PBS Wisconsin Public Affairs

>> GOOD EVENING, WISCONSINITES.

THANKS FOR TUNING IN.

I'M TONY EVERS, PROUD TO BE THE 46TH GOVERNOR OF OUR GREAT STATE TO PRESENT MY BUDGET TO YOU THIS EVENING.

I WANT TO MENTION THAT TODAY IS A PRETTY IMPORTANT DAY AND THAT'S NOT JUST BECAUSE I'M GIVING MY SECOND-EVER BUDGET ADDRESS.

IT'S BECAUSE TODAY WE HAVE A SPRING PRIMARY ACROSS OUR STATE.

AND THERE ARE A LOT OF IMPORTANT THINGS ON THE BALLOT, FROM STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF OUR SCHOOLS, LOCAL MAYORS, JUDGES AND SO MANY OTHERS.

POLLS CLOSE IN LESS THAN A HOWEVER, SO IF YOU HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO VOTE YET, HIT PAUSE, GRAB YOUR PHOTO IDEA, MASK AND PROOF OF RESIDENCE.

FIND YOUR POLLING LOCATION BY GOING TO myvote.wi.gov AND GET THERE RIGHT AWAY.

REMEMBER, YOU JUST NEED TO BE IN LINE MY 8:00 P.M. TO VOTE.

VOTING IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR DEMOCRACY, SO DON'T WORRY, I PROMISE I WON'T BE OFFENDED AND I'LL STILL BE HERE ON YOUTUBE WHEN YOU GET BACK.

WHEN I GAVE MY STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS LAST MONTH, I TALKED ABOUT THE STRUGGLES WE FACED THIS PAST YEAR AND THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE FACED AND WILL FACE IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

I KNOW I DON'T HAVE TO TELL YOU HOW HARD THIS PAST YEAR HAS BEEN BECAUSE WE'VE LIVED IT.

YOU'VE LIVED IT.

PEOPLE ACROSS OUR STATE AND COUNTRY SPENT THE BETTER PART OF THE LAST YEAR WORRIED, WORRIED ABOUT HOW YOU'LL SEE A DOCTOR OR FORWARD YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS, WORRIED ABOUT TAKING CARE OF YOUR LOVED ONES FROM A DISTANCE, WORRIED ABOUT AFFORDING CHILD CARE FOR YOUR KIDS AND HOW THIS PANDEMIC HAS AFFECTED THEM.

I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN SLEEPLESS NIGHTS WORRYING ABOUT FINDING WORK OR BEING SAFE AT WORK, WORRYING ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE BUSINESS YOU BUILT FROM THE GROUND UP, WORRIED ABOUT MAKING SURE YOU CAN KEEP THE LIGHTS ON AND HEAT ON AT HOME.

SO, AS YOU'RE WATCHING TONIGHT, FILLED WITH A YEAR'S WORTH OF WORRY, I KNOW YOU'RE ALSO WONDERING WHETHER WE CAN CLAW OUT OF THIS CRISIS, WHERE WE CAN GO FROM HERE, HOW WE GET BACK ON TRACK AND WHAT'S NEXT.

WELL, TONIGHT, WISCONSIN, I WANT TO TELL YOU THIS.

IT'S GOING TO BE OKAY.

WE ARE GOING TO BE OKAY.

AS BOTH A STATE AND A COUNTRY, WE FIND OURSELVES WITH A DECISION TO MAKE.

WHEN THIS PANDEMIC IS OVER, WE CAN GO BACK TO THE WAY THINGS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AND ALWAYS HAVE BEEN, OR WE CAN TAKE THIS MOMENT TO DEMAND A FUTURE WE DREAM.

WE CAN IGNORE THE PROBLEMS THIS PANDEMIC BROUGHT TO THE FOREFRONT, OR WE CAN FACE THEM AND FIX THEM TOGETHER.

WE CAN MAKE EXCUSES FOR THE LAST DECADE OF DECISION-MAKERS WHO HAVE CUT CORNERS OR WE CAN COMMIT RIGHT NOW TO START PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST.

WELL, WISCONSIN, WE AREN'T GOING TO RETRACE OUR STEPS BACK TO THE WAY THINGS WERE.

WE AREN'T GOING TO FOLLOW THE MAP BACK TO WHERE WE STARTED WHEN THIS PANDEMIC BEGAN.

AFTER ALL WE'VE BEEN THROUGH, WE AREN'T GOING TO APOLOGIZE FOR WANTING MORE FOR EACH OTHER, FOR OUR NEIGHBORS, FOR OUR KIDS, OUR PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS AND THE STATE'S FUTURE.

SO I WANT TO TELL YOU SOMETHING TONIGHT AND I NEED YOU TO REALLY HEAR ME: DON'T LET ANYONE TELL YOU WE CAN'T AFFORD TO MAKE HEALTH CARE MORE ACCESSIBLE WHILE SAVING YOUR HARD-EARNED TAX DOLLARS.

DON'T LET ANYONE TELL YOU WE CAN'T AFFORD TO FULLY FUND OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS WHILE CUTTING TAXES AT THE SAME TIME.

