SOLICIT
FEEDBACK FROM KEY PARTNERS FROM
ALL REGIONS OF THE STATE, ALL
SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY, AND
USERS OF ALL DIFFERENT MODES OF
TRANSPORTATION.
AND WHILE I KNOW THAT CAUCUS
MEMBERS IN BOTH HOUSES SUPPORT
DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO SOLVING
OUR TRANSPORTATION FUNDING
CRISIS, IT'S GOING TO TAKE
SACRIFICES AND COMPROMISES TO
FIND A LONG-TERM, COMPREHENSIVE
SOLUTION THAT WORKS FOR
EVERYONE.
[APPLAUSE]
BUT ROADS AND BRIDGES ARE ONLY A
SMALL PART OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE
CHALLENGES FACING OUR STATE.
THAT'S WHY I'M ALSO DECLARING
2019 IS THE YEAR OF CLEAN
DRINKING WATER IN WISCONSIN.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH SERVICES, 1.7 MILLION
WISCONSINITES DEPEND ON PRIVATE
WELLS FOR WATER, AND 47% OF
THESE WELLS DO NOT MEET
ACCEPTABLE HEALTH STANDARDS.
MEANWHILE, ACCORDING TO THE U.S.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY,
WE HAVE AN ESTIMATED 176,000
LEAD SERVICE LINES ACROSS OUR
STATE.
REMOVING LEAD SERVICE LINES
COULD COST OVER $2 BILLION.
BUT PEW CHARITABLE TRUSTS
ESTIMATES THAT FOR EVERY $1 WE
SPEND ON REPLACING LEAD DRINKING
WATER LINES, WE WILL SEE A 133%
RETURN ON OUR INVESTMENT IN
HIGHER LIFETIME EARNINGS AND
BETTER HEALTH OUTCOMES.
[APPLAUSE]
THAT'S WHY, IN THE COMING WEEKS,
I'LL BE SIGNING AN EXECUTIVE
ORDER TO DESIGNATE A PERSON AT
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
SERVICES TO TAKE CHARGE ON
ADDRESSING WISCONSIN'S LEAD
CRISIS AND TO HELP SECURE
FEDERAL FUNDING FOR PREVENTION
AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS.
[APPLAUSE]
FINALLY, WE'RE GOING TO CUT
TAXES BY 10% FOR EVERYONE MAKING
UP TO $100,000 AND FAMILIES
MAKING UP TO $150,000.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO IT BY
SPENDING MONEY WE DON'T HAVE OR
THAT MIGHT NOT BE THERE IN TWO
YEARS.
I DON'T MAKE PROMISES I CAN'T
KEEP, AND I'M NOT GOING TO
PROPOSE THINGS THAT WE CAN'T PAY
FOR.
SO INSTEAD, WE'RE GOING TO FUND
TAX RELIEF FOR HARD-WORKING
FAMILIES BY CAPPING A CORPORATE
TAX CREDIT, 80% OF WHICH GOES TO
FILERS MAKING MORE THAN $1
MILLION A YEAR.
[APPLAUSE]
AN ECONOMY THAT WORKS FOR ALL OF
US, HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES, MORE
MONEY FOR OUR KIDS AND OUR
SCHOOLS, BETTER ROADS AND
INFRASTRUCTURE, THAT IS WHAT THE
PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN EXPECT FROM
US, AND THAT IS WHAT THE PEOPLE
OF WISCONSIN DESERVE.
GIVEN THE CHALLENGES WE FACE, I
EXPECT THE LEGISLATURE WILL
FOCUS ON THESE IMPORTANT
PRIORITIES INSTEAD OF BEING
DISTRACTED BY DIVISION AND
PREVENTING US FROM WORKING
TOGETHER TO GET THINGS DONE.
[APPLAUSE]
YOU KNOW, IN THE GOVERNOR'S
CONFERENCE ROOM INSCRIBED ON THE
CEILING IS A PHRASE THAT READS,
"THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE IS THE
LAW OF THE LAND."
THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE IS THE
LAW OF THE LAND.
THAT MEANS I EXPECT LEGISLATION
ARRIVING ON MY DESK WILL BE
PASSED WITH BROAD SUPPORT AND IN
THE SPIRIT OF BIPARTISANSHIP.
THAT MEANS INSTEAD OF TAKING UP
AN ENTIRELY NEW BUDGET OF ITS
OWN, I EXPECT THE LEGISLATURE TO
TAKE UP THE BUDGET I CRAFTED BY
AND WITH THE PEOPLE OF OUR
STATE.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
I'LL TELL YOU TODAY AS I TOLD
YOU A FEW WEEKS AGO THAT I HAVE
NEVER BEEN MORE HOPEFUL ABOUT
OUR STATE AND OUR KIDS' FUTURE.
