WI State of the State address; Gov. Evers focuses on workforce challenges
MADISON, Wis. - Gov. Tony Evers delivered his 2024 State of the State address on Tuesday evening, Jan. 23.
The governor focused on addressing the state's "generational workforce challenges" and "highlight the Evers Administration’s efforts to find long-term solutions to the state’s workforce shortages."
He declared 2024 the "Year of the Worker" in the address.
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"This past year has shown there’s much we can accomplish when we work together," Evers said. "Today, there are pressing issues that demand our work bridging partisan divides continues."
The governor also highlighted bipartisan accomplishments from the last year, including an increase in state support to local communities and an effort to keep Major League Baseball and the Milwaukee Brewers in Wisconsin through 2050.
In the address, the governor announced he is directing the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to issue a standing order that will remove barriers for over-the-counter contraception, including emergency contraception, for BadgerCare Plus members.
Last summer, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first daily, oral contraceptive pill for use without a prescription, which is expected to be available online and in stores later this year. BadgerCare Plus currently covers over-the-counter emergency contraception and daily contraception with a prescription from a provider. Once the contraception is available on shelves, BadgerCare Plus members will be able to go to any pharmacy carrying it, and the pharmacist will use DHS’s standing order to serve as the prescription to cover over-the-counter contraception, including emergency contraception, allowing the patient to receive the medication with no out-of-pocket costs.
Evers also announced the approval of an additional conservation easement covering 54,898 acres of the Pelican River Forest to complete one of the largest conservation projects in Wisconsin history. Altogether, over 67,000 acres of the Pelican River Forest will be protected, ensuring the forest will remain open to the public in perpetuity for outdoor recreation activities such as fishing, hunting, skiing, trapping, and hiking.
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Reaction
WisGOP Chairman Brian Schimming
"From an economic recession to cheerleading for DEI, Governor Tony Evers has dragged Wisconsin down over the course of his tenure. Wisconsinites know our state can do better than the failed policies and uninspired vision of Evers."
Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler
"As Governor Evers reflected on the accomplishments of the past year in his sixth State of the State address tonight, we celebrated the bright future that lies ahead of us. With historic investments in education and infrastructure and comprehensive plans to support working Wisconsin families, Wisconsinites can trust that under Governor Evers’ leadership, our state is in good hands.
"In the past year alone, Governor Evers helped to win a historic increase in shared revenue, the state dollars which help local governments to fund essential public services like EMS, fire, law enforcement, and public transportation, and wielded his veto power to secure long-term increases in public education funding. And in a victory all of Wisconsin can celebrate, Governor Evers negotiated a bipartisan deal that will keep the Brewers home in Milwaukee for years to come. We recognize that every victory won for Wisconsin was hard-fought, and we know we have so much work left to do. Governor Evers has laid out comprehensive plans to address Wisconsinites’ most pressing concerns, including improving access to affordable housing, growing our workforce, providing tax relief for working families, and protecting access to child care. Now it’s time for our state legislators to come to the table and do what’s right for Wisconsin.
"As part of this commitment, Governor Evers declared tonight that 2024 is the Year of the Worker, and we as Wisconsin Democrats commend his declaration. Over the past year, we’ve seen tremendous growth in our state’s economy, and have witnessed power returning to Wisconsin workers after years under Scott Walker’s anti-union, anti-worker administration. Governor Evers recognizes the challenges ahead of us and will always work to bring people together to find solutions that make Wisconsin stronger and better. We will have his back every step of the way.
"There’s critical work yet to be done to support working Wisconsin families, and to invest in the future of our state. We look forward to continuing to partner with Governor Evers and Democrats in the Legislature to continue to do the right thing for Wisconsin."
State Superintendent Jill Underly
"I am proud to stand with Gov. Evers in support of Wisconsin’s kids. My guiding principle as an educator and a leader has always been to center what is best for kids, and our governor knows what is best for our kids is what is best for our state.
"Doing what is best for our kids must include responding to the governor’s call for investment in child care. Reliable, quality child care is a critical need for our state’s economy today, and for our state’s future tomorrow.
"Our state has the resources to also now more robustly fund public education, and I renew my call for the legislature to use a portion of our state’s $7 billion surplus to strengthen the future of our state by investing in public schools, starting with increasing the special education reimbursement rate. The current rate is at an untenable level, and investing in special education funding is an investment that supports every kid in every public school. We also must invest more in school mental health services, nutrition support, bilingual/bicultural aid, and sparsity aid. If we want our kids to be prepared and ready for their future, we need to invest in them now.
"I also want to highlight the work the DPI has undertaken in partnership with the Department of Workforce Development to develop the teacher apprenticeship pilot program, which the governor mentioned tonight. In the face of our significant workforce challenges, we must implement sustainable solutions to teacher recruitment, retention, and diversification, and I know we will have more to say on apprenticeship in the coming months."
