Wisconsin is Working!

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Wisconsin is Working!

Ambitious Agenda

Wisconsin is Working. 

Employment in our state is at an all-time high and the unemployment rate of 2.9% is at a historic low. To continue to build our workforce, we invested more actual dollars into schools than ever before and included major increases into our technical college system. We balanced our budget and had another surplus, yet still eliminated the state property tax. In fact, the cumulative impact of our tax relief through the end of the budget is $8 billion. We froze University of Wisconsin tuition for six years in a row to make college more affordable for students and working families. And our health care systems are ranked number one in the nation for quality.  

To build on our successes, we laid out an ambitious agenda during our State of the State Address in January. A special thanks to the members of the State Legislature who passed our Ambitious Agenda for 2018: 

More Funding for K-12 Education

On top of our historic overall investment in schools (an extra $200 per student this year and, on top of that, another $204 per student increase next year), we gave rural schools with unique costs more aid and low revenue districts more help to ensure that every child has access to a great education. Our plan passed with bipartisan support on votes of 90-3 in the Assembly and 31-1 in the Senate.

Health Care Stability

Because health care costs are a growing concern, we proposed a plan that will lower premiums, increase choices, and stabilize health care in Wisconsin. This is particularly important for people on the individual market like small business owners and family farmers. The measure passed with bipartisan support on votes of 79-16 in the Assembly and 23-9 in the Senate.  

We are delivering on Wisconsin priorities and getting positive things done for the people of Wisconsin.

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$100 Million School Safety Plan Signed into Law

School Safety


When it comes to school safety, protecting our students, teachers, and administrators from any threat is our top priority.

That’s why this week I signed our bipartisan $100 million School Safety Plan into law at Victor Haen Elementary School in Kaukauna to ensure our schools remain a safe place to learn.

The School Safety Plan was created with input from the Legislature and stakeholders and includes five major components:

  • An Office of School Safety within the Wisconsin Department of Justice to work with law enforcement and schools to establish best practices for school safety and provide training opportunities and other relevant resources to schools.
  • $100 million to fund a new grant program for security upgrades to school buildings and other eligible costs.
  • Reporting requirements for any threats of school violence.
  • Grant funding to implement Trauma-Informed Care and Adverse Childhood Experiences training in schools.
  • Strengthens school safety plan requirements by requiring all schools to consult with local law enforcement and conduct on-site assessments of all pupil occupied areas.

As a country, we made necessary changes after 9/11 to ensure that firearms, explosives and other weapons could not get on an airplane. We should do similar things to ensure that our schools are safe. Our plan passed with bipartisan support on votes of 78-8 in the Assembly and 28-4 in the Senate. 

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    Boy Scouts of America Annual Report

    Boy Scouts


    Scout’s Law: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

    It was a pleasure to host fellow scouts at the State Capitol today for the Boy Scouts Annual Report to the Governor. I remember presenting Governor Tony Earl with the report in the 1980s. It was a special experience then, and it remains so today.

    Wisconsin’s scouts serve as positive role models for youth across the state through their leadership, volunteerism, and dedication to service.

    We are proud of their hard work and commitment to improving Wisconsin.

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    Wisconn Valley Construction Resource Fair

    The development of Wisconn Valley will require tens of thousands of hardworking construction professionals from across the state.

    In order to fill this need, the State of Wisconsin, in partnership with the City and County of Racine, the Village of Mount Pleasant, Racine County Economic Development Corporation and the Southeast Wisconsin Workforce Development Board, will be hosting the Wisconn Valley Construction Resource Fair for those looking to explore a future career in construction on March 29th.

    The Wisconn Valley Construction Resource Fair will connect individuals with community resources to understand the skills needed to launch a career in construction.  Resource Fair workshops include: Apprentice Readiness and Contractor Referral; Emerging Transportation Career Trends; Resource to Start and Grow Your Business; and Talent Development Initiatives for Foxconn and Beyond.

    The FREE event will be from 1-4 p.m. at the Racine Civic Centre, 5 Fifth Street in Racine. Event parking is free in the lot south of the main entrance. In addition, individuals from Milwaukee and Kenosha counties may register for free event transportation by calling the organization in their community: Milwaukee Careers Cooperative at (414) 937-8260 or Kenosha Achievement Center at (262) 658-9568.

    Follow the link below to learn more about this exciting opportunity.

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    We enjoy sharing all the great news about our state with you. It is an honor to serve as your Governor and represent the people of Wisconsin.

    Sincerely,

    governor scott walker signature

    Governor Scott Walker

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