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Madison, Wisconsin — Gov. Tony Evers won’t address the budget until next month. But the Wisconsiner was given a big preview of his spending priorities in his annual state address Tuesday night.
Strengthening the middle class, maintaining the state’s economic momentum, and finding ways to attract and retain talent in the Wisconsin workforce were all priorities highlighted by the governor.
Given the state’s projected surplus of $6.6 billion, the move shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.
Democrats give Gov. Tony Evers a standing ovation. (Spectrum News 1/Mandy Hague)
“It means we can continue to make the smart investments that we have needed for so long and continue to make progress. Because we want them to,” Evers said.
In a nearly 45-minute long speech, Governor Evers declared 2023 the “Year of Mental Health” and announced plans to spend more than $500 million to expand access to services throughout Badger State. This includes his $270 million to make the governor’s “Get Kids Ahead” program permanent.
But classroom investments don’t stop there, and additional funding is needed to improve the educator pipeline.
“For years, communities have raised their own property taxes to keep local schools alive,” Evers said. “And today, we can afford to do more. So the pre-election promise to use some of the state’s historic surplus to make historic investments in our children and schools. I intend to fulfill
Democratic lawmakers applaud Gov. Tony Evers’ speech Tuesday night. (Spectrum News 1/Mandy Hague)
Evers, who is often called the “education governor,” has also vowed to cut taxes, especially for the middle class. The governor said Wisconsin’s reforms can be done without putting the state into debt or cutting critical services such as public safety.
“When we implement tax cuts, and when we implement tax cuts, we intend to do so responsibly by ensuring that taxes are kept low now and in the future,” said Governor Evers.
But a Republican-proposed flat tax was deemed “reckless” by the governor on Tuesday night. Evers said lawmakers shouldn’t splurge on the $3.5 billion in subsidies to benefit Wisconsin’s richest 20%.
Republicans will listen to Gov. Tony Evers’ legislative priorities. (Spectrum News 1/Mandy Hague)
“Now is the time to stay smart, save smart, and be bold with rational investments to continue building a lasting legacy of prosperity,” said Governor Evers.
Education and tax reform aren’t the only big areas where Democrats and Republicans need to find compromises.
Governor Evers also proposed revenue-sharing reform on Tuesday night, calling for 20% of the state’s sales tax revenue to be returned to local communities.
Republican counterargument
Republicans in Wisconsin reacted lukewarm to Governor Evers’ state speech.
Congress Speaker Robin Voss released the official Republican response, saying that Wisconsiners still routinely struggle with inflation and that his party has a better approach to tackle it.
“I think this is the quintessential Tony Evers,” Voss told reporters after his speech. He didn’t spend a lot of time talking to the whole room.”
House Speaker Robin Voss listens to Governor Tony Evers. (Spectrum News 1/Mandy Hague)
Meanwhile, other party leaders were disappointed with how focused the governor was on fiscal policy.
“Governor Evers has failed to offer meaningful solutions to Wisconsin’s most pressing problems: inflation, rampant crime, labor shortages, and struggling schools. Evers’ speech was about throwing money at the problem at a time when you want to and are tired of overspending,” WisGOP President Brian Schimming said in a statement.
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