DON'T LET ANYONE TELL YOU WE CAN'T AFFORD TO SUPPORT OUR FARMERS, OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES AND OUR SMALL BUSINESSES WHILE PROTECTING OUR NATURAL RESOURCES AND INVESTING IN NEW, CLEAN JOBS.

DON'T LET ANYONE TELL YOU WE CAN'T SPEND WITHIN OUR MEANS WHILE STILL SUPPORTING WISCONSINITES WHO NEED HELP TO RECOVER.

BECAUSE THEY'RE WRONG.

WE CAN.

I'VE GOT A BLUEPRINT THAT WILL DO JUST THAT AND MAKE SURE WE BOUNCE BACK AND BETTER THAN BEFORE.

BUT I DIDN'T SIT IN A ROOM AND WRITE IT ALL MYSELF.

I'M NOT ABOUT TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT YOU WITHOUT YOU.

SO JUST LIKE WE DID TWO YEARS AGO, WE WENT DIRECTLY TO FOLKS FROM ACROSS OUR STATE TO ASK FOR YOUR HELP PUTTING TOGETHER OUR BADGER BOUNCEBACK AGENDA THAT I'M EXCITED TO SHARE HERE TONIGHT.

JUST TAKE A LOOK.

>> DURING THE TIME PERIOD OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC, YOU SPENDING YOUR TIME GIVING UP THIS MOMENT, GIVING UP THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE IN A CONVERSATION IS A REALLY BIG DEAL.

>> COUNTIES, GOVERNMENTS ARE STRAPPED, WAGES ARE STAGNANT AND HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS MORE.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT PERHAPS WE COULD DO IF WE HAD GOOD BROADBAND AND COULD USE TELEHEALTHMENT >> IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THE GOVERNOR HEAR ABOUT WHAT MATTERS MOST.

>> WE KNOW THAT THE WORST IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AS WELL AS WATER POLICY IN GENERAL ALL IMPACT THOSE WHO ARE ALREADY BEARING THE BRUNT OF THE INEQUITIES IN OUR SOCIETY.

>> I LIVE OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE AND I HAVE VERY POOR BROADBAND.

>> WE ASK THE GOVERNOR TO CONTINUE PRIORITIZING INVESTMENTS TO GROW OUR ECONOMY.

>> OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE SPENDING MORE MONEY ON OUR STREETS.

>> THAT'S WHY THESE LISTENING SESSIONS ARE SO IMPORTANT TO ENSURING THAT WE ARE HEARING DRESKTLY FROM THE DIRECTLY FROM THE PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN.

>> CAREGIVERS ARE LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.

>> MY IN LAWS LIVE ON A FARM AND HAVE THREE CHILDREN GOING TO SCHOOL VIRTUALLY.

>> GUESTING WISCONSIN GETTING WISCONSIN TO ACCEPT MEDICAID EXPANSION.

>> I'M HOPING GOVERNOR EVERS HAS A GOOD PLAN TO DEAL WITH COVID-19, GETTING PAST IT.

>> WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER TO BUILD A STATE THAT WORKS FOR EVERY WISCONSINITE.

>> NOW WITH ALL THE BAD NEWS OUT THERE, HERE IS SOME GOOD NEWS.

OUR BADGER BOUNCEBACK AGENDA HAS TOLD SOLUTIONS TO FACE THE URGENT CRISIS.

BADGERBADGER BOUNCEBACK IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE WE PUT OUR STATE IN THE BEST POSITION TO HELP FOLKS RECOVER AND PUT THIS PANDEMIC BEHIND US.

JUST BEFORE OUR LAST BUDGET WAS SIGNED, WE DECIDED TO TAKE THE UNPRECEDENTED STEP OF MAKING A PAYMENT ON OUR STATE'S DEBT.

WE PAID OFF $56 MILLION EARLY THAT HELPED SAVE WISCONSIN TAXPAYERS AN ESTIMATED NEARLY $70 MILLION OF FUTURE DEBT SERVICE PAYMENTS.

AND IN RESPONSE TO THIS PANDEMIC, JUST AS SO MANY HAVE HAD TO MAKE SACRIFICES THIS PAST YEAR, I ASKED OUR STATE AGENCIES TO MAKE SACRIFICES, TOO.

AT MY DIRECTION, THEY FOUND HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN COST SAVINGS OVER TWO FISCAL YEARS TO MAKE SURE WE HAD RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO RESPOND TO THIS PANDEMIC AND INVEST IN OUR ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

WE MADE SOME TOUGH CHOICES THESE PAST THREE MONTHS, BUT BECAUSE OF THE FINANCIAL POSITION OUR STATE IS IN, THIS WEEK WE ARE ABLE TO ANNOUNCE PART OF OUR BADGER BOUNCEBACK AGENDA WILL INCLUDE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS IN ECONOMIC RECOVERY FOR ALL BUSINESSES ACROSS OUR STATE.

I WAS PROUD THAT MORE THAN $370 MILLION OF OUR CARES FUNDS WENT TO SUPPORTING WISCONSIN BUSINESSES, INCLUDING 53,000 SMALL BUSINESSES, MORE THAN 15,000 FARMS AND OUR LODGING, HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM INDUSTRIES.

