APPLAUSE

>> THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS A PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL PRODUCTION. >> WELCOME TO WISCONSIN PUBLIC MEDIA'S COVERAGE OF GOVERNOR TONY EVERS' SECOND STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS. WE ARE LIVE TONIGHT AT THE WISCONSIN STATE CAPITOL IN MADISON. IN A FEW MOMENTS, TONY EVERS, THE 46TH GOVERNOR OF WISCONSIN, WILL MAKE HIS WAY INTO THE ASSEMBLY CHAMBERS. HE WILL SPEAK TONIGHT BEFORE A JOINT SESSION OF THE WISCONSIN ASSEMBLY AND SENATE, THE STATE SUPREME COURT, HIS CABINET AND TRIBAL LEADERS. >> GOOD EVENING. I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG FROM PBS WISCONSIN. >> AND I'M SHAWN JOHNSON FROM WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO. TONIGHT DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR TONY EVERS LAYS OUT HIS PLANS FOR 2020. >> WISCONSIN STATE SENATE PRESIDENT ROGER ROTH OF APPLETON WILL PROVIDE THE REPUBLICAN RESPONSE FOLLOWING THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS. >> AND SO WE ARE AWAITING THE GOVERNOR'S ARRIVAL HERE THROUGH THE ASSEMBLY CHAMBERS, WHERE WE SIT, AND THEN HE WILL MAKE HIS WAY THROUGH THE ASSEMBLY CHAMBERS TO BE INTRODUCED. >> IF YOU TUNE IN FOR STATE OF THE STATE FORMALITIES, THE STATE SENATE IS ALREADY OUT THERE. THE STATE SUPREME COURT, THEY'VE ALREADY BEEN INTRODUCED. YOU'VE GOT PEOPLE IN THE GALLERY THERE WHO ARE GUESTS, SOMEBODY IN THE CROWD PERHAPS TONIGHT OR OF THE GOVERNOR. SO WE'RE WAITING FOR THE GOVERNOR HIMSELF, TONY EVERS, TO DELIVER HIS SECOND STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS. COULD BE ON THE BRIEF SIDE TONIGHT AS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESSES GO. AND, YOU KNOW, POSSIBLY FITTING, GIVEN THAT WE HAVE MAYBE TWO TO THREE MORE MONTHS OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION THIS YEAR AND PARTY CONTROL, A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR, REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE, AND THEY HAVE TROUBLE AGREEING ON SOME OF THE BIG STUFF, I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY. >> THEY DO INDEED, AND YET IT SEEMS THAT BOTH TODAY HERE AT THE CAPITOL AND TONIGHT POTENTIALLY IN THIS SPEECH THE THEME SEEMS TO BE ONE OF TRYING TO STRIKE KIND OF A CONCILIATORY TONE IN THIS DIVIDED GOVERNMENT, BUT YOU JUST SEEM TO SENSE THIS PARTISAN ANIMOS RIGHT AFTER THE SURFACE. SPEAKER VOS WAS TRYING TO TALK ABOUT BIPARTISANSHIP THIS AFTERNOON, KIND OF. >> KIND OF. SORT OF, BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND REPUBLICAN LEADERS LEADERS, BOACT SAYING THEY'RE THE ONES WHO KNOW HOW TO GET IT DONE. SPEAKERS VOS READ THE DEFINITION OF BIPARTISANSHIP FROM THE DICTIONARY TO PROVE HIS POINT, BUT SAID THE GOVERNOR NEEDED TO TONE DOWN HIS RHETORIC. THAT PROMPTED A QUESTION HE ABOUT THE LAME LUCK SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE. DID THAT TONE DOWN THE RHETORIC. SPEAKER VOS SAID THAT IT DID. KIND OF GIVES YOU A SNAPSHOT OF WHAT LIFE IS LIKE IN WISCONSIN STATE GOVERNMENT. THEY DO AGREE ON A LOT OF BILLS THAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT OR DON'T GET TALKED ABOUT TOO OFTEN. YOU'LL HEAR BOTH SIDES BRAG ABOUT THAT. 95% OF THE BILLS THEY AGREE ON. IT'S THE ONES THEY DON'T AGREE ON THAT GOT A LOT OF ATTENTION. THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF THOSE, BIG ISSUES CHT OF THE DAY. >> I THOUGHT IT WAS OF NOTE THAT SPEAKER VOS SAID THAT LAME DUCK SESSION FOSTERED BIPARTISANSHIP, WHICH SEEMS HARD TO UNDERSTAND HOW. >> HIS POINT WAS IT GAVE THE LEGISLATURE EQUAL FOOTING WITH THE GOVERNOR. BUT, AS YOU KNOW, THAT DEFINITELY SET OFF SOME IS BAD BLOOD BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS LATE LAST QUEER AND -- LAST YEAR AND BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR. YOU'LL HEAR THE GOVERNOR TALK ABOUT AREAS WHERE THEY HAVE AGREED. AND YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR THE GOVERNOR, TONY EVERS, BE INTRODUCED TO THE STATE ASSEMBLY HERE MOMENTARILY BY ASSEMBLY SERGEANT AT ARMS ANTON BYERS.

GAVEL BANGING

>> THE JOINT CONVENTION WILL COME TO ORDER. THE JOINT CONVENTION WILL COME TO ORDER. >> THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE ASSEMBLY SERGEANT AT ARMS. >> MR. PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS, THE GOVERNOR OF THE GREAT STATE OF WISCONSIN, THE HONORABLE TONY EVERS!

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

>> AND SO TO LOUD APPLAUSE THE GOVERNOR MAKES HIS WAY DOWN THE AISLE OF THE ASSEMBLY CHAMBER. >> THIS IS THE PART OF THE NIGHT WHERE IT'S OKAY FOR EVERYBODY TO STAND UP AND CLAP. YOU'LL SEE AS THE SPEECH GOES ON THERE WILL BE SOME PARTS WHERE ONE SIDE OF THE AISLE IS UP, THE OTHER SIDE IS DOWN, AS WE'VE BECOME PRETTY MUCH ACCUSTOMED FOR A STATE OF THE STATE SPEECH.

