Cspan is your unfiltered view of government were funded by these Television Companies and more including cox. Extremely rare hi. But friends dont have to be. This is when youre connected youre not alone. Cox, cspan as a Public Service along with other Television Providerses, giving you a front row seat to democracy. Wisconsin democratic governor tony highlighted investment and health care during the annual state of the state address in the Capitol Building in madison, this is about 45 minutes. [applause] at this time i introduce to you governor of the state state of wisconsin. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. [applause] [cheering] no i didnt see i asked one of the four legislators that were coming down with me to one of them to do aid anybody do that . No, darn it next year. Good evening wisconsin, Honorable Supreme Court justices, tribal nation leaders members of the Wisconsin National guard and active and retired members of our armed forces. Cabinet members, Senate President , majority leader minority leader speaker vass minority leader and legislate stores, distinguished guests, and wisconsinites joinings here and from afar thank you for being here with us tonight im tony proud to be here as the 46th governor of the great state of wisconsin too deliver my 2024 state of the state address. [applause] [cheering] my daughter katy and my grandson keaton are here with us tonight an for a minute i would like to give a special shoutout to my better half kathy who is here as well. [cheering and applause]■t kathy was named at 2023 caregiver hero by social services which is awarded in honor of our good friend governor former governor marty kathy was recognized for her advocacy around alzheimers and other dementia including making executive r and dementia friendly location and Kathy Francis im so proud of you. I love you so much. [applause] thank you. Wisconsin its been one heck of a year and i have much to report but i delivered my 2023 state of the state address a year ago. We are kicking off wisconsins 175th birthday and celebrating 175 years of statehood. Wisconsin is never been in a better fiscal position. [applause] wisconsin i begin tonight with even better news. As we enter 2024, our state has never been in a better fiscal position than we are today better than last year, beaters better than when i took office and better than any year in wisconsin 176 years of statehood. We began this in the best fiscal position in our States History. We set out to prepare a break through budget a rare opportunity to define our prosperity and together we did we needed to take responsibilities for some of our state most important obligations, but we still couldnt afford to be careless or reckless. We needed to make investments in priorities long neglected but we still had to say where we could and stay priewngt and well within our means while still marching towards the future were working hard to build together. Our bipartisan efforts on housing are our good example. I completed my fourth 72nd county tour of wisconsin this past december and been to every county at least four times and sometimes many more and no matter who im talking to or where i go, our Largest Community is our smallest of villages, wisconsinites tell me we need more Affordable Housing and i agree. [applause] building a housing in every corner of our state is critical to make sure wisconsin is prepared to meet the needs of a 21st industry work force and invested in building Affordable Housing units and 2500 last year alone and more than 24,000 Housing Units total. And were not stopping there. This past year, we worked together to invest more than 500 Million Dollars in work force housing, one of the Largest Investments in our States History. [applause] were working every day to make sure our work force economy and infrastructure are ready to meet the needs of of the 21st industy to make sure farmers and manufacturers have the infrastructure they need to get from point a to point b safely when i took office years of this investment that caused roads and bridges to crumble and disrepair so youre darn right weve been fixing the damn roads. [applause] all we have to do is find those orange barrels since 2019 weve improved over 7,424 miles of roads and 1780 bridges including over 900 miles of roads and over 200 bridges last year alone. [applause] weve also worked with our minnesota an federal partners to secure 1 billion in federal funding to support our effort to replace the bridge and superior. It is a critical economic driver for our state and supports our largest port on the great lakes. And ill tell you this its got done you bet and i tell you this weve got this done because theres no one, no one who has been fighting harder in washington to bring this investment back home and tammy baldwin. [cheering and applause] when i was here four years ago i had a plan to address our states dairy crisis, i later probably signed a bipartisan bill creating Wisconsin Initiative for agricultural exports. Were working meet our Ambitious Goals and increasing the value of wisconsins agricultural exports by at least 25 by mid2026. So we Work Together last year to invest two Million Dollars to help promote wisconsin milk and dairy meat, crop and other products around the world. [applause] and also proud that administration worked with the great lakes indian fish and Wildlife Commission and tribal nations last year on a new effort to preserve and restore wild rice in wisconsin. Wild