Governor Evers was behind the podium last night for his State of the State speech and as you might imagine, the reaction was split depending on who you talk to.
CLIFF NOTES: Wisconsin’s governor is again giving the Republican-controlled legislature a to-do list. Governor Tony Evers last night used his State of the State speech to call for a special session on the state’s farm crisis. He wants lawmakers to act next week. The governor also announced a new task force for student debt and a blue ribbon panel to draw Wisconsin’s next political map.
REACTION: How Wisconsin lawmakers view the governor’s State of the State speech depends, in large part, on which party they’re in. Republicans in Madison say the governor should be looking to work with lawmakers, not order them around amd almost universally criticized the governor’s speech. The Republican leaders in the legislature say Governor Evers used his State of the State to once again order lawmakers into action rather than offer to work with them.
Democrats at the statehouse by and large said the speech, and the policy goals that the governor offered, are a bold step forward for Wisconsin.
HERE LOCALLY: Lawmakers in western Wisconsin are split on what they heard from Governor Tony Evers during his State of the State speech. State Rep. Rob Summerfield said last night’s speech sets the table for some important issues like helping farmers and preventing suicide in the state. But state Senator Kathy Bernier said she’s disappointed because Governor Evers chose to make the speech more about politics than working together with lawmakers.