I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THERE WILL
BE ISSUES ON WHICH WE DISAGREE.
I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THERE WILL
BE TIMES WHEN WE WILL BE
FRUSTRATED BY THE DELIBERATIVE
PROCESS OF DEMOCRACY.
BUT WE WILL ENGAGE CIVILLY.
WE WILL HAVE DISCOURSE AND
DIALOGUE, BUT IT WILL NOT
DEVOLVE INTO DISRESPECT, AND WE
WILL GOVERN WITH A HUMBLE
APPRECIATION THAT THE WILL OF
THE PEOPLE, OUR PEOPLE, IS THE
LAW OF THE LAND.
[APPLAUSE]
NOW, LET'S GET BACK TO WORK.
THANK YOU, AND ON, WISCONSIN!
[MUSIC]
>>> SO THAT CONCLUDES GOVERNOR
TONY EVERS FIRST STATE OF THE
STATE ADDRESS, AND WE WILL BE
HEARING THE REPUBLICAN RESPONSE
FROM ROBIN VOS IN JUST A FEW
MOMENTS.
BUT WE SHOULD MENTION AND
REFLECT ON THE FACT THE BIGGEST
APPLAUSE FROM DEMOCRATS IN THIS
SPEECH CAME WHEN THE GOVERNOR
TALKED ABOUT DIRECTING THE
ATTORNEY GENERAL TO WITHDRAW
FROM THE ACA LAWSUIT AND EXPAND
MEDICAID AS WELL.
>> YEAH, IF YOU WATCHED OR
LISTENED IN THE SPEECHES, YOU
HAVE TO KNOW THE DRILL.
THE EXECUTIVE GIVES A SPEECH AND
HAS USUALLY HIS SIDE OF THE
AISLE CHEERING FOR SOME PARTS OF
IT, AND THE OTHER SIDE OF THE
AISLE SITTING FOR MANY PARTS OF
IT.
THAT WAS THE GREATEST DISPARITY
WE SAW DURING THE SPEECH.
DEMOCRATS ERUPTED WHEN THE
GOVERNOR SAID HE WAS GOING TO
DIRECT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO
DROP THAT LAWSUIT THAT SEEKS TO
OVERTURN THE ACA, AND YOU DIDN'T
HEAR ANYTHING FROM REPUBLICANS
DURING THAT.
SOME CONTEXT ON THAT.
THIS IS SOMETHING THE GOVERNOR
CAMPAIGNED ON, HE SAID HE WAS
GOING TO DO AND SOMETHING THAT
ATTORNEY GENERAL KAUL CAMPAIGNED
ON.
IT WAS ONE OF THEIR BIGGEST
CAMPAIGN PROMISES BUT IN THE
LAME DUCK SESSION THEY CONCLUDED
IN DECEMBER THAT POWER WAS
DIMINISHED.
IT WAS -- THE GOVERNOR COULD
DIRECT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO
DROP OUT OF A LAWSUIT LIKE THIS.
BUT HE WOULD NEED THE APPROVAL
OF THE LEGISLATURE'S BUDGET
COMMITTEE TO GET IT DONE.
SO WHAT'S UNCLEAR RIGHT NOW
WHETHER GOVERNOR EVERS IS GOING
TO DIRECT ATTORNEY GENERAL KAUL
TO DROP THE LAWSUIT, GET OUT OF
IT, BECAUSE WE KNOW THE
DEMOCRATS OPPOSE THESE LAME DUCK
LAWS THAT WERE PASSED IN THE
DECEMBER EXTRAORDINARY SESSION.
ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNOR IS GOING
TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF
DIRECTING KAUL.
>> OBVIOUSLY THIS IS SOMETHING
TO WATCH AND LOOK FOR THE FINE
POINTS ON, BUT THERE'S ALSO THE
EXPANDING OF MEDICAID WHICH WE
KNOW THE REPUBLICANS ARE OPPOSED
TO.
>> ON THAT ONE, REPUBLICANS
CONSISTENTLY THEY DON'T WANT TO
GO ALONG WITH THAT.
BUT IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG PART
OF THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET.
WE KNOW THAT THAT CONFLICT IS
GOING TO BE THERE IN THE
UPCOMING SESSION.
ON THAT ISSUE THE GOVERNOR SAID
HE'S GOING TO KEEP IT IN THE
BUDGET, AND REPUBLICANS SAID NO
UNCERTAIN TERMS THAT THEY ARE
NOT GOING TO SUPPORT IT.