rice has been harvested here for thousands of years but threatened by the effects of changing climate and Water Quality we secure nearly 2 Million Dollars to support researching and developing strategies to help conserve this important Cultural Resource for future generations. [applause] serving and protecting our Natural Resources and land continues to be a top priority for my administration. Im also excited to announce tonight that im approving a largest contribution effort in our States History. And partnership with the Biden Administration and Conservation Fund weve approved the conservation easement for the Pelican River forest remaining acres to protect the forest for generations of future wisconsin to use and enjoy. This is a big deal, folks. [applause] wisconsin, this is a future were building and no matter where you live you can see thef. And in wisconsin today, a kid got ready for school, and put on their favorite milwaukee brewery shirt because we worked last year to keep Major League Baseball in wisconsin through 2050 that kid can graduate, and start a family in wisconsin and theyll be able to take their kids out to the ball game or the brewers can still be the home team. [applause] today wisconsin running joining from their tv at home, is using electricity that is 100 solar powered, and carbon free because weve proofed enough Solar Projects across our state 4,000 mega watts worth to power more than 750,000 wisconsin homes with average electricity usage for 365 days straight. [applause] in wisconsin, today volunteer ems an fire providers and receiving increase and two College Safety issues with new ems equipment and incidents in south side of milwaukee will have quicker response times and possible because we Work Together to provide increase in shared revenue, state support that goes directly back to our local communities. [applause] a bipartisan effort included in 20 increase in support to most municipality statewide. Af our state asking for local partners to do more with less today were working to deliver a promise of making sure our communities can meet the unique needs alike. Today [applause] today in wisconsin one of our nation heros has joined our work force after transcigging from service back to civilian life. Went to work today in a good paying family supporting job, right here at home in wisconsin were proud to announce we now rank fourth in the country for successfully helping veterans find employment. [applause] we all have to be proud of that. Wisconsinites this is the state of the state and future we spent years working hard to build together. Let me be clear these results and our accomplishments dont mean doesnt mean our work is finished if anything it is efforts to continue, there is as always more we can do and that work begins in earnest year tonight lets start with these are real threat to our kids our families, our communities these human made chemicals can be toxic to humans and wildlife. And theyve been used in everyday products for more than a half a century. In wisconsin, where we hunt, fish, and want to trust the water coming from our tap, and where our economies rely upon Water Resources for life stock, crops and outdoor reck reck regulation a threat to our way of life and our economy. Thats why i directed 10 Million Dollars into a new statewide program to help contaminates like pifas to get contaminates like pifas out of our water supply and proud to report this program is helped replace our abandoned nearly 500 contaminated water wells across wisconsin. After five years of calling for legislative action we saw the first real and meaningful state investment to specifically address pfas in our States History last year that legislature and i both approved 125 Million Dollar investment to start tackling pfas across our state. Thats great news. Thats great news but heres the law i signed that budget last july today is january 23rd been over 200 days and republicans have not released one cent of that investment. 125 Million Dollar investment to fight pfas statewide sitting right here in madison because republicans refuse to release it thats breathtaking. Republicans, please release this funding so that we can get it out to families, child care facilities, schools, businesses, and communities across the state who need it. [applause] now another area where we must work to do to do more and quickly is talking Mental Health. [applause] i said here last year that i fear the state of Mental Health in wisconsin was a quiet crisis, one i still believe will have cascading effects for generations that goes unaddressed. So i declared 2023 the year Mental Health in wisconsin and yes, we accomplished some important Work Together. We fought hard to secure another 30 Million Dollars in this budget to build upon our successful get Kids Ahead Initiative to provide Mental Health services to Mental Health services to every School District in wisconsin. [applause] but i dont need to remind this legislature that i requested more than 500 Million Dollars last year to help expand access and mental and behavioral state Services Statewide one year after declaring Mental Health ill tell you tonight as governor and as a grandfather, my concerns have not changed and my fears have not waned. Ns. I am here to report highly concerning levels of anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts. That is still especially true for teen girls in lgbtq kids but one third of her High School Kids still experience feelings of