APPLAUSE

>> WE DO KNOW SOME BITS AND PIECES OF WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT FROM WHAT HE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER. HE RELEASED EXCERPTS FROM HIS SPEECH TODAY. >> ONE OF THE QUOTES WAS "FROM NONPARTISAN REDISTRICTING TO INVESTING IN OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES, WE'VE GOT WORK TO DO." SO STAND BY FOR SOME MORE ON THOSE ITEMS. REDISTRICTING AND INVESTING IN RURAL COMMUNITIES. >> YEAH. YOU WILL HEAR MORE DETAILS ABOUT WHAT THAT MEANS TO THE GOVERNOR TONIGHT IN HIS SPEECH. YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR A LITTLE BIT OF A VICTORY LAP IN TERMS OF WHAT HE WAS ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH IN HIS BUDGET. YOU SEE HIM SHAKING HANDS THERE WITH NOW ASSEMBLY SPEAKER ROBIN VOS. >> IT IS MY HONOR TO INTRODUCE THE GOVERNOR OF THE GREAT STATE OF WISCONSIN, THE HOFER HONORABLE TONY EVERS!

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> HONORABLE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES, TRIBAL NATION LEADERS, CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, MEMBERS OF THE WISCONSIN NATIONAL GUARD AND ACTIVE AND RETIRED MEMBERS OF OUR ARMED FORCES, CABINET MEMBERS, SENATE PRESIDENT ROTH, FITZGERALD, SPEAKER VOS AND MINORITY LEADER HINTZ, LEGISLATORS, DISTINGUISHED GUESTS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THE PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN, WELCOME AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

APPLAUSE

>> MY PARTNER IN MISCHIEF, KATHY, IS UP IN THE GALLERY TONIGHT ALONG WITH OUR DAUGHTER KATIE, SON-IN-LAW COLIN, HANNAH, OUR SON NICK AND OUR DAUGHTER-IN-LAW LANDA. WHERE ARE YOU FOLKS? I CAN'T SEE YOU.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT. I'M WITH YOU AND I WON'T EMBARRASS YOU TONIGHT. >> I'M TONY EVERS AND I'M INCREDIBLY PROUD TO BE HERE AS THE 46TH GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN TO DELIVER MY SECOND STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

>> AS I REFLECT ON MY FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE, ALTHOUGH THERE WERE SETBACKS AND OCCASIONAL POLITICAL POSTURING, WHAT I CALL HUFFING AND PUFFING, WE ALSO HAD A LOT OF SUCCESS AND I'M PROUD OF EVERYTHING WE ACCOMPLISHED IN JUST A YEAR'S TIME. ONE OF THE BEST PARTS OF DOING MY JOB IS GETTING OUT OF THE CAPITOL AND VISITING WITH PEOPLE ALL ACROSS THE STATE. AND HOLY HACK MACKEREL, THAT'S WHAT I DID. LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BARNES AND I VISITED ALL 72 COUNTIES THIS PAST YEAR.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

>> ACTUALLY, THE BAD NEWS IS THAT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BARNES AND I RACED TO SEE WHO COULD BE THE FIRST TO VISIT THOSE 72 COUNTIES AND HE BEAT ME BY ABOUT FIVE DAYS. BUT WE'RE JUST A FEW WEEKS INTO 2020 AND I'VE ALREADY GOT A HEADSTART ON YOU THIS YEAR.

APPLAUSE

>> THIS PAST YEAR, WE ALSO BROUGHT SCIENCE BACK TO THE STATE OF WISCONSIN.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

>> AND WE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT CLIMATE CHANGE EXISTS AND IT'S A THREAT WE NEED TO START TAKING SERIOUSLY.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

>> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BARNES IS THE CHAIR OF THE CLIMATE CHANGE TASK FORCE, WORKING WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS LEADERS AND PEOPLE FROM ACROSS THE STATE ON ENVIRONMENT, STEWARDSHIP AND SUSTAINABILITY. THANKS TO LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BARNES FOR YOUR GOOD WORK ON THIS.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

>> I'M ALSO PROUD THAT I WAS ABLE TO SIGN EXECUTIVE ORDERS AFFIRMING EQUITY, INCLUSION, RESPECT AND DIGNITY FOR THE STATE WORKERS IN THIS GREAT STATE.

APPLAUSE

>> LAST YEAR I VISITED EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OUR AGENCIES TO THANK OUR EMPLOYEES AND TO HEAR ABOUT THE GOOD WORK THEY'RE DOING IN OUR STATE. WE SHOULD BE PROUD OF THE FOLKS WHO SERVE WISCONSINITES EVERY DAY AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO LISTEN AND ELEVATING THEIR VOICES AND THEIR WORK.

APPLAUSE

>> I ALSO PROMISED THAT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM WOULD BE A CENTRAL PART OF MY ADMINISTRATION. ALTHOUGH WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO ON THIS ISSUE, WE MADE SOME IMPORTANT PROGRESS THIS YEAR. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN EIGHT YEARS, A GOVERNOR STEPPED A FOOT INSIDE OF ONE OF OUR CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND ACTUALLY IT WASN'T JUST ONE. I VISITED SIX.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

>> AND THE WISCONSIN PAROLE COMMISSION IS WORKING TO MAKE SURE WE GET OUR PAROLE SYSTEM BACK ON TRACK. THE CHAIR, JOHN TATE II, IS HERE WITH US IN THE GALLERY TONIGHT, AND HE HAS BEEN DOING A GREAT JOB. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR WORK ON THIS ISSUE, JOHN.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