BUT WE ALSO KNOW WE HAVE A LONG ROAD AHEAD OF US AND OUR MAIN STREET BUSINESSES NEED HELP NOW.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE GOING TO MAKE UNPRECEDENTED INVESTMENTS IN THE WISCONSIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO BE ABLE TO HELP SUPPORT OUR SMALL BUSINESSES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

OUR BADGER BOUNCEBACK AGENDA MAKES A LARGER INVESTMENT INTO THE WEDC THAN THE LAST THREE BUDGETS COMBINED.

WE'RE GOING TO PUT $200 MILLION INTO HELPING SMALL BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY THE PANDEMIC, INCLUDING HELPING THEM RETAIN AND REHIRE THE JOBS THEY'VE LOST.

AND WE KNOW THAT IF WE WANT TO COME OUT ON OTHER SIDE OF THIS PANDEMIC STRONGER THAN EVER, WE NEED TO COMMIT TO INVESTING IN INNOVATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH, TOO.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE ALSO GOING TO INVEST $100 MILLION INTO A VENTURE CAPITAL PROGRAM TO JUMP-START INNOVATION AND START-UPS IN WISCONSIN.

BUT AS I'VE SAID ALL ALONG, IF WE'RE GOING TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN OUR STATE, THEN WE HAVE TO CONNECT THE DOTS.

AND YOU'VE HEARD ME SAY THAT A LOT: CONNECT THE DOTS.

IT MEANS RECOGNIZING HOW EVERY ISSUE OUR STATE IS FACING AFFECTS ALL THE OTHERS.

WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND HOW HAVING GOOD ROADS AND TRANSPORTATION AFFECTS SMALL BUSINESSES AND FARMERS GETTING THEIR PRODUCT FROM POINT A TO POINT B.

WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND HOW LACK OF ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING AFFECTS KIDS IN THE CLASSROOM.

WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND HOW LEAD POLLUTION AND POOR WATER QUALITY AFFECTS OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

WE HAVE TO CONNECT THOSE DOTS BETWEEN THESE ISSUES TO MAKE SURE WE CAN RECOVER FROM THIS CRISIS.

THAT'S WHY IN THE COMING DAYS THE WEDC WILL ALSO BE ANNOUNCING OUR ADMINISTRATION'S VISION FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO MAKE SURE WE CAN BOUNCE BACK WITH AN ECONOMY THAT WORKS FOR EVERYBODY.

THAT'S JUST PART OF OUR BADGER BOUNCEBACK AGENDA, BECAUSE IT BEGINS, AS IT ALWAYS DOES FOR ME, BY DOING WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR KIDS.

IT STARTS WITH EDUCATION.

>> I AM THE PARENT OF A 5TH GRADE STUDENT.

MY SON HAS MULTIPLE, COMPLEX DISABILITIES.

>> I SEE OUR SCHOOL COUNSELORS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND PSYCHOLOGISTS BEING STRETCHED VERY THIN, WITH AN INCREASING NUMBER OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES OUR STUDENTS HAVE HAD BOTH BEFORE AND EVEN MORE SO DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> THE BIGGEST ISSUE THAT I'M DEFINITELY HEARING FROM COLLEGE-AGE STUDENTS IS THE NEED FOR EXTRA FINANCIAL AID.

>> IT HAS BEEN EXTRAORDINARILY DIFFICULT FOR HIM TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE AAC DEVICES AND SERVICES THAT HE DESPERATELY NEEDS IN ORDER TO COMMUNICATE.

>> I SEE THEM BEING TORN IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS WITH ALL OF THEIR DIFFERENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND THEN OUR STUDENTS OFTEN FUEL FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS.

>> THINK ABOUT OUR YOUNG CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WHO WORK WITH THEM AND LET'S TAKE CARE OF OUR BABIES AND YOUNG CHILDREN.

>> WITH GREATER EDUCATION, YOU DECREASE COSTS IN ALMOST ALL OTHER AVENUES WITHIN YOUR STATE BUDGET.

IT'S AN INVESTMENT.

AND WE NEED THAT INVESTMENT TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> IF WE'RE GOING TO BOUNCE BACK FROM THIS PANDEMIC, THEN WE HAVE TO START BY MAKING SURE OUR KIDS ARE BETTER OFF THAN WHEN WE STARTED THIS PANDEMIC.

EVERY KID IN OUR STATE SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY PUBLIC EDUCATION.

PERIODMENT BUT ITPERIODMENT BUTPERIOD.

BUT IT HAS TO START EARLY.

FOR MANY WISCONSIN FAMILIES, QUALITY CHILD CARE IS SOMETHING THAT ISN'T AVAILABLE OR AFFORDABLEMENT LAST AFFORDABLE.

WE'LL HAVE $40 MILLION TO ADDRESS EQUITY IN OUR EARLY EDUCATION AND CHILD CARE SYSTEM FOR OUR KIDS, ALL WHILE SUPPORTING THE FOLKS WHO CARE FOR THEM.

AND THOSE INVESTMENTS CAN'T STOP WHEN OUR KIDS GROW UP AND HEAD OFF TO KINDERGARTEN.

