WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Governor Tony Evers and Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg marked Earth Week by planting a tree in Marathon Park on Friday.
Evers says taking care of the state’s environment and natural resources is not only the right thing to do, but it’s also good for the economy.
“People don’t want to come to Wisconsin to go to places that aren’t kept up. They want to see things in good condition. So the environment is important, but it’s important to our economy too,” said Evers.
Evers says tourism in Wisconsin is a billion-dollar industry. The white pine tree was planted near the main entrance to the park off Stewart Avenue with help from the County’s Department of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry.
He also took questions regarding marijuana in the state, saying if Republicans can pass a bill legalizing pot for medical purposes he will sign it as long as it doesn’t contain any “poison pills.”
Evers says the end goal remains the legalization of pot for both medical and recreational use by adults but he’s not going to let good be the enemy of perfect.
“The speaker [Robin Vos] made it clear that this isn’t a two-step thing. But at the end of the day this is something the people of Wisconsin have asked for.”
Medical marijuana programs are in place in Iowa and Minnesota. Recreational use is legal in Michigan and Illinois. Evers notes that Wisconsin residents have not said they’d like to see some form of legalization through non-binding referendum questions, they’ve also been “voting with their feet” by going to states where it’s legal to purchase.
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