GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – With concerns ranging from healthcare to education, Wisconsinites got the chance to make their voices heard about how they want the state to use its budget.
Gov. Tony Evers hosted a state budget listening session Tuesday evening at UW-Green Bay. With a room full of concerned citizens, he said it was the most popular session yet, aside from a virtual session he held a couple weeks ago.
With a projected $6.6 billion surplus for the 2023-2025 budget, many citizens are eager to hear how the state plans to spend its money in the upcoming years.
Evers stressed the importance of citizen input before the room broke into discussion groups, saying that the bi-annual budget is the most important policy document he has as governor.
“Budgets are about priorities,” said Evers. “They’re a reflection of your values, my values, the state of Wisconsin’s values. And obviously the budget has been always about doing the right thing for the people of the state.”
Evers barely spoke for the rest of the night after the introduction, as he took notes while people voiced their concerns. Lt. Gov.-elect Sara Rodriguez followed suit in her groups.
Attendees shared their priorities with Evers and Rodriguez — advocating for better access to mental health resources, recommending the state remove its income limits on the school choice voucher program and asking for more farm-grown food in schools and hospitals.
Evers is set to deliver his budget proposal Feb. 15. The Legislature then takes up the proposal and makes its changes before releasing a final version in the summer. That version then heads to the governor’s desk for a final signature.
