MADISON, Wis. — Last night, Governor Tony Evers delivered his fourth State of the State address and proudly reported that Wisconsin is “stronger and better than it was a year ago, or two years ago, or even three years ago.”
Gov. Evers has spent the past three years doing the right thing to move Wisconsin forward. Whether it’s investing in small businesses and family farms, fixing the damn roads, cutting taxes for families, delivering a record low unemployment rate, filling jobs, or doing what’s best for our kids by restoring school funding, Wisconsin is stronger and better than it was before Gov. Evers took office.
In his State of the State address, Gov. Evers highlighted Wisconsin’s booming economy, as well as the opportunity to do even more for our state — starting with his common sense plan to give a portion of Wisconsin’s projected record budget surplus back to the people.
“Indifference in this building is getting expensive,” said Gov. Evers during his address. “And let me be frank, the people who will bear the burden of inaction are almost certainly not the people sitting in this chamber tonight.”
As families across Wisconsin feel the effects of rising costs, Gov. Evers’ surplus plan will provide relief now. For example, a family of four would receive $600 back this year — that’s real money to help them cover daily costs like gas and groceries. Instead of letting this money collect dust in Madison, Gov. Evers is committed to getting it back to where it belongs: with taxpayers. Today, Gov. Evers signed an executive order calling for a special session on his common sense plan to deliver relief now.
Gov. Evers’ surplus plan will provide tax rebates for families, expand child care opportunities so folks can stress less and fill jobs in Wisconsin’s booming economy, invest in caregiving, and improve education quality — all while keeping property taxes down.
In addition to his common sense surplus plan, Gov. Evers also announced new investments in mental health services for the Wisconsin National Guard, a Blue Ribbon Commission on Veteran Opportunity, new funding for ambulance services to support nearly 800 emergency medical service providers, the “Get Kids Ahead” initiative to expand mental health services and support kids in districts across the state, and a tuition freeze and greater mental health funding for students at the University of Wisconsin System.
See below for a roundup of coverage on Gov. Evers’ State of the State address.
Cap Times: In fourth State of the State, Evers touts accomplishments, previews special session
UpNorthNews: Evers on Budget Surplus: ‘This Is the People’s Money, Give It Back.’
Wisconsin State Journal: Tony Evers calls for education spending, $150 checks to residents in state of the state address
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Gov. Tony Evers’ State of the State address pushes tax rebates, tuition relief
AP: Evers calls on Legislature to approve $150 taxpayer refund
Channel 3000: In State of the State, Evers touts tax cuts, pandemic aid and renews call for surplus checks
Badger Herald: Evers announces in-state tuition freeze, mental health investment for UW System campuses
