Sen. Darling: Statement on State of the State address

Madison – On Wednesday, State Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) issued the following statement after Governor Tony Evers’ 2020 State of the State Address:

“I was encouraged to hear Governor Evers celebrate the investments in the budget passed by the Joint Committee on Finance and Republicans – even though not a single Democrat voted in favor of the plan. Ironically, Evers’ 95% bipartisan rate could have been even higher if Democrats had supported these investments instead of playing politics.

Wisconsin continues to thrive because Republicans prevented Governor Evers from hiking taxes by more than $1 billion and putting billions more on the credit cards.

Instead, Republicans delivered a balanced budget that taxpayers could afford. We delivered a middle-class tax cut and provided the largest real dollar increase for K-12 education in our state’s history. Our reforms and careful budgeting helped turn around Wisconsin’s economy, and we won’t go back.

It’s great to hear Governor Evers is traveling the state, but too often his ideas continue to originate from Madison. He ignored rural Wisconsin in his last budget and even tried to raise taxes on businesses that supply farmers. I’m glad he is realizing his mistake.

I’m disappointed the governor continues to ignore the workforce shortage in our state. It’s also shocking that the former DPI Secretary refuses to address why so many students aren’t reading at their grade level. Instead of lecturing, I encourage him to listen to voices throughout Wisconsin and learn to work together on these issues.

I’m proud of the work my colleagues and I have accomplished, not only this session, but over the last decade. Our reforms and investments are working. The state of the state is strong. Now, it’s time to continue moving Wisconsin forward.”