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin Executive Director Steven Webb II
"Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin appreciates Governor Evers' leadership and commitment to reproductive freedom in our state. We applaud the efforts by the governor in directing the Department of Health Services to cover over-the-counter contraception for BadgerCare Plus members. Increasing access to contraception, including emergency contraception, ensures that everyone in our state has the freedom to make their own reproductive healthcare decisions without interference by politicians. We thank Governor Evers for reaffirming his commitment to veto any bill that takes away reproductive freedom and to look forward to working with the governor to protect and expand reproductive rights."
State Sen. Dan Feyen (R-Fond du Lac)
"There are many issues facing Wisconsin as we head into 2024. Rising consumer prices and high cost of living is hurting families all across our state. This is a national problem, but there is something our state government can do to ease the economic pressure this is putting on Wisconsinites. This is why I have been honored to support repeated attempts to cut taxes for hardworking families in our State. Government has been collecting more money than it needs to operate and returning this money to the taxpayers is long overdue.
"We must also continue to tackle or workforce issues head on. Wisconsin needs to eliminate barriers to entering the workforce through apprenticeships and compete on a national scale to get skilled workers to come to Wisconsin to live, work, and play.
"One way to attract workers is through affordable housing. I’m proud of the work we did this session to boost development and create workforce housing. This previous budget invested $525 million in housing packages. We have more work to be done on this front, but this was a monumental step.
"Governor Evers brought up child care issues and I agree there is work to be done on this front. This is why I’ve introduced Senate Bill 623 which will help get the business community involved in solving this crisis. We will continue to look at more ways that we can change regulations and target investments to stabilize Wisconsin’s child care.
"I’m ready and excited to work for the people of the 18th Senate District in 2024."
State Rep. Dave Considine (D-Baraboo)
"The people of Wisconsin deserve popular investments in areas like public education, affordable healthcare, workforce housing, and childcare. I am encouraged to hear that Governor Evers remains committed to working for the people of Wisconsin.
"Tonight we heard about important investments in the conservation of our state’s natural resources. Last year, Governor Evers approved a $125 million investment in PFAS removal and remediation. Today he urged the Legislature to release these funds. We must address PFAS. They are a threat to human health and our environment.
"We must also address the mental health crisis that persists in our state. Governor Evers remains dedicated to improving mental health in our state. In his address, he announced the creation of an Interagency Council on Mental Health and the development of a statewide Mental Health Action Plan. This is the initiative we need in order to make a difference.
"It is obvious. Governor Evers has the right priorities for Wisconsin. I encourage my colleagues across the aisle to join me in accomplishing the will of the people."
State Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine)
"Tony Evers is a broken record. Every year, his speech is nothing more than asking for blank checks to expand government without guiderails. More money for public schools. More money for bureaucrats. Virtue signaling over problem solving. Subsidize child care companies rather help people pay for child care. Partisan attacks cloaked in a mild-mannered, soft voice. Not a single word of returning the record budget surplus to taxpayers. And this year, a bizarre shout out to our do-nothing Senator, Tammy Baldwin.
"He’s almost plagiarizing his speech from last year, and the year before that, and the year before that, and before that, and before that. While the words in the speech may change every January, the message doesn’t. He’s devoid of new ideas, a bystander in his own administration."
State Sen. Melissa Agard (D-Madison)
"Over the past year, under the leadership of Governor Evers, we have made strides in moving Wisconsin forward toward a brighter, more equitable future. As he has done every year since he took office, Governor Evers has earnestly and authentically assessed the state’s needs and set his priorities accordingly.
"Tonight, we heard the governor passionately advocate for increased mental health care access by creating a statewide plan and cross agency partnerships. He also set forth a plan to address the interconnected issues of Wisconsin’s workforce challenges and looming child care crisis. I will continue to lift up Governor Evers' call for expanded child care access and paid family leave. With the governor declaring 2024 the year of the worker - it’s time to highlight hardworking Wisconsinites and honor them with pro-Labor policies.
"Environmental issues have been and will continue to be a key priority for the Evers administration. I join the governor in his calling on Republicans to release the $125 million in funding to mitigate PFAS contamination in Wisconsin. Everyone must have confidence that the water in our taps and in our lakes and waterways are clear of damaging forever chemicals. Under Governor Evers leadership we have also increased our renewable energy infrastructure with solar energy powering many of our communities thanks to critical investments in solar projects.
"Governor Evers also expressed his continued support for abortion access in Wisconsin. A woman’s right to choose is vital and reproductive freedoms in Wisconsin are not negotiable, they are necessary health care.