>> PART OF REFORMING OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS BELIEVING IN FORGIVENESSES AND THE POWER OF REDEMPTION, THINGS THAT I THINK SPEAK TO THE CHARACTER OF OUR STATE. THIS PAST YEAR, I ALSO MADE GOOD ON MY CAMPAIGN PROMISE TO REINSTATE THE PARDON REVIEW BOARD. WE GRANTED THE FIRST PARDONS IN OUR STATE IN NINE YEARS, OFFERING FORGIVENESS AND A SECOND CHANCE FOR THOSE FOLKS WHO HAVE MADE AMENDS IN THEIR OWN LIVES AND THE COMMUNITIES. CONGRATULATIONS, KATIE AND ANNETTE, WHO ARE TWO OF THE FOLKS WE PARDONED SINCE TAKING OFFICE AND THEY'RE ALSO UP THERE IN THE GALLERY. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

>> MY LAST STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS I ASKED THE LEGISLATURE TO SET POLITICS ASIDE SO WE COULD WORK TOGETHER ON THE ISSUES FACING OUR STATE. I SAID I EXPECTED BILLS TO BE PASSED WITH BROAD SUPPORT AND IN THE SPIRIT OF BIPARTISANSHIP. SO ONE OF THE THING I'M MOST PROUD OF IS THAT MORE THAN 95% OF THE BILLS I SIGNED MY FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE HAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT. MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

>> BY GOLLY, PEOPLE WORKED TOGETHER ON IMPORTANT ISSUES. REPRESENTATIVE LOUDENBECK, KOLSTE, SENATOR KOOYENGA AND BEWLEY CAME TOGETHER TO WORK ON EXPANDING ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE IN RURAL AREAS BY MAKING SURE THAT MEDICAID COVERS TELEHEALTH SERVICES IN WISCONSIN.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

>> THANKS TO SENATOR BREN NEAR, SENATOR SCHACHTNER, REPRESENTATIVE ZIMMERMAN AND BROSTOFF. VOTERS WILL NOT BE DENIED THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE BECAUSE THEY HAVE A DISABILITY.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

>> AND BECAUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE THIESFELDT, BOWEN, SENATORS JOHNSON AND DARLING'S GOOD WORK WE SIGNED A BILL TO RECOGNIZE AND PREVENT HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN WISCONSIN.

APPLAUSE

>> THESE BILLS EXEMPT SHOW WHAT UNITES US, NOT WHAT DIVIDES US. THANK YOU ALL FOR THIS GOOD WORK.

APPLAUSE

>> SO I BELIEVE AS I'VE OFTEN SAID, THERE'S MORE TO AN ECONOMY THAN JUST COUNTING JOB CREATION. ASKING JOB CREATORS ACROSS OUR STATE AND THEY'LL TELL YOU THAT INVESTING IN A FOUNDATION OF GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE AND A DIVERSE WORKPLACE IS CRITICAL TO A GROWING ECONOMY. WE HAVE TO CONNECT THE DOTS AND FOCUS ON THE FUNDAMENTALS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. IT'S PRETTY SIMPLE STUFF,

FOLKS

GOOD ROADS, GOOD SCHOOLS AND GOOD HEALTHCARE.

APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> AND THIS YEAR WE GOT BACK TO THE BASICS AND MADE A DOWNPAYMENT ON THESE IMPORTANT PRIORITIES. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STARTS WITH EDUCATION. WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR KIDS IS WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR STATE. ALTHOUGH THE BUDGET I SIGNED DID NOT INCLUDE MY PROPOSED $1.4 MILLION FOR OUR KIDS, WE STILL PROVIDED THE LARGEST INCREASE IN GENERAL AID TO SCHOOLS IN MORE THAN A DECADE.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> WORKING TOGETHER, WE WERE ABLE TO INVEST MORE THAN $500 MILLION IN K-12 EDUCATION, INCLUDING THE FIRST INCREASE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION IN TEN YEARS. THANK YOU.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> I ALSO USED MY VETO AUTHORITY TO ADD NEARLY $100 MILLION MORE IN PER-PUPIL AID THAN THE BUDGET PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> BUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT EDUCATION, WE CAN'T IGNORE THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM OF STUDENT DEBT. SO TONIGHT I'M EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT I WILL BE SIGNING AN EXECUTIVE ORDER CREATING A TASK FORCE ON STUDENT DEBT IN WISCONSIN.

APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> WE HAVE TO WORK ON MAKING HIGHER EDUCATION AVAILABLE TO MORE FOLKS IN OUR STATE. WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND HOW EDUCATION-RELATED DEBT AFFECTS NOT JUST OUR STUDENTS, BUT THEIR FAMILIES, TOO. AND WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THE FACT THAT STUDENT DEBT IS PREVENTING FOLKS FROM BUYING A CAR, STARTING A BUSINESS, SAVING FOR RETIREMENT AND STARTING FOR A FAMILY. SO THANK YOU TO OUR DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS SECRETARY KATHY BLUMENFELD, WHO'S GOING TO BE LEADING THIS EFFORT. I'M EXCITED FOR THE TASK FORCE TO GET TO WORK.

APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> IN ADDITION TO INVESTING IN OUR KIDS THIS YEAR WE GOT BACK TO THE BASICS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BY INVESTING IN OUR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM. THE BUDGET I PROPOSED PROVIDED A SUSTAINABLE LONG-TERM SOLUTION TO OUR TRANSPORTATION FUNDING CRISIS AND, BY THE WAY, IT DIDN'T INCLUDE RAISING THE GAS TAX BY A DOLLAR.

APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> THAT SAID, THE BUDGET I DID SIGN, HOWEVER, PROVIDED MORE THAN $465 MILLION IN NEW FUNDING FOR OUR HIGHWAYS, LOCAL ROADS AND TRANSIT AID, $320 MILLION OF WHICH IS GOING TO FIX OUR HIGHWAYS ACROSS THE STATE. AND WE HE DID DID THAT ALL WHILE KEEPING BONDING AT THE LOWEST LEVEL IN 20 YEARS. THANK YOU ALL FOR THAT.

APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> WE WERE ALSO ABLE TO DO IMPORTANT WORK IN MAKING HEALTHCARE MORE AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE. WE WEREN'T ABLE TO EXPAND MEDICAID, WHICH WOULD HAVE ALLOWED US TO BRING IN $1.6 BILLION IN NEW FEDERAL INVESTMENT INTO OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, BUT THE PEOPLE'S BUDGET STILL MADE SOME IMPORTANT INVESTMENTS, LEAD TESTING AND ABATEMENT, STABILIZING THE INDIVIDUAL HEALTHCARE MARKET AND LOWERING PREMIUMS AND EXPANDING ACCESS TO RURAL HEALTHCARE.

APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> FINALLY, I DELIVERED ON MY CAMPAIGN PROMISE FOR A 10% TAX CUT FOR WISCONSIN FAMILIES. THE PEOPLE'S BUDGET, TOGETHER WITH BILL 251, PROVIDED MORE THAN $500 MILLION IN TAX RELIEF FOR WORKING, MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES. THAT'S MONEY BACK IN YOUR POCKETS, FOLKS.

APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> I KNOW THE BUDGET I SIGNED DIDN'T INCLUDE EVERYTHING THAT EVERYBODY WANTED. I KNOW IT DIDN'T INCLUDE EVERYTHING I WANTED. BUT BECAUSE OF THE BUDGET WE PROPOSED, WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE THE NEEDLE ON CRITICALLY IMPORTANT ISSUES, SOME FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A GENERATION. NOW, AS 2019 CAME TO A CLOSE, WE ALSO BEGAN A NEW DECADE. AND WHILE THERE IS TIME TO CONTEMPLATE TEN YEARS WORTH OF SUCCESSES AND FAILURES, WE MUST FIGHT THE TEMPTATION TO CLING TO THE NOSTALGIA OF YESTERDAY. THERE IS TOO MUCH WORK TO FIND COMFORT IN COMPLACENCY. WE MUST SET OUT ON A NEW DECADE WITH A RENEWED SET OF PURPOSE. WE MUST BE RESOLVED TO CONFRONT THE CHALLENGES WE FACE TODAY AND WE MUST BE EAGER TO EMBRACE WHAT MAY COME TOMORROW. THE STRUGGLES WE FACE WILL TEST BOTH THE DEPTH OF OUR EMPATHY AND THE STRENGTH OF OURSELFLESSNESS. BUT WISCONSINITES, I KNOW WE ARE UP FOR THIS TASK BECAUSE IT IS THE DEPTH OF OUR EMPATHY AND THE STRENGTH OF OURSELFLESSNESS THAT HAS DEFINED WHO WE ARE AS A PEOPLE FOR GENERATIONS, PEOPLE LIKE JULIE AND JOHN WHO AFTER LOSING A FAMILY MEMBER TO SUICIDE LAST YEAR DECIDED TO USE THE CORN MAZE THEY HOST AT THEIR FARM TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION. JULIE AND JOHN ARE WITH US TONIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH, FOLKS. PLEASE STAND.

APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> PEOPLE LIKE REVEREND MOWERS, WHO AFTER ONLY THE HOMELESS SHELTER IN HIS AREA CLOSED A FEW YEARS AGO WORKED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TO EX PE EXPEDITE A NEW SHELTER AND GET IT OPEN. REVEREND MOWERS IS UP IN THE GALLERY TONIGHT AND WELL DESERVED THANKS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> AND PEOPLE LIKE DUAA, WHO WHEN A GUNSHOT RANG OUT IN THE HALLS OF HER HIGH SCHOOL, RAN TO ON THE NEARBY MOT BEING MOSQUE WHERE HER FATHER WORKS AND TOOK MORE THAN 100 STUDENTS WITH HER TO PROVIDE COVER AND SHELTER. THANK YOU, DUAA, FOR YOUR COURAGE AND YOUR BRAVERY.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> BECAUSE OF PEOPLE LIKE DUAA AND DAVE, JULIE AND JOHN AND PEOPLE JUST LIKE THEM ALL ACROSS WISCONSIN THAT I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE HOPEFUL ABOUT THE FUTURE WE'RE GOING TO CREATE. WHEN WE GET TO CHOOSE HOW WE DEFINE THE NEXT DECADE, AND, FOLKS, WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT TONIGHT. WE'RE STARTING TONIGHT. IN WISCONSIN, WE'RE KNOWN AS AMERICA'S DAIRYLAND.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> IT'S ON OUR LICENSE PLATES. AND FOR GOOD REASON. IN 2018 WE PRODUCED MORE CHEESE THAN ANY OTHER STATE, PRODUCING MORE THAN 26% OF THE NATION'S CHEESE, AND WE ACCOUNT FOR MORE THAN 14% OF THE NATION'S MILK PRODUCTION. AND ALL THAT DAIRY PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING BOASTS $43.4 BILLION IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND SUPPORTS ALL OF 79,000 JOBS. YEAH. HOW ABOUT THAT.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> THAT'S MILK IN THERE. >> AND IT'S NOT JUST CHEESE AND DAIRY, FOLKS. OUR AGRICULTURE DIVERSITY IS ONE OF THE STRENGTHS OF OUR STATES. WE'RE ONE OF THE LEADING GROWERS AND PROS SOURCE PROCESSORS OF VEGETABLES AND WE PRODUCE 62% OF THE NATION'S CRANBERRY CROP. IN 2018 WE EX EXPORTED MORE THAN $3 BILLION IN AGRICULTURE PRODUCTS TO MORE THAN 140 COUNTRIES. ALL IN ALL, AGRICULTURE CONTRIBUTES NEARINGCONTRIBUTES NEARLY $105 BILLION TO OUR STATE'S ECONOMY.

APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY THESE NUMBERS TELL A STORY OF THE FOLKS WHOSE SWEAT, WORK AND PRIDE HAVE BEEN THE PILLAR OF OUR STATE FOR GENERATIONS. AMERICA'S DAIRYLAND IS MORE THAN BUSHELS AND BALES AND HUNDREDWEIGHTS. IT'S ABOUT PEOPLE. WISCONSIN WAS RAISED ON THE LAND OF NATIVE AMERICANS WHO CAME BEFORE US AND BUILT ON THE BACKS OF ITS FARMERS WHO CAME OVER THEM AND SURVIVED BY THE HAND OF THE KIDS AND GRANDKIDS WHO ARE THE KEEPERS OF THIS LEGACY. YET THIS TRADITION HAS BEEN CHALLENGED. WE LOST ABOUT A THIRD OF OUR DAIRY FARMS. WE LEAD THE NATION IN FARM BANKRUPTCIES. WE'VE ENDURED THE CONSEQUENCES OF UNNECESSARY AND UNPRODUCTIVE TARIFFS AND TRADE WARS. WE'VE HEARD PEOPLE WHO HAVE SAID THERE'S NO PLACE FOR SMALL FARMS ANYMORE. THEY OUGHT TO GO BIG AND BUST. WELL, THEY ARE WRONG. THEY DON'T KNOW WISCONSIN.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> AND IN THIS STATE, NO ONE CARRIES THE BURDEN ALONE. WE HAVE LEANED ON FARMERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. WE HAVE DEPENDED ON THEIR DEDICATION. AND WE RELIED ON THEIR RESILIENCE. WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN THOSE WHO HAVE SHARED THE HARVEST AND BOUNTY, FEEDING OUR FAMILIES, OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR STATE AND OUR COUNTRY FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY. TONIGHT WE SAY THAT WE ARE READY TO BE A PARTNER IN THE PROMISE OF POSTERITY.

APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> I'M ANNOUNCING A THREE-PRONGED PLAN TO START ADDRESSING THESE CHALLENGES. FIRST I'M CALLING A SPECIAL SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE NEXT WEEK TO TAKE UP LEGISLATION TO INVEST IN OUR FARMERS, AGRICULTURE INDUSTRIES AND OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> THE PACKAGE OF BILLS WE'LL ANNOUNCE TOMORROW INCLUDES A BILL CREATING THE WISCONSIN INITIATIVE FOR DAIRY EXPORTS.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> WE HAVE TO START MAXIMIZING THE EFFICIENCY IN OUR SMALL AND MIDDLE SIZE FARMS AND WE NEED TO BUILD WISCONSIN'S DAIRY BRAND IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS AND INCREASE DAIRY IMPORTS. EXPORTS. SO WE'RE GOING TO -- SO WE'RE GOING TO SET A GOAL OF INCREASING WISCONSIN'S DAIRY EXPORTS BY 20% OF THE UNITED STATES' MILK SUPPLY BY THE YEAR 2024.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> ADDITIONALLY, WE'RE GOING TO EXPAND OUR FARM CENTER AND INCREASE STAFFING AT THE UW-EXTENSION TO ENSURE THAT FARMERS AND AGRICULTURE INDUSTRIES HAVE PARTNERS AND SUPPORT CLOSER TO HOME.

APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> AT THE SAME TIME, WE'RE ALSO GOING TO WORK TO GET THE FOOD OUR FARMERS PRODUCE TO THE TABLES RIGHT HERE IN WISCONSIN. SO WE'RE NOT ONLY GOING TO BOLSTER OUR FARM-TO-SCHOOL PROGRAM, BUT WE'RE ALSO ANNOUNCING OUR FARM-TO-FORK PROGRAM THAT WILL HELP CONNECT OUR FARMERS AND THE FOOD THEY PRODUCE WITH OUR UNIVERSITIES, TECHNICAL COLLEGES, OUR HOSPITALS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES ACROSS THE STATE.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> FINALLY, WE'RE GOING TO CREATE A NEW PROGRAM THAT WILL FOCUS ON GETTING OUR FARMERS ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN WISCONSIN.

APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> OUR FARM CENTER IS DOING IMPORTANT WORK IN THIS AREA, BUT WE KNOW FOLKS ARE REALLY STRUGGLING AND THEY NEED ACCESS TO THOSE RESOURCES CLOSER TO HOME. OUR MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM WILL ASSIST FARMERS IN ACCESSING MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AND COORDINATE LOCAL AND REGIONAL PEER SUPPORT PROGRAMMING AND PROVIDE CONFIDENTIAL, ONE-ON-ONE COUNSELING AND ASSISTANCE TO OUR FARMERS.

APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> THE SECOND PRONG OF OUR PLAN IS ENSURING THAT INVESTING IN FARMERS, AGRICULTURE AND RURAL COMMUNITIES IS PART OF OUR BROADER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES. SO TONIGHT I AM ALSO ANNOUNCING THAT I'LL BE WORKING WITH THE WISCONSIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO ESTABLISH THE OFFICE OF RURAL PROSPERITY.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> THE OFFICE WILL PROVIDE ON ONE-STOP SHOP FOR THE FOLKS TO NAVIGATE STATE PROGRAMS AND THE RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE THAT ARE TAILORED TO RURAL COMMUNITIES, BUSINESSES AND WORKERS. FINALLY, THE THIRD PRONG OF OUR PLAN IS TO DEVELOP A LONG-TERM STRATEGIES ON THIS ISSUE, NOT BASED ON WHAT FOLKS IN MADISON THINK IS BEST, BUT BASED ON THE FEEDBACK AND INPUT FROM FOLKS ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> SO TOMORROW I WILL MAKE GOOD ON MY CAMPAIGN PROMISE TO CREATE A BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION TO HELP PROMOTE AGRICULTURE AND RURAL ECONOMIC PROSPERITY.

APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> OUR BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION ON RURAL PROSPERITY WILL CONVENE FOLKS IN DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES FROM ACROSS THE STATE. THEY'LL WORK TOGETHER TO DEVELOP A LONG-TERM STRATEGY ON HOW WE CAN BEST SUPPORT THE NEEDS OF RURAL WISCONSINITES AND RURAL COMMUNITIES.

APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> SOME OF THESE PROPOSALS AREN'T NEW. MANY OF THEM ARE A FORM OF WHAT I PROPOSED IN MY BUDGET THAT WERE UNFORTUNATELY TAKEN OUT. BUT HERE'S THE BOTTOM LINE, FOLKS. WE'RE LOSING MORE THAN TWO DAIRY FARMS A DAY. AND FOR EACH DAY WE DELAY, THE CHALLENGES WILL GET HARDER AND HARDER. SO I WANT TO BE CLEAR. I'M NOT UNDER ANY MISGUIDED BELIEF THAT WHAT I'M PROPOSING TODAY IS A SILVER BULLET. IN THE COMING MONTHS, IT'S GOING TO TAKE MORE LISTENING THAN TALKING TO HEAR FROM OUR FARMERS AND OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES ABOUT HOW WE CAN CONTINUE TO INVEST IN AGRICULTURE AND RURAL PROSPERITY ACROSS OUR STATE. BUT WE HAVE TO START SOMEPLACE AND WE'LL START TOMORROW.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> FINALLY, IN ADDITION TO ADDRESSING THESE CHALLENGES, I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT ANOTHER ISSUE FOLKS IN OUR STATE FAIR ABOUT. IN 2017, HANS, A DAIRY FARMER AND A LINCOLN COUNTY BOARD SUPERVISOR, INTRODUCED A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING NONPARTISAN REDISTRICTING, KICKING OFF A TREND. TODAY 50 COUNTIES REPRESENTING 78% OF THE PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN HAVE PASSED SIMILAR RESOLUTIONS. HANS IS UP THERE IN THE GALLERY WITH US TONIGHT. HANS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> UNFORTUNATELY, NONPARTISAN REDISTRICTING LEGISLATION HAS BEEN INTRODUCED FOR YEARS, EVEN RECEIVED BIPARTISAN SUPPORT. THE BILL HAS NEVER BEEN GIVEN A PUBLIC HEARING. WELL, WHEN MORE THAN 80% OF OUR STATE SUPPORTS ITSELF MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND 80% SUPPORT UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS, 70% SUPPORT EXPANDING MEDICAID AND ELECTED OFFICIALS CAN IGNORE THOSE NUMBERS WITHOUT CONSEQUENCE, FOLKS, SOMETHING'S WRONG.

APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> THE PEOPLE WHO WORK IN THIS BUILDING, WHO SIT IN THESE SEATS AND WHO DRIVE THE POLICIES IN OUR STATE SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO IGNORE THE PEOPLE WHO SENT US HERE. THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE IS THE LAW OF THE LAND AND, BY GOLLY, PEOPLE SHOULD NOT TAKE "NO" FOR AN ANSWER.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> SO TONIGHT, AS PROMISED, I AM BRINGING THE FIGHT FOR NONPARTISAN REDISTRICTING TO THE LEGISLATURE.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> IN THE COMING DAYS, I WILL BE SIGNING AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO CREATE A NONPARTISAN REDISTRICTING COMMISSION WHO WILL DRAW THE PEOPLE'S MAPS.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> OUR NONPARTISAN REDISTRICTING COMMISSION WILL CONSIST OF THE PEOPLE OF OUR STATE, NOT THE ELECTED OFFICIALS, NOT LOBBYISTS, NOT HIGH-PAID CONSULTANTS. THE PEOPLE'S MAPS COMMISSION WILL VISIT EVERY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, HEAR DIRECTLY FROM FOLKS AND DRAW FAIR, IMPARTIAL MAPS FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO TAKE UP NEXT YEAR.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> I BELIEVE AND WISCONSINITES DO, TOO, THAT PEOPLE SHOULD GET TO CHOOSE THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> SO WHEN THE PEOPLE'S MAPS ARE PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATURE NEXT YEAR, I HOPE THEY WILL RECEIVE UNANIMOUS, BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> THE NONPARTISAN REDISTRICTING AND INVESTING IN OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES, TO ADDRESSING YOUTH VAPING AND CAPPING THE COSTS OF INSULIN, TO CHOOSING TO CLOSE THE DARK STORE LOOPHOLE AND GETTING PFAS OUT OF OUR WATER, WE'VE GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> THERE'S NO REST FOR THE ELECTED, FOLKS, AND WE'VE GOT A LOT TO DO TO GET DONE BEFORE ANYONE TAKES A VACATION.

APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> BUT AS I STAND HERE TODAY AND WE TURN TO FACE THE HORIZON OF THE UPCOMING DECADE, I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE HOPEFUL ABOUT WILLS. AND IT'S UP TO US TO DECIDE WHAT KIND OF STATE WE'LL BE TEN YEARS FROM NOW. WE CAN CHOOSE TO RELITIGATE PAST POLITICAL TUSSLES OR WE CAN CHOOSE TO TRANSCEND ANIMOSITY TO RISE AND GREET THE PROBLEMS BEFORE US.

APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> WE CAN CHOOSE TO RESENT THE HAND THAT HELPS ANOTHER OR WE CAN CHOOSE TO CELEBRATE OUR NEIGHBOR'S PROSPERITY BECAUSE THEREIN LIES OUR PROSPERITY, TOO.

APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> WE CAN CHOOSE TO SAY IN THIS STATE YOU GO IT ALONE OR YOU DON'T GO AT ALL, OR WE CAN SAY IN WISCONSIN WHEN WE MOVE FORWARD, WE ALL GO TOGETHER.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> AND YOU BET. WE WILL MOST CERTAINLY FACE CHALLENGES. AND, YES, WE WILL FACE ADVERSITY. BUT LET US CHOOSE TO BE DEFINED NOT BY OUR DIFFERENCE, BUT BY OUR DIFFERENCE. LET'S CHOOSE TO BE DEFINED BY THE DEPTH OF OUR EMPATHY AND THE STRENGTH OF OUR SELFLESSNESS AND LET US PLUNGE INTO THE NEW DECADE FACING THE CHARGE OF OUR BEARERS WHO CAME BEFORE US. LET'S MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> IT'S TIME TO GET TO WORK, FOLKS! THANK YOU. AND ON, WISCONSIN!

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

FOLKS

[UW BAND PLAYING AND MEMBERS CLAPPING]

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

FOLKS

>> AND SO CONCLUDES GOVERNOR TONY EVERS' SECOND STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS BEFORE THE WISCONSIN ASSEMBLY AND SENATE. WHILE THE UW MARCHING BAND FINALLY GOT BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE TO APPLAUD TOGETHER. >> THEY WERE GOT QUITE ON THE SAME PAGE ON A LOT OF STUFF, BUT THEY LIKED THE BAND FOR SURE. >> THAT'S RIGHT. THE HEADLINE FROM THE POLICY PART OF GOVERNOR EVERS' SPEECH TONIGHT COULD BE SAID TO BE THAT HE IS CALLING A SPECIAL SESSION NEXT WEEK AROUND AGRICULTURE. >> YEAH. IF YOU'RE A GOVERNOR THAT HAS A REPUBLICAN-DOMINATED LEGISLATURE AND YOU DON'T SEE EYE TO EYE TO THEM ON MANY BIG THINGS, WHAT'S ONE THING YOU CAN DO AND THEY'RE NOT GOING TO NECESSARILY PASS YOUR BILLS OR BUDGET? YOU CAN CALL A SPECIAL SESSION. SO THAT'S SOMETHING GOVERNOR EVERS HAS DONE BEFORE. HE'S GOING TO DO IT ON AGRICULTURE. HE'S GOING TO BE CALLING THE SPECIAL SESSION THE SAME WEEK THAT VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE IS IN WISCONSIN. WE KNOW THAT DAIRY IS GOING TO BE A HEAVILY POLITICAL ISSUE IN THE YEAR 2020 IN THE DAIRY STATE. AND GOVERNOR TONY EVERS IS GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT THIS IN A SPECIAL SESSION. >> HE SAYS THAT THIS SPECIAL SESSION HAS KIND OF A RAFT OF BILLS INCLUDED IN IT. ONE WOULD BE ABOUT INCREASING EXPORTS OF DAIRY PRODUCTS. ANOTHER WOULD BE TO ALLOW BETTER ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTHCARE FOR DAIRY FARMERS. AND ANOTHER WOULD BE TO ESTABLISH SOMETHING CALLED THE OFFICE OF RURAL PROSPERITY. NOW, THE OTHER THING, ANOTHER HEADLINE PERHAPS FROM THIS SPEECH MIGHT BE THAT GOVERNOR EVERS SAYS THAT HE WILL BE EXACTING AN EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REDISTRICTING. HE SAYS HE WILL CREATE A NONPARTISAN REDISTRICTING COMMISSION TO CREATE WHAT HE CALLS THE PEOPLE'S MAPS. >> THE THING TO REMEMBER ABOUT BOTH OF THESE SESSIONS, SPECIAL SESSION AND EXECUTIVE ORDER, HE CAN CALL THE SPECIAL SESSION. HE CAN'T FORCE THE LEGISLATURE TO MEET. HE CAN SIGN AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT DOESN'T CARRY THE FORCE OF LAW. SO THERE ARE LIMITATIONS TO WHAT THE GOVERNOR CAN DO IN THESE AREAS, BUT DEFINITELY GOT HIS SIDE OF THE AISLE FIRED UP ON THOSE. >> AND NOT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE AGAIN NOTED, RIGHT? WISCONSIN STATE SENATE PRESIDENT ROGER ROTH WILL LEAD REPUBLICANS IN THE SESSION. >> HE REPRESENTS WISCONSIN STATE SENATE DISTRICT 19 IN THE FOX VALLEY. HE HAS TONIGHT'S REPUBLICAN RESPONSE. >> GOOD EVENING. I'M SENATE PRESIDENT ROGER ROTH AND I REPRESENT APPLETON AND PART OF THE FOX VALLEY, WHERE MY WIFE REBECCA AND I LIVE AND RAISE OUR FIVE YOUNG CHILDREN. IT'S AN HONOR FOR ME TO SPEAK WITH YOU TONIGHT AND SHARE THE PROGRESS WISCONSIN HAS MADE FOR OUR WORKERS, BUSINESSES AND FAMILIES ALL ACROSS OUR STATE. WISCONSIN IS DOING GREAT. THE STATE OF OUR STATE IS VERY STRONG. IN THE LAST DECADE, WISCONSIN REPUBLICANS HAVE ENACTED REFORMS THAT CONTINUE TO IGNITE OUR ECONOMY AND HAS TAKEN OUR STATE FROM BUDGET DEFICITS TO BUDGET SURPLUSES. WE HAVE MADE INVESTMENTS IN OUR STATE'S INFRASTRUCTURE, WORKER TRAINING, IN OUR KIDS' EDUCATION. THE RESULTS HAVE BEEN SPECTACULAR ECONOMIC GROWTH, RECORD LOW UNEMPLOYMENT, HIGHER WAGES AND FROZEN COLLEGE TUITION, ALL WITHOUT RAISING TAXES. IN FACT, THE AVERAGE RESIDENT'S TAX BURDEN IS AT ITS LOWEST LEVEL IN NEARLY 50 YEARS, WHILE INCOMES CONTINUE TO GROW. THAT'S A WINNING COMBINATION. IT'S THE WISCONSIN WAY. AND IT'S ALL MADE POSSIBLE BY THE TOUGH REFORMS WE PASSED THAT HAVE PROVEN TO BENEFIT WISCONSIN FAMILIES