This year has been declared the “Year of the Worker” after Governor Tony Evers delivered his State of the State address on Tuesday.

Finding long-term solutions to teacher and nurse shortages, expanding paid family leave, and giving more help to better funding child-care centers were some ideas the Democratic governor suggested to begin addressing the issue. Evers also expressed his opposition to a proposed 14-week abortion ban, his support to providing more mental health resources to children, his disappointment in the lack of action on PFAS funding, and his wishes to expand contraception coverage in the state during his approximately 45-minute address.

Heading into the evening, State Senator Andre Jacque expressed his hopes that Evers would extend an olive branch to the Wisconsin Legislature and build on the progress they could have in 2023.

State Rep. Joel Kitchens said after the address that he appreciated Evers' acknowledgment that the two sides could accomplish much by working together, which was happening less in previous years. He did echo Assembly Speaker Robin Vos’ critique of Evers not addressing how he would return some of the state’s record surplus to the taxpayers.

Both Jacque and Kitchens are optimistic that they will be able to accomplish a lot before the Wisconsin Legislature goes on recess at the end of February.