MADISON, WI (WRN) – Governor Tony Evers delivers the annual State of the State address tonight.
Due to precautions in place for COVID-19, the governor will deliver his remarks remotely.
In the address, Gov. Evers will highlight priorities for 2021. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos will provide the Republican response.
State Rep. Jim Steineke, R-Kaukauna tells FOX 11 he’s optimistic about what he’ll hear from the governor.
“Hopefully he’ll present a much more reasonable budget, in the face of this pandemic and the revenue shortfalls, but that remains to be seen whether he’ll do that or not.”
Assembly Democratic Leader Rep. Gordon Hintz, D-Oshkosh tells FOX 11 he’s glad Evers made the decision to virtually address the Legislature, as well as the people of Wisconsin.
“I expect him to take it seriously. With the attention on him, about just how we’re going to get through this, how the policy and the budget is going to reflect the challenges that we face in the state right now.”
Evers says departments have had to cut more than $300 million total.
“We lapsed $70 million, in addition another$ 300 million, so we’re well over $300 million dollars in this fiscal year that we have cut from the budget and lapsed.”
Steineke says he believes the budget isn’t looking too bad right now.
“Our budget is in much less of a precarious position than most other states throughout the country. We’re in decent shape, but there are still tough decisions that are going to have to be made.”
Hintz says, without a doubt, the pandemic is going to play a role in the budget.
“I do expect it to be a tougher budget.”
COVID isn’t the only thing the Governor might address. After a tumultuous year of protests over police brutality and racism, Evers’ executive budget could also include criminal justice reforms.
“I think you’ll hear the governor speak about the need to act on Wisconsin’s racial disparities, not just in reaction to what we had immediately, but really of what have been longstanding disparities, in terms of opportunity for African Americans.”
But Evers says he has his priorities for funding.
“That’s going to be around health care, education and infrastructure. Those are the things the people of Wisconsin have consistently talked about, and we’re hopeful to make some progress even in these difficult times.”
Regardless of what we’ll hear from the governor, one thing he says likely won’t happen is a tax increase.
“We’ll try everything we can, not to do that,” said Evers. “Clearly, increasing taxes has a direct impact on a lot of people that are struggling.”
WisconsinEye, PBS Wisconsin and Wisconsin Public Radio will provide live coverage beginning at 6:30. The Governor’s address is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