SO FOR THE SECOND BUDGET IN A ROW, OUR BADGER BOUNCEBACK AGENDA PROVE PROPOSES THE STATE PROVIDE TWO-THIRDS FUNDING FOR OUR SCHOOLS.

REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS AGREE ON THIS ISSUE, INCLUDING TWO YEARS AGO WHEN IT WAS BACKED BY A BIPARTISAN COMMISSION.

IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PASSED IN OUR LAST BUDGET OR IN THE SPECIAL SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE I CALLED LAST YEAR.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE LEGISLATURE COULDN'T GET IT DONE IN EITHER CASE.

WELL, HERE'S THE BOTTOM LINE.

IF MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE ARE GOING TO MAKE PROMISES ON THIS, THEN THEY SURE OUGHT TO KEEP THEM.

LET'S STOP TALKING ABOUT IT AND JUST GET IT DONE.

AND TWO-THIRDS FUNDING ISN'T THE ONLY PLACE WE'VE SEEN PUBLIC EDUCATION INVESTMENTS SIDE LIEFNED BY POLITICS DES DESPITE HAVING BROAD PUBLIC SUPPORT.

IT WAS THE FIRST INCREASE IN MORE THAN A DECADE.

AND THAT WAS A BIG STEP FORWARD.

BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS AFTER A DECADE OF FAILING TO PROVIDE MORE FUNDING, WE STILL HAVE A LOT MORE TO GET TO WHERE WE NEED TO GO.

THIS BUDGET PROPOSES TRYING TO HELP CLOSE THAT GAP WITH A MORE THAN $709 MILLION INVESTMENT IN SPECIAL EDUCATION AID.

AND FINALLY, WE'RE ALSO GOING TO INVEST IN SUPPORTING OUR RULE SCHOOLS BY FULLY FUNDING SPARSITY AID WITH A $20 MILLION INVESTMENT.

THE REALITY IS THAT OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS FROM KICKAPOO TO CASHTON HAVE BEEN DOING MUCH MORE WITH FAR LESS FOR TOO LONG AND THESE INVESTMENTS WILL ENHANCE SUPPORT TO VULNERABLE KIDS, BUT PROVIDE SCHOOLS WITH THE BUDGET FLEXIBILITY TO FUNDAMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, KEEPING BUSES RUNNING, TECHNOLOGY AND OTHER CRITICAL NEEDS.

AND OUR WORK CAN'T STOP WHEN OUR KIDS FINISH HIGH SCHOOL.

OUR HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AN ECONOMIC DRIVER FOR OUR SATE AND STATE AND WE NEED TO DOUBLE DOWNS IF WE'RE GOING TO BOUNCE BACK.

OUR COLLEGE SYSTEMS HAVE A PROUD HISTORY OF NOT ONLY PREPARING STUDENTS TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE, BUT GENERATING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY STATEWIDE AND BRINGING THOUSANDS OF JOBS TO COMMUNITIES ALL ACROSS OUR STATE.

IT'S A DIRECT PIPELINE TO THE SKILLS, INNOVATION AND RESEARCH AND CREATIVITY THAT WILL HELP OUR FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES AND OUR STATE BAWNS BOCK BOUNCE BACK AND IT WILL PAY DIVIDENDS FOR OUR FUTURE.

SO WE'RE GOING GOOD TO TO BUILD ON OUR STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGES AND EMPLOYERS WHO COUNT ON THEM FOR WISCONSIN'S HIGHLY-SKILLED WORKFORCE BY PROVIDING AN ADDITIONAL $36 MILLION INVESTMENT OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO MAKE SURE HIGHER EDUCATION IS SOMETHING THAT'S ACCESSIBLE, FORWARDABLE AND THEREFORE ATTAINABLE TO ALL WHO CHOOSE TO PURSUE IT.

SO WE'RE GOING TO KEEP THE TRUE TO WIFTION TUITION FREEZE AND EXPAND THE BUCKY PROMISES TO ALL CAMPUS STATEWIDE SO STUDENTS CAN GET A FOUR YEEFER FOUR-YEAR EDUCATION AT NO COST TO THEM OR THEIR FAMILY.

WE'RE GOING TO FUND THAT FREEZE AND INVEST $190 MILLION INTO THE UW SYSTEM OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

SO AT THE END OF THIS BIENNIUM, WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE, THE STATE WILL AGAIN BE INVESTING MORE GPR DOLLARS ANNUALLY IN THE UW SYSTEM THAN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

AND THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE CAN'T KEEP DOING THINGS THE WAY WE'VE ALWAYS DONE THEM IF WE WANT TO BOUNCE BACK AND BETTER THAN WE WERE BEFORE THIS PANDEMIC HIT.

THAT'S WHY OUR BADGER BOUNCEBACK AGENDA IS ABOUT INVESTING IN PEOPLE, NOT PRISONS.

>> THE PUBLIC ISN'T SERVED BY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM OPERATING IN THE WAY THAT IT DOES HERE IN WISCONSIN.

VICTIMS OF CRIMES, SURVIVORS OF CRIMES ARE NOT BENEFITED FROM HIGH RECIDIVISM RATES.

>> I'M HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR PUTTING 17-YEAR-OLDS IN THE JUVENILE SYSTEM.

