Audio File of Radio Address.

MADISON — Governor Tony Evers on March 2nd, delivered the Democratic Radio Address highlighting his K-12 education priorities, shared last month in his 2023-25 Biennial Budget Message.

Hi folks, Governor Tony Evers here, wishing you a happy Public Schools Week!

As a former teacher, principal, superintendent, and state superintendent, and now as governor, I’ve spent most of my life fighting for Wisconsin’s kids.

Our K-12 schools have returned to the top 10 in the country. We’ve invested in general aid, expanded funding for special education, and increased per pupil aid by more than $300.

But we also know that, for years, communities have raised their own property taxes to keep schools’ lights on. The bottom line is this: we can and must do more.

That’s why I’m calling on the Legislature to join me in doing what’s best for our kids by approving the largest increase for K-12 schools and education in our state’s history.

We’re going to make targeted investments to improve reading and literacy outcomes for our kids and expand financial literacy curriculum across our state.

We need to keep class sizes small to improve outcomes for our kids, so we’re helping experienced teachers get back into our workforce and investing over $20 million into recruiting, developing, and retaining teachers and student teachers.

We also know that our kids can only achieve their full and best potential when they can bring their full and best selves into the classroom.

Our kids should not be hungry ever, but especially at school. So we will fully fund universal school breakfasts and lunches so every kid can be focused on their schoolwork—and not when or whether they’ll eat next.

Our kids are facing mental health challenges, perhaps more than ever, so we’re expanding my “Get Kids Ahead” initiative so that every kid has access to school-based mental health services.

Folks, with a historic surplus, we have an historic opportunity and historic responsibility to do what’s best for our kids. On March 2nd, we can finally afford to do more. And I know that together we will.

An online version of this release is available here.