>> AGAIN, TONY EVERS CALLING FOR
BIPARTISANSHIP BUT NOW WE WOULD
LIKE TO THROW IT TO ASSEMBLY
SPEAKER, ROBIN VOS WITH THE
REPUBLICAN RESPONSE.
SPEAKER?
>> SPEAKER VOS HAS TONIGHT'S
REPUBLICAN RESPONSE.
>>> HELLO.
I'M ASSEMBLY SPEAKER ROBIN VOS.
I'M HONORED TO GIVE THE
REPUBLICAN RESPONSE TONIGHT.
AS I'VE TRAVELED OUR GREAT STATE
THIS PAST YEAR, I'VE SEEN
WISCONSIN AT ITS BEST.
OUR STATE AND ITS PEOPLE ARE
THRIVING.
IN NORTHEASTERN WISCONSIN,
MARINETTE MARINE IS EXPANDING
AND BUILDING THE FUTURE OF OUR
NATION'S NAVAL FLEET.
OUTSIDE LAMBEAU FIELD, THE
TITLETOWN DEVELOPMENT IS TAKING
SHAPE AND ATTRACTING VISITORS,
EVEN, IN THE OFF-SEASON.
IN MILWAUKEE, THE FISERV FORUM
IS HAVING AN AMAZING INAUGURAL
SEASON ESPECIALLY WITH THE
MILWAUKEE BUCKS HAVING THE BEST
RECORD IN THE NBA.
THROUGHOUT WISCONSIN, MANY
FARMERS HAD THEIR FIRST GROWING
SEASON OF HEMP IN MORE THAN 70
YEARS.
BUSINESS OWNERS ACROSS THE STATE
ARE INCREASING PAY TO MEET THE
DEMAND IN OUR COMPETITIVE MARKET
PLACE.
WISCONSIN NOW HAS MORE JOBS THAN
PEOPLE TO FILL THEM.
IT'S CLEAR, NO MATTER WHAT YOU
HAVE HEARD, THE STATE OF OUR
STATE IS INCREDIBLY STRONG.
YOU SIMPLY CAN'T IGNORE THE
FACTS.
THE WISCONSIN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
IS AT ITS 11TH STRAIGHT MONTH AT
OR BELOW 3%.
DESPITE WHAT WE HEARD TONIGHT,
NEW BUSINESSES ARE UP NEARLY 7%
JUST THIS PAST YEAR.
WE'RE SEEING THE FEWEST MORTGAGE
FORECLOSURES IN 18 YEARS.
EXPORTS HAVE INCREASED BY 3.2%.
TOURISM SPENDING NOW TOPS 20
BILLION DOLLARS.
ONE OF MY FAVORITES.
AND WISCONSIN FAMILIES HAVE THE
LOWEST TAX BURDEN IN NEARLY 50
YEARS.
BY ANY METRIC WISCONSIN IS IN
GREAT SHAPE AND THAT'S WHY
ECONOMISTS AGREE THAT THE STATE
HE CONMY IS THE BEST IN DECADES.
YOU MIGHT ASK, HOW DID WE GET
HERE?
FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS,
REPUBLICANS WORKED HARD TO MAKE
WISCONSIN OPEN FOR BUSINESS.
WE CUT TAXES BY MORE THAN $8
BILLION.
WITH THE PROPERTY TAX BURDEN
BEING LOWER TODAY THAN IT WAS IN
2011.
WE MADE INVESTMENTS IN WORKER
TRAINING, FROZE COLLEGE TUITION
AND MADE THE LARGEST INVESTMENT
EVER IN K-12 EDUCATION IN ACTUAL
DOLLARS.
WISCONSIN IS CERTAINLY ON A ROLL
AND I PROMISE YOU REPUBLICANS
WILL NOT ALLOW US TO SLIP
BACKWARDS.
WE'RE COMMITTED TO KEEPING YOUR
TAXES LOW, THE STATE PENSION
FULLY FUNDED AND OUR BUDGET
BALANCED.
WE CAN INCREASE OUR INVESTMENT
OF K-12 EDUCATION TO TWO-THIRDS
FUNDING, WITHOUT RAISING INCOME
OR SALES TAXES.
AS IT SOUNDS LIKE TONIGHT SOME
MIGHT PROPOSE.
AS PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN ONCE
SAID, "AS GOVERNMENT EXPANDS,
LIBERTY CONTRACTS."
HE ALSO SAID, "FREEDOM IS NEVER
MORE THAN ONE GENERATION AWAY
FROM EXTINCTION."
REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE
WON'T FORGET RONALD REAGAN'S
SENTIMENTS.