>> WHEN WE TALK ABOUT CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THE WAY THAT IT'S WRAPPED IN RACISM, IT'S WRAPPED IN ALL THESE HISTORICAL WAY THAT'S WERE MEANT TO KEEP PEOPLE BOXED OUT AND WE KNOW THIS AND WE'RE DEALING WITH AND TALKING TO A LOT OF SMART PEOPLE.

THEN WE NEED TO SHOW SOME REAL COURAGE.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HIM MAKE REAL STEPS.

>> BRAINS ARE NOT FULLY MATURE UNTIL MID 20s, SO IT CAN BE PRETTY TAWM MA PRETTY TRAUMATIZING TO GO THROUGH THE SYSTEM.

>> THEY CAN BE DIVERTED FROM PRISONS.

>> COMMUNITIES NEED PEOPLE WHO COME HOME AND DO THAT WORK THAT A LOT OF PROFESSIONALS WHO HAVEN'T DONE THERE CAN DO.

>> THIS IS ALL SERIOUS STUFF AND IF WE DON'T MAKE SOME PROGRESS THIS BUDGET, WE WILL BE IN A MUCH, MUCH WORSE PLACE.

>> AS A TAX PAYING CITIZEN, WHAT WOULD YOU RATHER INVEST IN: COURT OR INCARCERATION AND RECIDIVISM?

THANK YOU.

>> WE KNOW OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM HAS PUT A STRAIN ON OUR STATE.

WE FAILED TO ADEQUATELY FUND ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION, ESPECIALLY FOR FOLKS WHO NEED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT.

OUR PRISONS HAVE BEEN OVERCROWDED, WHICH COSTS MORE OF YOUR TAX DOLLARS IN THE LONG RUN.

AND WE HAVEN'T GIVEN FOLKS ENOUGH RESOURCES OR TOOLS TO BE SAFE AND SUCCESSFUL WHEN THEY REENTER OUR COMMUNITIES FROM EDUCATION TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO WORKFORCE TRAINING.

AND PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE HAVE YET TO ADDRESS THE DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT THE LAST MORE THAN TWO DECADES OF LAWS HAVE HAD ON OUR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

IT'S TIME TO FACE THE FACTS.

WE HAVE GOT TO CHANGE.

IF WE'RE GOING TO BOUNCE BACK FROM THIS PANDEMIC, WE HAVE TO GET OUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT.

WE CAN'T KEEP THROWING YOUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS INTO A SYSTEM THAT DOESN'T HELP OUR STATE OR OUR PEOPLE THRIVE.

IT'S HOLDING US BACK.

AND HERE'S THE DEAL.

YOU KNOW I'M A BIG BELIEVER IN SCIENCE.

WE CAN KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE BY HOLDING VIOLENT OFFENDERS ACCOUNTABLE, SAVING MONEY AND REFORMING OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

BECAUSE IN THE 21ST CENTURY, WE CAN USE SCIENCE AND EVIDENCE TO HELP US MAKE BETTER DECISIONS.

AND IT STARTS WITH OUR KIDS.

IT'S BEEN YEARS SINCE THE 2017 WISCONSIN ACT 185 WAS PASSED AND THE LEGISLATURE MADE PROMISES TO CLOSE LINCOLN HILLS AND COPPER LAKE.

MANY OF THOSE CHANGES AND PROMISES HAVE YET TO BE REALIZED DUE TO LEGISLATIVE INACTION.

BY FOCUSING ONLY ON PHYSICAL BUILDINGS AND NOT ON HOLISTIC CHANGE THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM, ACT 185 WAS ALWAYS GOING TO FALL SHORT.

THAT'S WHY IN THIS BUDGET I'M GOING TO PROPOSE THAT WE TRULY OVERHAUL OUR JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM BY FOCUSING ON BEST PRACTICES AND A COMMUNITY-BASED APPROACH TO FACILITIES.

WE'RE ONCE AGAIN PROPOSING THAT OUR JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM TREAT YOUTH UNDER 18, WITH SOME LIMITED EXCEPTIONS, AS KIDS, NOT ADULTS.

WE ARE ONE OF THE ONLY STATES IN THE NATION THAT HAS NOT MADE THIS EVIDENCE-BASED CHANGE IN ENSURING THAT YOUTH ARE TREATED AS IEWFGHT AND YOUTH AND THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE NOW.

THERE'S NO TRAINING FOR HOW TO ENGAGE JUSTICE-INVOLVED KIDS.

SO WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE AGENCIES HAVE THE TRAINING THEY NEED TO HELP OUR KIDS BE SUCCESSFUL FROM UNDERSTANDING ADOLESCENT BRAIN DEVELOPMENT TO BEST PRACTICES ON ENGAGING KIDS TO EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES FOR DELINQUENCY TO UNDERSTANDING THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF GIRLS AND LGBTQ YOUTH.

WE'RE ALSO GOING TO INVEST $9 MILLION IN A PILOT PROGRAM TO START INCREASING SERVICES IN OUR COMMUNITIES SO KIDS WHO ARE AT MODERATE OR HIGH RISK CAN GET INTENSIVE, EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT CLOSER TO HOME.

BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT WE SHOULD BE PROVIDING KIDS AND FAMILIES WITH AS MUCH SUPPORT AS WE CAN TO GET ON THE RIGHT TRACK IN PRIORITIZING VEST.

AND REHABILITATION FOR OUR KIDS.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE ALSO GOING TO CHANGE THE WAY WE SENTENCE YOUTH TO CONSIDER RISK, TREATMENT NEEDS AND SEVERITY OF THE OFFENSE.

OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM SHOULD BE ABOUT BOTH ACCOUNTABILITY, BUT ALSO ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY FOR TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION.

AND ANY MEANINGFUL REFORM OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM MUST INCLUDE THIS APPROACH.

FINALLY, WE'RE GOING TO AGAIN PROPOSE TO CLOSE LINCOLN HILLS AND COPPER LAKE SO THAT WE CAN GET OUR KIDS CLOSER TO HOME AS SOON AS WE CAN SAFELY AND RESPONSIBLY CAN.

AND WE'RE GOING TO DO IT BY ELIMINATING ACT 185'S OUTDATED TWO-TIER CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM AND CREATING SMALLER COMMUNITY BASED FACILITIES ACROSS OUR STATE AND MAKING SURE OUR KIDS GET THE SAME EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT AND BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT NO MATTER WHAT PART OF THE STATE THEY'RE FROM.

AND WHEN IT COMES TO OUR ADULT SYSTEM, WE HAVE TO DO THERE TOO.

WE CAN SAVE BY INVESTING IN TREATMENT AND ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION.

A STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOUND THAT BY INVESTING IN STATE TREATMENT AND DIVERSION FOR EVERY SINGLE DOLLAR WE INVEST IN DIVERSION PROGRAMS, WE SAVE MORE THAN $8 IN RETURN.

EXPANDING ACCESS TO TREATMENT AND DIVERSION ISN'T JUST THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR OUR PEOPLE.

IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR OUR POCKETBOOKS, TOO.

THAT'S WHY IN OUR LAST BUDGET WE INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE TREATMENT ALTERNATIVES AND DIVERSION PROGRAMS TO THE HIGHEST FUNDING LEVEL EVER.

AND WE'RE GOING TO DOUBLE DOWN ON THIS INVESTMENT IN THIS BUDGET BY PROVIDING AN ADDITIONAL $15 MILLION TO EXPAND THIS PROGRAM.

A DECADE-LONG STUDY ON RACE AND PRISON SENTENCING IN WISCONSIN FOUND THAT COMPARED TO THEIR WHITE COUNTERPARTS, INDIVIDUALS QUISKTED CONVICTED OF FELONIES WISCONSIN, BLACK MEN ARE 28% MORE LIKELY TO END UP IN PRIVILEGES SON.

NATIVE AMERICAN MEN ARE MORE LIKELY TO END UP IN PRISON.

THE LAST WHOLESALE REWRITE OF WISCONSIN'S CRIMINAL CODE HASN'T HAPPENED IN MORE THAN A DECADE.

SO WE'RE GOING TO START BY HAVING A SENTENCING REVIEW COUNCIL GO THROUGH EVERY SECTION OF THE CRIMINAL CODE TO FOCUS ON EQUITY, REHABILITATION AND EVIDENCE-BASED SENTENCING PRACTICES THAT WILL RESULT IN BETTER OUTCOMES AND MAKE THIS SYSTEM FAIRER WHILE KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.

WE'RE ALSO GOING TO EXPAND THE EARNED RELEASE PROGRAM TO INCLUDE PROGRAMS THAT ARE EVIDENCE-BASED TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM LIKE EDUCATION, WORK TRAINING PROGRAMS SO FOLKS HAVE THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

REFORMING OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM IS LONG OVERDUE AND IT'S PART OF OUR OVER OVERALL GOAL TO ENSURE OUR STATE BOUNCES BACK AND BETTER THAN BEFORE.

I WANT TO BE CLEAR.

THERE'S MORE TO EQUITY AND JUSTICE THAN CORRECTIONS AND INCARCERATION.

>> IT'S TIME FOR US TO TAKE BOLD ACTION AND TO REALLY DO EVERYTHING WE CAN.

>> FOR ME, CLIMATE CHANGE IS THE TOP ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE AND ALLIED WITH, OF COURSE, IT EQUITY AND RACIAL JUSTICE.

THE >> AND MY TOP ISSUE IS MY CLIMATE CHANGE.

IT'S DEEPLY CONCERNING TO ME AND THE OUTLOOK OF MY FUTURE.

>> WE COULD BE INVESTING IN PILOT PROGRAMS IN BOTH RURAL AND URBAN AREAS THAT NOT ONLY COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE AND BUILD RESILIENCE, BUT ALSO PROVIDE JOBS AND TRAINING FOR COMMUNITIES THAT DESPERATELY NEEFD THEM RIGHT NOW.

>> AND I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO SEE WHAT IT IS THAT THE STATE CAN SUPPORT, LOCALITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES.

THEY NEED HELP, ESPECIALLY WITH THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON REVENUES.