sadness and hopelessness. Nearly every day while one in 10 teens have attempted suicide nearly half of lgbtq use seriously, seriously considered suicide. Today at one and six kids experience is a serious episode of depression in 2023. I used to be one in seven. My administration and i are not going to let up on our work on this issue in 2024. We are going to double our efforts take a whole of government approach. Tonight i am announcing i am creating Interagency Council on Mental Health and directing wisconsin state agencies to Work Together to reduce barriers and address gaps and Mental Health services. Were going to develop a statewide Mental Health action plan to address the root causes of our Mental Health crisis, increase awareness and reduce stigma and to build capacity for us to expand access to Mental HealthServices Statewide. [applause] [applause] [applause] our states Mental Health challenges are very, very significant. Lets do more and urgently make a difference on this issue in 2024 but we have to and i am optimistic we will because our kids are leading the way. Students are doing amazing work three student led program called raise your voice. It is part of an effort led by wisconsin to educate, support, empower youth to talk openly about Mental Health by the program at Merrill High School began with just eight kids and then it grew. These students have helped expand the program to other mental schools and high schools across the region with more than 200 members. Males raise your voice advisors and founding students are here in the gallery tonight. Please join me in recognizing them it lets readers solve tonight to do the work to support our kids. Where are they . [applause] [applause] now, as we continue looking toward the important work we have to do before us in 2024, there are also good things on the horizon. We have important elections coming up this year including one in november. Its clear i believe we should make it easier not harder for every eligible wisconsinite to cast their ballots. [applause] and yet i will continue to veto any efforts by politicians to abuse the power to interfere with our elections just as i always have it. But. And the comet would still be announcing new steps im directing my administration to take to help ensure every eligible wisconsinite has the opportunity to participate in the most precious and fundamental function of our democracy, the right to vote. And there is more good news for a promise from the beginning i would never stop fighting for fair. I stand here tonight i have never been more hopeful that will wisconsinites head to the ballot box later this year will be voting under legislative maps and affair responsive reflect the will of the people of the state. [cheering] [applause] [cheering] [applause] and i want the folks at home to understand why they are important. Because when elected officials, gerrymandered themselves they can comfortably ignore the overwhelming majority of wisconsinites who support common sense policies. Red flag laws expanded paid family leave. And that is wrong. [applause] its happened on the issue of reproductive freedom and wisconsin over the last two years is another good example of why we need fair apps for a decade 60 of wisconsinites on average have consistently said they support abortion being illegal in most cases. And yet each time ive asked republicans to restore wisconsinites reproductive freedom to what it was the day before the Supreme Court overturned a row they said no. Because of that wisconsin women spent over a year experiencing firsthand what its like to live in the state that bands nearly all abortion even in cases of rape or incest. Today thanks to the lawsuit democrats filed days after the Supreme Court decision wisconsinites now have the same reproductive freedom and wisconsin that they did on june 23, 2022 before roe was overturned. [applause] but make no mistake the freedom wisconsinites just got back are already under attack. Republicans are advancing a bill that would ask wisconsinites to strip themselves of some of the basic reproductive freedoms that were recently restored to them. In cases and no exemptions in cases of rape or incest. Folks, wisconsinites have been abundantly clear. It is another example republicans last candidate for governor wanted to take the same freedoms and more away. You might notice hes not here to live in the state of the state address. [applause] so i want to speak directly to women in wisconsin tonight. I will veto any bill that takes away your reproductive freedom or makes Reproductive Health care and the less acceptable than it is today. [cheering] [applause] every wisconsinite should be able to access the healthcare they need and when they need it. And yes that includes contraception. That summer at the food and Drug Administration approved the first oral contraceptive pill for use without a prescription which is expected to be available in stores and online later this year. And that is great news. It currently covers overthecounter emergency contraception and daily contraception with a prescription. Today im announcing im directing department of Health Services to issue a Standing Order to serve as the prescription to over to cover overthecounter contraception including emergency contraception. [applause] [applause] so here is how it will work for it once the contraception is out on the shelves and individual on to any pharmacy to pick up the contraception they need. The pharmacy they will