MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today delivered the Democratic Radio Address highlighting initiatives in his 2023-25 biennial budget proposal to support working families, bolster Wisconsin’s workforce, and maintain the state’s economic momentum. More information regarding the governor’s plans is available here.

Hey there, Governor Tony Evers here.

Folks, we have many accomplishments in Wisconsin to celebrate this year—we have the largest surplus in state’s history, our unemployment rate is at a record low, and the state labor market participation rate is well above the national average.

And that’s great news, but it also means the stakes are high for our next biennial budget. We must make additional key investments to maintain our economy’s momentum, bolster our workforce, and prepare our state for the 21st century.

It’s why I’m proposing major investments in Wisconsin’s workforce with initiatives to build the future we want for our state.

We’re investing in growing industries like clean energy to build a workforce for the future, addressing the teacher shortage by incentivizing our homegrown talent to stay here in Wisconsin, and recruiting, training, and retaining nurses and folks in our healthcare workforce, especially in our rural communities.

But we’re not stopping there.

We also know that to build a sustainable workforce here in Wisconsin, we must connect the dots that impact an individual’s well-being and the ability to be successful, like access to affordable housing, education, transportation, child care, and in-demand skills training.

So, my biennial budget continues critical programs like our Workforce Innovation Grants that are focused on providing long-term solutions designed to bolster efforts in our local communities to address their unique needs because we recognize there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the workforce challenges communities are facing.

I’m also proposing important initiatives to expand paid family and medical leave, increase access to affordable child care, and strategic investments in housing, healthcare, and more to reduce barriers for folks who want to join our workforce.

We’re going to build on the progress we’ve made to maintain our economic momentum, build a workforce for the future, and support kids and working families.

And I know that together we will. Thank you.