WE WON'T LET GOVERNMENT GROW OUT
OF CONTROL AND WE WON'T LET
SOCIALISM TO TAKE ROOT IN OUR
STATE.
I PROMISE YOU: REPUBLICANS WILL
FIGHT FOR AND PROTECT YOUR
FREEDOM, FROM UNNECESSARY RED
FLAG GUN LAWS TO THE EXPANSION
OF GOVERNMENT-RUN AND CONTROLLED
HEALTH CARE.
WE WILL KEEP SPENDING IN CHECK,
CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON THE
SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL CHOICE
PROGRAMS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY
PROTECT THE UNBORN.
HOWEVER, WE KNOW THAT WHEN
VOTERS CHOSE DIVIDED GOVERNMENT,
THEY DIDN'T CHOOSE INACTION.
IN NOVEMBER, THE VOTERS SAID
THEY WANT US TO FIND WAYS TO
WORK TOGETHER.
THAT'S WHY ONLY DAYS AFTER THE
INAUGURATION, ASSEMBLY
REPUBLICANS SENT GOVERNOR EVERS
A LETTER OUTLINING AREAS WHERE
WE THOUGHT WE COULD FIND
AGREEMENT.
IT'S MY HOPE THAT WE FOCUS ON
ISSUES THAT DON'T DIVIDE OUR
STATE, INSTEAD WE FOCUS ON
ISSUES THAT ARE EASY TO FIND
COMMON GROUND.
THE 11 IDEAS THAT WE PROPOSED IN
THE LETTER AREN'T MEANT TO BE AN
EXHAUSTIVE LIST BUT A STARTING
POINT.
THINGS LIKE ENHANCING INTERNET
ACCESS, PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS,
IMPROVING FOSTER CARE, AND
CUTTING MIDDLE CLASS TAXES
SHOULD ALL BE SLAM DUNKS.
WISCONSINITES WANT US TO WORK
TOGETHER AND THESE ARE SHARED
PRIORITIES THAT WE CAN BEGIN
WORKING ON.
THIS PAST WEEK, ASSEMBLY
REPUBLICANS MOVED FORWARD ON A
MIDDLE CLASS TAX CUT USING THE
GOVERNOR'S FRAMEWORK.
UNLIKE GOVERNOR EVERS' ORIGINAL
PROPOSAL, OUR PLAN DOESN'T RAISE
TAXES ON FARMERS OR
MANUFACTURERS.
IT DOESN'T RAISE TAXES ON
ANYONE.
IT SIMPLY USES THE GOP SURPLUS,
ALMOST $600 MILLION TO PAY FOR
IT.
THE TAX CUT IS TARGETED TO
FAMILIES MAKING UNDER $150,000
AND INDIVIDUALS MAKING UNDER
$100,000.
IT SAVES A MARRIED COUPLE WITH A
MEDIAN INCOME MORE THAN $300
ANNUALLY.
THAT'S REAL MONEY.
WE CAN MAKE THIS MIDDLE CLASS
TAX CUT A REALITY.
WE HAVE TO HAVE A WILLING HAND
ON THE OTHER SIDE.
THE ONLY BOTTOM LINE WE HAVE IS
WE ARE NOT GOING TO RAISE
SOMEBODY'S TAXES TO LOWER
ANOTHER'S WHEN THERE'S PLENTY
MONEY LEFT TO DO IT ON OUR OWN.
ANOTHER SHARED PRIORITY IS
PROTECTING THE INSURANCE
COVERAGE FOR PRE-EXISTING
CONDITIONS.
ASSEMBLY REPUBLICANS PROMISED
THAT IT WOULD BE THE FIRST BILL
WE PASS THIS SESSION, AND WE DID
JUST THAT EARLIER TODAY ON A
BIPARTISAN VOTE OF 76 IN FAVOR
AND 19 AGAINST.
THAT SURE SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING
THAT SHOULD GO TO GOVERNOR
EVERS' DESK AND HE SHOULD SIGN
AS QUICKLY AS HE CAN.
THE ASSEMBLY APPROVED THIS BILL
GUARANTEEING ACCESS TO INSURANCE
FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH
PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS
REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS TO
OBAMACARE.
THE THREAT WE HEARD TONIGHT TO
SAY WE WANT TO PULL OUT OF THE
LAWSUIT.
THE BILL ALSO ELIMINATES ANY
ANNUAL OR LIFETIME CAP ON HEALTH
INSURANCE IN WISCONSIN.
THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON WHY
GOVERNOR EVERS DOESN'T SIGN THE
PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS BILL
PASSED WITH A STRONG BIPARTISAN
MAJORITY OR APPROVE A MIDDLE
CLASS TAX CUT THAT HE PROPOSED
AND PAID FOR BY THE GOP SURPLUS.
TONIGHT GOVERNOR EVERS SAID HE
EXPECTS THE LEGISLATURE TO TAKE
UP THE BUDGET THAT HE CRAFTS
QUOTE "BY AND WITH THE PEOPLE OF
OUR STATE".
WE WILL CONSIDER THE IDEAS IN
HIS BUDGET BUT UNFORTUNATELY,
HIS IDEAS ARE ONLY FOCUSING ON
ONE SIDE OF THE AISLE AND NOT
IN THE MIDDLE WHERE WE THINK WE
SHOULD BE AND CERTAINLY NOT IN
THE VAST MAJORITY OF
WISCONSINITES ARE.
IF HIS BUDGET IS MERELY A
TAX-AND-SPEND WISH LIST, ONE
THAT WOULD NEVER PASS THIS
LEGISLATURE, HIS BUDGET WOULD
AMOUNT TO POLITICAL GAMESMANSHIP
AND THE WORDS OF BIPARTISANSHIP
HE SAID TONIGHT WILL RING
HOLLOW.
EVERY PERSON WHO RUNS FOR PUBLIC
OFFICE WANTS TO CHANGE THEIR
PART OF THEIR WORLD FOR THE
BETTER.
ONE OF MY FIRST INTRODUCTIONS
INTO POLITICS WAS BY MY SIXTH
GRADE TEACHER IN BURLINGTON.
SHE TOLD ME EVERYONE IN THE
UNITED STATES HAS A CHANCE TO
MAKE A DIFFERENCE. IN OUR
SYSTEM, GOOD PEOPLE RUN FOR
OFFICE BECAUSE THEY WANT TO DO
THINGS AND BETTER THE LIVES OF
THEIR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND
NEIGHBORS.
I KNOW DEMOCRATS WANT THAT.
I KNOW REPUBLICANS WANT THAT.
I KNOW EVERY WISCONSINITE WANTS
THAT.
THAT'S WHY I'M SO WORRIED THAT
HATE AND VITRIOL HAVE BECOME FAR
TOO PERVASIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA
THESE DAYS.
I BELIEVE IT DISCOURAGES PEOPLE
FROM ENTERING THE PUBLIC ARENA
AND FIGHTING FOR THEIR IDEAS.
WE ALL WANT WHAT'S BEST FOR
WISCONSIN, REGARDLESS OF OUR
PARTY.
SO LET'S DO A BETTER JOB
LISTENING TO ONE ANOTHER AND
UNDERSTANDING EACH OTHER'S
PERSPECTIVE.
IN CLOSING, LET ME REITERATE
TONIGHT WHAT REPUBLICANS ARE
GOING TO WORK FOR OVER THE NEXT
TWO YEARS.
WE WILL WORK TO KEEP THE TAX
BURDEN LOWER AND AFFORDABLE FOR
THE MIDDLE CLASS.
WE WILL PROTECT THOSE WITH
PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS.
WE WILL MAKE RECORD INVESTMENTS
IN K-12 EDUCATION.
AND WE WILL MOVE WISCONSIN
FORWARD.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME.
GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY,
AND GOD BLESS THE STATE OF
WISCONSIN.
>> THAT WAS REPUBLICAN
SPEAKER -- ASSEMBLY SPEAKER
ROBIN VOS WITH THE REPUBLICAN
RESPONSE.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE
STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS OR
THE REPUBLICAN RESPONSE AGAIN,
YOU CAN FIND IT LATER ON ON OUR
WEBSITE AT WPT.ORG.
WE WILL HAVE CONTINUING COVERAGE
THIS FRIDAY ON HERE AND NOW AT
7:30.
>> WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO WILL
CONTINUE TO FOLLOW DEVELOPMENTS
FROM THE CAPITOL.
YOU CAN SEE MORE DISCUSSIONS
TOMORROW MORNING FROM 6:00 TO
9:00 ON THE MORNING SHOW WITH
INDICATE ARCHER KENT.
HEAR MORE COVERAGE ON THE
MORNING EDITION AND DURING OUR
NEWSCASTS.
HOPE TO SEE YOU BACK HERE IN
LATE FEBRUARY FOR THE BUDGET
ADDRESS.
I'M SHAWN JOHNSON WITH WISCONSIN
PUBLIC RADIO.
>> THANKS FOR JOINING US.
THIS INCLUDES WISCONSIN'S PUBLIC
MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE 2019 STATE