use the order to insurance coverage. That individual will be able to leave the pharmacy with the medication they need at no out of pocket cost. There is also work we can do together to support healthy moms, babies and families across wisconsin. Especially as we celebrate Maternal Health awareness day. Pregnant women and wisconsin up to a certain income level are eligible for their term of pregnancy it up to 60 days after they give birth. Whichever it kind of her pregnancy off that last longer than 60 days. Today a bipartisan bill would enable wisconsin to china 43 other states and already extended coverage to pregnant women for up to three to 65 days to birth. Tonight im urging republicans and democrats to Work Together to get thi the finish line. This session and send it to my desk. We have to get this done, folks. [applause] shown theres much we can accomplish when we Work Together. Today there are pressing issues that demand our work bridging partisan divide continues. I again call on the legislature to address what i believe are the two greatest challenges facing our state. The first, it decade long struggle to retain, track and train talented workers to address our states workforce shortages. And the second the disinterest in working towards a meaningful bipartisan plan to do something about it. [applause] folks know this is not a workforce plan asking more kids to work in the workforce is not a workforce plan for giving more big breaks to millionaires and billionaires is not a workforce plan. These are not serious proposals to address generational statewide issues. [applause] in april last year state Unemployment Rate hit a record low of 2. 4 last year wisconsin had an alltime lowest number of unemployed workers ever in modern history. Our states Labor Force Participation rate also consistently remained above the National Average throughout the year. [applause] its about time we got rid of the talking points there working hard. Wisconsinites working hard and they are working. [applause] my Vantage Point briefings are key to addressing estate workforce challenges. First we must find a longterm solution to our states looming childcare crisis. [applause] second, we must expand paid family leave and third must invest in Public Education at every level so our technical colleges and universities. [applause] wisconsin faces a looming childcare crisis. Skyrocketing we dont have enough childcare providers and struggling to keep the lights on. The effects are intuitive of a kid no longer has childcare or parent cannot afford it some what is going to have to stay home with them. Folks, lack of accessible affordable childcare is a state wide workforce issue. [applause] without continued investments in Childcare Council workforce will suffer mightily. 2110 childcare programs are projected to close. 87000 kids could be without childcare. We could use over 4800 childcare jobs. Thats about half a billion dollars of Economic Impacts on our states. I entered a circumference of workforce plan to stabilize our childcare industry and prevent its collapse. Republicans rejected it. Last fall i directed 170 million to keep it afloat. I want to be clear. I directed the funding but it was not enough. Wisconsin childcare providers will soon receive the final payment from the federally funded portion of childcare costs. The emergency 170 million i correct that last fall as a stopgap measure, now kicks in. Republicans are officially on the clock to make this a meaningful investments necessare meaningful investments necessary to prevent a collapse of an industry that is essential for making our current levels of workforce participation. [applause] wisconsin we also need to expand paid family leave. [cheering] [applause] propose 240 million to jumpstart a program most private Sector Workers 12 weeks of paid leave. Republicans rejected my proposal not once but twice. Paid leave is the right thing to do for kids and families. Its also what we need to do to compete and keep talented workers. [applause] and yes doing whats best for kids is whats best for our state and its whats best for our families and workforce two. So it yes we must invest in Public Education and every level from Early Childhood toward technical colleges and universities. [applause] now but will never expect republicans and democrats to agree with each other or meet for that matter on the merits of every policy one 100 of the time. That is what democracy is about. Theres no excuse for being willing to Work Together. I want everybody to agree is most pressing issue facing our state. Introduce a comprehensive work class a workforce planet twice. Anyone on either side of the aisle has a better plan than mine that not only prevents the collapse of our states childcare industry, but also helps us complete might compete met ct her neighboring states for talent and invest in Public Education at every level to prepare our kids for the future, lets hear it. I will work with any legislator, any partner, any stakeholder whos willing to engage in meaningful conversation on these issues to do the right thing for wisconsin. [applause] [applause] in the meantime my administration will continue to pursue every pathway seek every avenue to address our workforce challenges without legislative action. Just as we have for five years we will continue that work here tonights. Making sure our workforce is prepared to meet the needs of 21st century economy its a top priority for me. My administration is going