MADISON, Wis. — Whether it’s delivering on his promise to expand affordable internet access, delivering middle class tax cuts and signing the first bipartisan budget in over a decade, increasing funding for public schools, or leading one of the nation’s strongest vaccine rollouts — Gov. Tony Evers has packed a lot of accomplishments into 2021.
Despite unprecedented challenges during his third year in office, Gov. Evers has rejected partisan politicking and focused on delivering bold and common sense solutions that benefit Wisconsinites in every corner of the state.
Let’s rewind and take a look back at some of Gov. Evers’ 2021 accomplishments:
Expanding Affordable Internet Access
Gov. Evers declared 2021 the Year of Broadband Access, and he has followed through on his promise by leading a historic broadband expansion effort — much like what was done with electricity over a hundred years ago — that has delivered more than $230 million this year to broadband expansion efforts in every corner of the state.
Since taking office, Gov. Evers has connected over 300,000 homes and businesses with high-speed affordable internet.
Cutting Taxes and Signing First Bipartisan Budget Since 2007
Gov. Evers was able to improve and sign Wisconsin’s first bipartisan budget since 2007, which includes one of the largest tax cuts in state history, restores the historic two-thirds funding commitment to public schools, and begins the fiscal year with the largest opening balance in Wisconsin history.
When Gov. Evers ran for office, he promised that he would cut middle class taxes by 10 percent. This year, he’s not only delivered on his promise, but exceeded it by cutting middle class taxes by 15 percent.
Doing What’s Best for Our Kids
As a former public school teacher, Gov. Evers has long said that what’s best for our kids is what’s best for our state. Vetoing the budget in its entirety would’ve meant our kids and schools would lose out on $2.3 billion in federal funds 一 this wasn’t an option. That’s why Gov. Evers improved the budget, and for the first time in two decades, the state finally hit its two-thirds funding commitment to public schools.
But, to continue healing after a decade of budget cuts under the Walker-Kleefisch administration, our schools need all the help they can get 一 that’s why Gov. Evers followed through on his promise to invest an additional $100 million in our students, which provided every school in the state with an additional $133.72 per pupil.
Supporting Small Businesses and Family Farms
Small businesses and family farms are the backbone of our economy. Gov. Evers has delivered common sense solutions to strengthen main streets and help our agriculture producers continue to thrive. Gov. Evers’ Main Street grant program has helped revitalize hundreds of downtowns across Wisconsin by helping open nearly 2,000 small businesses. Gov. Evers has also directed more than $75 million in grants directly to small minority-owned businesses.
In 2021, Gov. Evers’ Wisconsin Farm Support Program delivered another $50 million in direct payments to Wisconsin farmers. This is on top of the $50 million in federal relief funding Gov. Evers directed to farmers and the state’s agriculture industry. These payments are helping farmers in Wisconsin continue to be some of the top producers in the country.
Investing in Apprenticeships and Workforce Training Programs
Gov. Evers is committed to building a strong Wisconsin, and in 2021, he’s invested over $130 million in workforce development programs that are creating jobs, apprenticeships, and training programs in every corner of the state.
Gov. Evers knows there is no “one-size-fits-all” to workforce challenges, but with these crucial investments, he is empowering local officials to do what’s best for their communities. Gov. Evers has directed $60 million to build long-term solutions for the state’s workforce challenges and earlier this fall, Gov. Evers’ delivered grants that created employment opportunities for 2,300 Wisconsinites. By investing in development, Gov. Evers is solving long-standing workforce challenges and ensuring businesses and workers are able to prosper.
Nation-Leading Vaccine Rollout
Earlier this year, Gov. Evers led a nation-leading vaccine rollout that even received praise from Wisconsin Republican leaders. Throughout the pandemic, Gov. Evers has listened to the science and strived to save lives, and throughout 2021, he has worked tirelessly to get Wisconsinites vaccinated.
Whether it’s delivering free cream puffs to those vaccinated at the State Fair or getting nearly 150,000 Wisconsinites vaccinated through his $100 incentive program, Gov. Evers has focused on saving lives and ensuring our economic recovery continues.
Defending Democracy
Gov. Evers believes that the right of everyone to vote in our elections isn’t partisan, it’s a fundamental right that we have to protect. Gov. Evers is committed to making sure every eligible voter is able to participate in the democratic process and that Wisconsin’s elections remain fair, secure, and accurate.
Just this year, Gov. Evers has stopped six Republican-backed voter suppression bills that would’ve made it harder for folks to vote and vetoed gerrymandered redistricting maps that would’ve cemented Republican control of the legislature for another decade. These proposals were partisan politics at their worst — Republican legislators using their already gerrymandered grip on power to shove through voter suppression bills and new redistricting maps. For as long as he is in office, Gov. Evers will continue to stand as a “sea wall for fair elections.”
Protecting Healthcare
While Gov. Evers has been working to make healthcare more accessible since he first took office, Republicans have focused on turning back the clock on healthcare access and chipping away at reproductive rights. Last month, surrounded by healthcare professionals and activists, Gov. Evers vetoed five bills that would’ve drastically reduced reproductive rights in Wisconsin.
These bills, passed by Republicans in the legislature, are a part of a national effort to ban abortion and interfere with a person’s ability to make their own reproductive decisions. Here are the facts as Gov. Evers sees them: access to reproductive care is a right and he will veto any legislation that infringes on healthcare or reproductive rights.
Year in Review
Holy mackerel, Gov. Evers has accomplished a lot in 2021.
During Gov. Evers’ first term, he has brought common sense leadership and Wisconsin values back to the governor’s office — and 2021 was no different. Earlier this summer, Gov. Evers launched his re-election campaign by declaring, “Wisconsin, I’m in. I’m running for re-election. We’ve accomplished a lot in the last few years, but we’re just getting started.”
