Governor Evers is calling on lawmakers to follow the will of the people, before they finish their work for the rest of the year.
He gave his second State of the State speech at the Capitol last night. He thinks there’s a lot of work for lawmakers to get done, before anyone takes a vacation. The governor told lawmakers “there’s no rest for the elected.”
Evers says he’s going to call a special session of the Legislature to help dairy farmers.
He’s proposing a three-part plan, and one would create a new initiative to increase exports. He wants 20 percent of the country’s milk supply to come from Wisconsin, by 2024.
Evers also thinks the state should provide more local support, through programs like the UW-Extension. He’s calling for an expansion of the Farm-to-School program, and a new Farm-to-Fork initiative that would connect farmers and their products with universities, technical colleges, hospitals and local businesses across the state.
The governor also wants a special commission to put together long-term strategies for farmers around the state, by talking with them. He’s proposing a program to get mental health services to farmers, as well.
Evers says the state is losing an average of two dairy farms a day. He believes if lawmakers wait to take action, their job will only be more challenging.
Evers says he’s going to create a nonpartisan group to redraw the state’s political maps. He says past proposals haven’t gone anywhere, so he’s going to sign an executive order.
The governor says the group will travel around the state, and draw fair, impartial maps for the Legislature to take up next year. He says election officials, lobbyists, and high-paid consultants will not be involved.
He points to the support from county boards in Wisconsin. He says 50 of the 72 want a nonpartisan process.
Evers wants to tackle student debt. He believes it impacts not just the students, but their families. Evers says their debt prevents people from buying a car, starting a business, saving for retirement, and starting a family.
He’s going to put together a task force to work on the issue.
Evers is also touting the increases in public school funding that are included in the current state budget.