to lead by example by that is why tonight i am declaring 2020 for the year of the worker in wisconsin. [applause] [applause] we are working in earnest to reduce barriers and climate so we can try to make sure every available worker can join our workforce. I directed over 150 million to fight innovative longterm solutions to our workforce challenges. Subsidized employment and skills training with local employers and support wisconsinites working to reengage in our workforce. Because of that investment we have been able to deliver it workforce training and support services to more than 33000 wisconsinites across the state. [cheering] i joined with the wisconsin laborers about a year ago to announce wisconsin have the highest Participation Rate in our registered Apprenticeship Program in two decades. In november i celebrated National Apprenticeship week and it reached an alltime record height number of participants in the registered Apprenticeship Program at 112 year history, how about that . [cheering] what. Are also areas of our workforce we need to bolster and support britt according to the department of Workforce Development wisconsin faces a potential deficit of 20000 nurses by 2040. Tween 2020 and 2030 wisconsins Healthcare Industry will feed nearly 32 annual openings across occupations. Last year my administration lost or the countrys first ever registered nurse apprenticeship pathways to help address the demand for workers and we announce a new initiative to train over 10,000 certified direct care professionals to address our states shortage of caregivers. [applause] but there is more that we have to do to address our Healthcare Industrys chronic challenges. Next week i will sign executive de creating new Healthcare Workforce a task force to focus on finding longterm solutions to restate Healthcare Industry. And make recommendations for me too consider it my next biannual budget. [applause] we also know must return to do its best for our kids. Recent estimates show only 67 of new educators in make it past five years. Through the department of workforce develop met our administration is launching a new Teacher Apprenticeship Pilot Program at the department of public instruction, to provide more mentorship and support for new educators. [cheering] and finally is one of the largest employers in the state wide menstruation is also going to make sure the state of wisconsin is leading the way by example with new efforts to recruit and retain in our state workforce. Im also announcing tonight for another office of state Employee Engagement and retention to improve retention, mentorship and engagement of our state workers across all of our state agencies. [applause] wisconsin we have proven this past year we can do big things. Especially when we are willing to do them together. I know we can build upon these efforts in 2024 and together we will. Lets get back at it. Lets get to work. Thank you and aunt wisconsin uw marching band take it away. [cheering] coming up tonight on cspan2 Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell giving an update on policy rates in the economy. Its followed by cyber and intelligence officials. Testifying on cyber threat to the u. S. Before the House Select Committee on u. S. china competition. Later while Stricter National Security recorder vivian discussing allegations against the un for palestinian refugees. Went to the october 7 attack in israel that and more coming up tonight on cspan2. Sees fans at washington journal a live form involving you to discuss latest issues in government, politics and Public Policy from washington d. C. And across the country coming up thursday morning pennsylvania democrat houlihan air force veteran arm services and Intelligence Committee discusses a drone attack on u. S. Forces in jordan, immigration and border security, u. S. Aid to ukraine and is reported brian birch east Illinois University studied religious trends talks about the political impact of recent polling showing more than more than a quarter of adults in the United States are religiously unaffiliated. See spans washington journal join in the conversation at 7 00 a. M. Eastern thursday morning on cspan, this is been out a free mobile app or online at cspan. Org. On thursday morning president by the congressional leaders will speak at the 2024 National Prayer breakfast live for you ands capitol at 8 00 a. M. Eastern on the cspan2 com cspanw free mobile video app and online cspan. Org. Cspan is your unfiltered view of government trade funded by the selfish and companies and more including cox. But friends dont have to be when youre connected youre not alone report cspan as a Public Service with other Television Providers give you a front row seat to democracy. Sunday on cspan2 q a cspan2 ua entrepreneur ai pioneer sebastian on his work in Silicon Valley the future of artificial intelligence. With a different lens. I believe the most interesting things have not been invented yet. I believe the last 150 years has been informative. From light switches to Running Water in toilets. And that is just the beginning. I really care about what technology can be invented in the future than improves the human condition. At eight eastern on cspan q and a. You can watch q and eight in all of our podcasts and are free cspan now apple. Each to reserd Jerome Powell the policy rate will remain unchanged at present. He said the current rate is around 5 is likely at its peak and will probably be lowered later this year i