>> THE IN INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF THE STATE ARE MORE THAN CAPABLE OF ORGANIZING AND PROVIDING HELP TO MEET THE CLIMATE CRISIS DEMANDS.

>> I'D LOVE TO SEE FUNDING AND RESOURCES FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO GET STARTED ON SOME REALLY AMBITIOUS CLEAN ENERGY GOALS.

>> WE CANNOT DRIVE AS A STATE WITHOUT LOCAL LEADERSHIP AND GIVING THIS INPUT IS A WAY TO HAVE THAT LEADERSHIP.

>> WISCONSIN'S POPULATION SIZE AND OUR NATURAL RESOURCE PROFILE IS STRATEGICALLY GREAT TO LEAD A STRONG EXAMPLE OF COMMUNITY COMPETENT CLIMATE ACTION FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW.

>> WE CANNOT IGNORE THE ROLE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE PLAYS IN BUILDING A STATE WHERE EVERY FAMILY IN EVERY ZIP CODE CAN BE SUCCESSFUL.

THE CLIMATE CRISIS IS TAKING AN UNDENIABLE TOLL ON FOLKS ACROSS THE STATE.

EVERY WISCONSINITE, WHETHER THEY LIVE IN THE DRIFTLESS, THE CENTRAL SANDS OR THE NORTHWOODS, ARE IN THE OR IN THE HEART OF OUR URBAN AREAS HAS EXPERIENCED THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

LOW-INCOME WISCONSINITES AND FARMERS ARE THE MOST DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED.

THE CRUX OF BOUNCING BACK IS OUR WILLINGNESS TO STOP PRETENDING THE PROBLEMS WE FACE DON'T EXIST.

WE HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR CHALLENGES IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A CHANCE OF FIXING THEM.

I WANT TO BE CLEAR.

ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE DOESN'T MEAN ABANDONING ALL OUR STATE'S HISTORY OR OUR TRADITIONS.

WE AREN'T AND WE WON'T.

BECAUSE IT IS THAT VERY HISTORY AND THAT VERY TRADITION, FROM THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, WHO WERE THE FIRST STEWARDS OF OUR LAND, TO OUR FARMERS WHO HAVE BEEN THE BACKBONE OF OUR STATE FOR GENERATIONS, TO OUR OUTDOOR RECREATION ECONOMY THAT DEMAND WE EMBRACE A FUTURE WHERE WE HAVE DON'T HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN CLIMATE CHANGE AND GOOD-PAYING JOBS.

WE'RE REFDDYWE ARE READY FOR BOLD SOLUTIONS.

WE CAN AND WILL DO BOTH.

IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, INCREASED FLOODING CAUSED IN LARGE PART BY CLIMATE CHANGE HAS CAUSED WISCONSIN COMMUNITIES, BUSINESS, FARMERS AND FAMILIES MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

BUT WE KNOW THAT FOR EVERY DOLLAR INVESTED IN FLOOD PREVENTION, WE CAN SAVE IN COSTS DOWN THE ROAD.

THAT'S WHY OUR BADGER BOUNCEBACK AGENDA PROPOSES A $30 MILLION INVESTMENT IN PROACTIVELY FLOOD-PROOFING, ENSURING PUBLIC SAFETY AND REDUCING THE RISK OF CATASTROPHIC FLOOD DAMAGE.

THIS WILL ALSO HELP OUR MIEW MUNICIPALITIES ADDRESS WITH PROGRAMS FOR ADAPTABLE ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE, RESTORE WETLANDS AND SUPPORT FARMERS AND FAMILIES AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WHEN THEY LOSE THEIR CROPS OR THEIR PROPERTIES ARE DAMAGED.

AND WE'RE GOING TO GET TO WORK HELPING OUR SHORELINE COMMUNITIES BY CREATING THE GREAT LAKES EROSION CONTROL REVOLVING LOAN PROGRAM TO HELP SUPPORT COMMUNITIES ACROSS OUR STATE THAT ARE EXPERIENCING RECORD OR NEAR-RECORD LAKE LEVELS AND DANGEROUS SHORE EROSION.

WE ALSO KNOW OUR SMALL AND FAMILY FARMS ARE SOME OF OUR MOST ARDENT SUPPORTERS OF PROTECTING OUR LAND AND OUR WATER.

WE'RE READY TO BE GOOD PARTNERS TO OUR FARMERS, WHO WILL PLAIF A CRITICAL ROLE IN OUR WORK TO BUILD A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE.

THAT'S WHY WE ARE INVESTING IN FARMING INNOVATION, SO OUR SMALL FAMILY FARMS CAN LEAD THE WAY ON TRANSITIONING TO MORE SUSTAINABLE BEST PRACTICES IN ADDRESSING LOCAL WATERSHED ISSUES, RUNOFF AND REDUCING WATER CONTAMINATION.

OUR BADGER BOUNCEBACK ALSO BILTSDZ ON BUILDS ON THE WORK OF THE TASK FORCE ON CLIMATE CHANGE WHICH INCLUDED A DIVERSE COALITION OF FARMERS, UTILITY COMPANIES AND BUSINESSES.

THANKS TO LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BARNES FOR ALL HIS GOOD WORK ON THIS ISSUE.

