MADISON — Annette Olson, CEO of The John K. MacIver Institute for Public Policy issued the following statement in response to Gov. Tony Evers’ State of the State address:

“Tonight was the Governor’s 7th State of the State, but he was still talking about issues that should have been solved in his first term. Last year was supposed to be the year of the worker, but families are continuing to struggle to make ends meet. Now this year is the year of the kid? The year of the kid in 2025 will not create safe, learning environments when we do the same old thing budget after budget. Administrations grow, budgets bloat and kids suffer. 

“In reality, Gov. Evers is prioritizing illegal immigrants, red flag laws, and more money for teachers unions instead of creative, forward-thinking solutions that offer Wisconsin a positive path forward to a better future of increased opportunity and prosperity for our state. The bottom line is this: It’s just not working.”