Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers Delivers State of the State Address, Pledges to Protect Abortion Rights and Address Workforce Issues
In his annual State of the State address, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (D) made a resolute commitment to safeguarding abortion rights and tackling the pressing issue of workforce shortages. He vowed to veto any legislative attempt to restrict abortion access and announced a significant expansion of contraception coverage for BadgerCare Plus Medicaid enrollees.
Evers Vows to Veto Abortion Restrictions, Expand Contraception Access
Governor Evers’ unwavering stance on abortion rights reflects the overwhelming public support for reproductive freedom in Wisconsin and nationwide. Citing recent polls and the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s ruling against Republican-drawn legislative maps, he emphasized the importance of upholding fair representation and protecting individual liberties.
To further bolster access to reproductive healthcare, Governor Evers announced a major initiative to expand contraception coverage under the BadgerCare Plus program. Enrollees will now have access to over-the-counter contraception, including emergency contraception, without the need for a separate prescription. This move aims to ensure that contraception is readily available and affordable for all Wisconsin residents.
Addressing Workforce Shortages: A Call for Bipartisan Collaboration
Recognizing the critical need to address Wisconsin’s workforce shortages, Governor Evers declared 2024 the “Year of the Worker.” He called for bipartisan collaboration to tackle this pressing issue, emphasizing the need for paid family leave, investments in public education, and long-term solutions to child care shortages.
Despite previous rejections of his comprehensive workforce proposals by the Legislature, Governor Evers expressed his willingness to work with any legislator or stakeholder committed to finding meaningful solutions. He challenged Republicans to come up with alternative plans if they continue to oppose his proposals.
Combatting PFAS Pollution and Expanding Mental Health Services
Governor Evers reiterated his call for Republicans to release $125 million in funding, approved in the state budget, to combat pollution from PFAS, a group of toxic chemicals known as forever chemicals. He also urged them to invest more in mental health services statewide.
To address mental health challenges, Governor Evers announced the creation of a new interagency council tasked with reducing barriers and addressing gaps in mental health services. This council will work to ensure that Wisconsin residents have access to the support and resources they need.
Bipartisan Successes and Ongoing Challenges
Governor Evers highlighted bipartisan successes achieved in the past year, including an agreement on a plan to pay for repairs to the Milwaukee Brewers’ stadium, which will keep the team in Wisconsin through at least 2050.
However, Governor Evers acknowledged the ongoing challenges in addressing key issues such as redistricting, election administration, and tax cuts. He expressed his commitment to working with Republicans to find common ground and deliver results for the people of Wisconsin.
Republican Response: Criticism and Calls for Tax Cuts
Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos criticized Governor Evers’ speech, describing it as lacking new ideas and failing to mention tax cuts, a key Republican priority. Vos stated that Republicans would move forward with their tax cut plan and hoped that Governor Evers would sign it into law after reviewing it.
Conclusion
Governor Evers’ State of the State address set the tone for the upcoming year in Wisconsin, emphasizing the importance of protecting abortion rights, addressing workforce shortages, and investing in key areas such as mental health services and PFAS pollution cleanup. While there are ongoing challenges and differences between Republicans and Democrats, Governor Evers called for bipartisan collaboration to find solutions that benefit all Wisconsin residents.