"Finally, the governor highlighted his work in supporting our local communities. The historic bipartisan shared revenue bill passed earlier this session was a game changer for municipalities and counties all over Wisconsin. This desperately needed increase in shared revenue will help support public safety and first responders, and provide stronger human services.
"Today and everyday I’m grateful we have Governor Evers working for us to make Wisconsin a state of opportunity and freedom for all."
State Sen. Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point)
"It has become blatantly obvious that Gov. Evers is more concerned with pointing fingers and scoring political points than actually governing and helping the people of Wisconsin without emptying their pocketbooks. To address the workforce shortage in our state, the governor wants taxpayers to fund a new state agency. Legislative Republicans would rather make the state more business-friendly by providing tax relief. Those attempts have failed thanks to Gov. Evers’ veto pen.
"Gov. Evers also claims Wisconsin is facing a looming child care crisis and that inaction by Republicans is to blame. However, the governor’s primary solution is to blindly throw money at the Child Care Counts program without having any real plan of action.
"Legislative Republicans have offered proposals to actually fix the issue without taxing residents out of their homes. For example, we have introduced bills that would change state regulations to boost child care providers’ capacity, create a revolving loan fund program and establish a child care reimbursement account. We have also proposed expanding the child and dependent care tax credit so families can better afford to have children and stay in the workforce. Yet, Gov. Evers has either vetoed or promised to veto every single one of those measures.
"The governor may say that he wants the Legislature to bring forward ideas to tackle the child care crisis, but it is quite clear that he is only interested in his own ideas. Throughout the night, Gov. Evers’ remarks sounded more like a stump speech than a State of the State address. I heard very little about policy items that would result in the governor working with the Legislature. Wisconsin deserves better than this."
Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO
"Tonight Governor Evers declared 2024 the Year of the Worker. Governor Evers’ focus on workforce development, training and skills education, and infrastructure improvements have led to historically low unemployment, record apprenticeship levels, and good job opportunities for Wisconsinites across the state. In tonight’s State of the State Address, Governor Evers laid out a comprehensive plan to reduce barriers to employment and empower workers.
Thanks to Governor Evers’ outstanding financial stewardship, Wisconsin is in the best fiscal health in state history. It’s time for elected leaders in Madison to come together to pass bipartisan initiatives to stabilize child care, expand paid family leave, grow public transit, and fund public education and public services so we can meet the needs of the 21st century workforce.
The commonsense proposals outlined by Governor Evers in his sixth State of the State Address will encourage and support a thriving middle class with strong unions and increased economic opportunity and should be supported by all in the Wisconsin Legislature."
Excerpts from Gov. Evers’ 2024 State of the State address
"I completed my fourth 72-county tour of Wisconsin this past December. I’ve been to every county at least four times, some many more. And no matter who I’m talking to or where I go—our largest communities or our smallest towns and villages—Wisconsinites tell me, ‘We need more affordable housing.’ And I agree.
"Building affordable housing in every corner of our state is critical to making sure that Wisconsin is prepared to meet the needs of a 21st-century workforce in a 21st-century economy. Since I took office, we’ve invested in building nearly 15,000 affordable housing units—nearly 2,500 last year alone—and more than 24,000 housing units total. And we’re not stopping there. This past year, we worked together to invest more than $500 million in workforce housing—one of the largest investments in our state’s history.
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"This past year has shown there’s much we can accomplish when we work together. Today, there are pressing issues that demand our work bridging partisan divides continues.
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From my vantage point, three things are key to addressing our state’s workforce challenges: first, we must find a long-term solution to our state’s looming child care crisis; second, we must expand paid family leave; and third, we must invest in public education at every level, from early childhood to our technical colleges and universities.
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"Wisconsin faces a looming child care crisis—costs to working families are skyrocketing, we don’t have enough child care providers, and the providers we have are struggling to keep the lights on. And the effects are intuitive—if a kid no longer has child care or a parent can’t afford it, someone’s going to have to stay home with them. Folks, lack of accessible, affordable child care is a statewide workforce issue.
"Without continued investments in Child Care Counts, our workforce will suffer mightily: 2,110 child care programs are projected to close. 87,000 kids could be without child care. We could lose over 4,880 child care jobs. That’s about a half a billion dollar economic impact on our state.
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"I will never expect Republicans and Democrats in this building to agree with each other—or me, for that matter—on the merits of every policy 100 percent of the time. That’s democracy. But there is no excuse for not being willing to work together on what everyone agrees is the most pressing issue facing our state.
"I’ve introduced a comprehensive workforce plan. Twice. If anyone on either side of this aisle has a better plan than mine that not only prevents the collapse of our state’s child care industry but also helps us compete against our neighboring states for talent and invests in public education at every level to prepare our kids for the future, let’s hear it. I will work with any legislator, any partner, any stakeholder who’s willing to engage in meaningful conversations on these issues to do the right thing for Wisconsin."