WE MADE A COMMITMENT TO MAKE WISCONSIN 100% CARBON-FREE BY 2050 AND WE'RE GOING TO KEEP IT.

OUR UTILITY PARTNERS HAVE MADE GREAT STRIDES THIS YEAR REDUCING EMISSIONS, BUT WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO TO OUR 100% GOAL.

IT IS CRITICAL THAT WE TAKE NECESSARY AND IMMEDIATE STEPS TO ADDRESS ENERGY PRODUCTION AND EFFICIENCY.

SO WE'RE GOING TO DOUBLE THE REQUIRED UTILITY COMPANY CONTRIBUTION TO THE FOCUS ON ENERGY PROGRAM, WHICH WILL ALLOW US TO GENERATE AN ADDITIONAL $100 MILLION TO HELP MAKE OUR HOMES, OUR SCHOOLS AND OUR BUSINESSES MORE EFFICIENT.

WE'RE ALSO CREATING A NEW $20 MILLION ENERGY EFFICIENT GRANT PROGRAM FOR OUR SCHOOLS SO THAT THEY CAN UPDATE AGING INFRASTRUCTURE AND REDUCE ENERGY YOOFAGE.

AND AS WE EMBRACE AN ECONOMY THAT WILL ALLOW US TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT, WE'RE GOING TO INVEST IN CLEAN JOBS AND SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE.

BUT WE'LL NEED SKILLED WORKERS TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE ALSO INVESTING $1 MILLION IN OUR FAST FORWARD PROGRAM FOR TRAINING FOR GREEN JOBS ACROSS THE STATE, ENCOURAGING FOLKS TO PURSUE CAREER PATHS IN CLEAN ENERGY PRODUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION.

WE'RE ALSO CREATING A $4 MILLION RENEWABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY RESEARCH GRANT THROUGH THE OFFICE OF SUSTAIN ABILITY AND CLEAN ENERGY AND DIRECTING THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO ESTABLISH AN INNOVATIVE PILOT PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE STATE'S UTILITIES.

FOLKS, WE CANNOT AFFORD TO CONTINUE IGNORING SCIENCE AND DENYING THE REALITY OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN WISCONSIN.

I KNOW WE CAN DELIVER ON THE PROMISE WE MAKE TO OUR KIDS TO LEAVE THEM A BETTER LIFE AND WORLD THAN THE ONE WE INHERITED.

BUT I ALSO KNOW THERE MIGHT BE WAVERING WAYS THE LEGISLATURE AND I CAN ACCOMPLISH THIS TOGETHER.

I WANT TO ADDRESS THAT HERE TONIGHT.

TO MY FRIENDS IN THE LEGISLATURE, OUR OPPORTUNITY TO BOUNCE BACK FROM THIS CRISIS CALLS FOR YOU TO SUMMON THE WILL TO GET THIS DONE.

THERE'S NO TIME FOR FALSE PROMISES OF HOPE AND PROSPERITY, WITH EMPTY WORDS THAT YOU KNOW FULL WELL WON'T MATCH YOUR ACTIONS.

YOU CAN DISAGREE WITH ME IF YOU WANT, BUT DON'T PUNISH THE PEOPLE WE SERVE SO YOU CAN SETTLE A SCORE.

NO ONE BUT YOU IS KEEPING.

EACH TIME A BILL FAILS TO PASS, EACH TIME A COMPROMISE ENDS UP IN FLAMES, EACH TIME LEGISLATORS USE SIGHT OF THE PEOPLE WHO SENT YOU HERE, THE DISAPPOINTMENT, THE RESENTMENT AND THE DISPARITIES GROW.

WE MUST BE UNAFRAID TO AGREE, UNWILLING TO WAIT AND UNABASHED ABOUT THE WORK WE HAVE BEFORE US.

WISCONSINITES, WHEN I RAN TO BE YOUR GOVERNOR, I SAID IT WAS TIME FOR A CHANGE AND I TOLD YOU THEN, AS I'LL TELL YOU TONIGHT, THAT CHANGE WON'T HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU.

THAT'S WHY BECAUSE OF YOU, I AM OPTIMISTIC AND I AM HOPEFUL, BECAUSE OVER THE LAST YEAR I'VE SEEN THE HEART AND GRIT AND RESILIENCE OF THE PEOPLE OF THIS GREAT STATE.

I BELIEVE WE CAN PASS A BUDGET WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

I BELIEVE WE CAN PASS A BUDGET THAT WILL MAKE SURE OUR STATE CAN BOUNCE BACK AND BETTER THAN IT WAS BEFORE THIS PANDEMIC HIT.

I BELIEVE WE CAN PASS A BUDGET THAT WILL FINALLY REALIZE THE FUTURE WE DREAMED.

I KNOW THAT THE LEGISLATURE AND I CAN GET THIS DONE.

CHANGE IS POSSIBLE.

THE FUTURE WE WANT TO BUILD IS POSSIBLE, BECAUSE I KNOW YOU WILL HOLD US TO ACCOUNT AND DEMAND IT.

SO LET'S GO FORWARD TOGETHER.

LET'S BOUNCE BACK TOGETHER.

AND LET'S GET THIS DONE.

THANK YOU AND ON WISCONSIN!

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]