FROM ASHLAND TO WHITEWATER IN EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN. THE REPUBLICAN BUDGET WE PASSED AND SIGNED INTO LAW PRIORITIZES TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE, EDUCATION AND INCREASES HEALTHCARE ACCESS FOR ALL WISCONSINITES, ALL WITHOUT ASKING YOU TO PAY MORE IN TAXES. WE INVESTED MORE MONEY IN THE RAINDYRAINY DAY FUND SO THE STATE DOESN'T ASK YOU TO PAY MORE AT THE WORST POSSIBLE TIME. RECENTLY GOVERNOR EVERS WAS ASKED TO GRADE HIS FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE. HE GAVE HIMSELF A GRADE OF INCOMPLETE. I APPRECIATE HIS HONESTY. LISTENING TO MADISON ELITES WHILE IGNORING THE REST OF WISCONSIN ISN'T A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS. UNFORTUNATELY, HE HAS VETOED IMPORTANT LEGISLATION WE CRAFTED HAND IN HAND WITH THE PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN. HE VETOED A MIDDLE CLASS TAX CUT THAT WOULD HAVE PROVIDED $340 MILLION IN RELIEF. HE VETOED A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS CENTER IN NORTHWEST WISCONSIN IN FAVOR OF SENDING THAT MONEY TO, YOU GUESSED IT, MADISON. FRIENDS, HE EVEN VETOED A BILL PROTECTING OUR MOST VULNERABLE YOUTHS, BABIES BORN ALIVE AFTER A FAILED ABORTION. YET DESPITE ALL OF THIS, WE AS REPUBLICANS ARE COMMITTED TO CONTINUING TO FIND WAYS TO WORK ON OUR COUNTERPARTS HERE IN THE CAPITOL LIKE WE DID WITH OUR MOST RECENT BUDGET. WE STAND READY TO WORK TOGETHER IN ALL THINGS THAT HOLD TRUE TO THE VALUES OF WISCONSINITES AND IMPROVE OUR STATE. THE PRIORITIES THAT WE'LL BE LEADING ON OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS DO JUST THAT. WE'LL BE WORKING ON LEGISLATION TO KEEP DRIVING DOWN HEALTHCARE COSTS, STREAMLINE INEFFICIENCIES IN OUR GOVERNMENT, PROTECT OUR FAMILIES WITH TOUGHER PENALTIES FOR REPEAT CRIMINALS AND RETURN BACK TO YOU YOUR HARD-EARNED MONEY TO LOWER PROPERTY TAXES. AND WE'LL DO ALL OF THIS WHILE DEFENDING YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO FREE SPEECH, TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS AND DUE PROCESS UNDER THE LAW RIGHTS THAT SOME HERE IN THE CAPITOL ARE SEEKING TO ROLL BACK. AS A KID GROWING UP IN MENASHA, I HELPED MY FATHER BUILD HOUSES AT A VERY YOUNG AGE. I SAW HOW COMING TOGETHER WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND YOUR NEIGHBORS BUILDS NOT ONLY A HOME, BUT A COMMUNITY WE CAN ALL BE PROUD OF. LIKE YOU, I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO PUT IN A HARD DAY'S WORK, NOT GIVING UP UNTIL THE JOB'S COMPLETE. WE HERE IN THE LEGISLATURE WILL NEVER FORGET THAT AS WE CONTINUE TO WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT GOVERNMENT BARE BARRIERS DON'T STAND IN THE WAY OF YOU PURSUING YOUR DREAMS. IN 1851, WHEN OUR FOREBEARERS CHOSE A MODEL FOR OUR GREAT STATE, SHE THEY SETTLED ON ONE POWERFUL WORD, "FORWARD." I THINK THAT'S BECAUSE THEY WERE AN UNSATISFIED PEOPLE, ALWAYS MOVING FORWARD, ALWAYS WORKING TO BETTER THEIR LIVES, BETTER THEIR COMMUNITIES AND BETTER THEIR CHILDREN'S FUTURE. COME TO THINK OF IT, THEY WERE A LOT LIKE YOU AND ME. AND WE HERE TODAY ARE HEIRS TO THEIR FAITH, DETERMINATION AND SACRIFICE. AND SO TO YOU I SAY, COME, LET US GO FORWARD TOGETHER. AFTER ALL, IT'S THE WISCONSIN WAY. AND ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I'D LIKE TO WISH MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE REBECCA A HAPPY 9TH ANNIVERSARY AND WITH THAT, FROM THE CAPITOL, GOOD NIGHT AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS OUR GREAT STATE. >> THAT WAS WISCONSIN STATE SENATE PRESIDENT ROGER ROTH. >> IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO WATCH TONIGHT'S SPEECH AND THE REPUBLICAN RESPONSE AGAIN, WE WILL HAVE IT POSTED LATER THIS EVENING ON OUR WEBSITE AT pbswisconsin.org. WE WILL HAVE CONTINUING COVERAGE AND REACTION TO GOVERNOR TONY EVERS' STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS THIS FRIDAY EVENING AT 7:30 ON "HERE AND NOW." >> WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO FOLLOW DEVELOPMENTS FROM THE CAPITOL, BOTH ON THE AIR AND ONLINE AT wpt.org. YOU CAN ALSO HEAR MORE DISCUSSION ON THE MORNING SHOW TOMORROW. WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS EVENING. I'M SHAWN JOHNSON WITH WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO. >> AND I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG WITH PBS WISCONSIN. THANKS FOR JOINING US. THIS CONCLUDES OUR COVERAGE OF THE 2020 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.