GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) — Governor Tony Evers spoke in Green Bay Tuesday, mere hours after he Republican-led state legislature gaveled in and then immediately out of a special session Evers called to discuss expanding the state’s BadgerCare program.
The Governor came to town to promote his “Badger Bounceback” plan, and came to make the case that that some of the money the state could get from the Federal government as a result of expanding Badgercare could be used to move the coal piles south of downtown and construct a Green Bay visitor’s center.
“To say that the decision by Republicans in the legislature is a missed opportunity doesn’t even come close,” Evers said. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Evers spoke directly in front of those coal piles, which have been sitting just behind South Broadway street since 1904.
Appearing alongside Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich, County Executive Troy Streckenbach, State Representative Kristina Shelton, and Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO Brad Toll, Evers said that part of the roughly one billion dollars the state would get access to as a result of expanding BadgerCare would be used for over 50 projects across the state.
BadgerCare is the state’s Medicaid program.
When asked, Evers did admit that he has had no direct contact with legislative leaders to work towards hashing out an agreement.
“We sent them a letter,” said Evers. “We are in contact with their staff members on a regular basis and they knew this is what we are planning to do. This is no surprise.”
Republicans in the state legislature have gaveled in and out of several special sessions the Governor has called. Tuesday it took each chamber less than a minute to do so.
Evers said he would continue to push the issue and hopes Republicans change their minds.
