Dear President Kapenga and Speaker Vos:
Congratulations, again, on your re-elections to the Legislature and to leadership of your respective chambers. I look forward to working with both of you and your Democratic colleagues in the next legislative session on many important issues facing our state, including helping working families who are facing rising costs due to national inflation and restoring the reproductive freedom Wisconsinites before the Supreme Court of the United States overturned Roe v. Wade, all while finding common ground to make significant investments in our public schools, continue fixing our roads, expand high-speed internet, keep our communities safe through increased state support to our local partners, among several other critical issues that we know Wisconsinites overwhelmingly support.
The State of the State address will be delivered on February 7, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 16.45, I respectfully request to deliver the budget message at 7:00 p.m. on February 28, 2023 or March 7, 2023. While I will be available both days, my preference would be to deliver the budget address on March 7. A later date this year will allow both the State Budget office and the Legislative Fiscal Bureau additional time to review year-end economic activity in 2022 and updated 2023 economic forecasts. Thank you in advance for your consideration. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my chief of staff, Maggie Gau, with any questions in the interim. I hope you and your families have a happy and safe holiday season, and I look forward to working together and having a productive legislative session in the new year.
Sincerely,
Tony Evers
Governor
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Speaker’s Communications
December 2, 2022
The Honorable Tony Evers
115 East, State Capitol
Madison, WI 53702
Dear Governor Evers:
Thank you for your letter. We look forward to working with you on a number of critical issues facing Wisconsin, including the removal of barriers to employment driven by licensure backlogs, limiting the intrusion of government into families lives and pocketbooks, addressing the surge in violent crime and making our communities safe, helping students who have fallen behind by teaching them how to think instead of what to think, and providing parents with opportunities to escape systematic educational failures.
In our last letter addressing the State of the State, we warned about soaring inflation rates and the impact on family budgets. Unfortunately, these concerns have become reality as our constituents struggle to pay for fuel, groceries, and provide for their families. These are the issues that Wisconsin wants us to work together on.
We are ready to get to work and welcome your input on your plan to best address these issues. It is our honor to invite you to deliver the State of the State address to a joint session of the Wisconsin State Legislature at 7:00 p.m. in the Assembly Chambers on one of the following dates: January 10, January 17, or January 24.
We would also like to respectfully request that you deliver your budget message at 7:00 p.m. in the Assembly Chambers on either February 14 or February 15.
We look forward to hearing both addresses and thank you for your consideration to this request.
Sincerely,
ROBIN J. VOS
Assembly Speaker
CHRIS KAPENGA
Senate President
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Speaker Vos asked unanimous consent that the Assembly stand informal. Granted.
The Assembly stood informal.
6:48 P.M.
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Informal
6:59 P.M.
The Assembly reconvened.
Speaker Vos in the chair.
Speaker Vos appointed Representatives Drake and Sapik to escort Governor Tony Evers from his office to the Assembly Chamber.
Assembly Sergeant at Arms Anne Tonnon Byers announced the arrival of the Honorable Justices of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Assembly Sergeant at Arms Anne Tonnon Byers announced the arrival of the members of the Wisconsin State Senate.
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Joint Convention
The houses went into joint convention.
Senate President Kapenga presiding.
Senator Kapenga recognized the presence of Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez, Attorney General Josh Kaul, Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly and State Treasurer John Leiber; Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, Justice Patience Roggensack and Justice Brian Hagedorn of the Wisconsin Supreme Court; and Wisconsin Tribal Leaders: Chairman Ron Corn of the Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin, Vice Chair Thomas Fowler of the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin, Chairman Tehassi Hill of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, President Shannon Holsey of the Stockbridge-Munsee Community, Treasurer Manny Johnson of the Forest County Potawatomi, Vice Chair Jessica Ryan of the Brothertown Indian Nation and President Marlon White Eagle of the Ho Chuck Nation.
Assembly Sergeant at Arms Anne Tonnon Byers announced the arrival of Governor Tony Evers.
Escorted by Senators Pfaff and Wanggaard, and Representatives Drake and Sapik, Governor Tony Evers took his place at the rostrum to deliver his state of the state address.
Pursuant to Joint Rule 73, the governor’s message is printed in the Senate journal only. Senator Kapenga moved that the joint convention arise.
The question was: Shall the joint convention arise?
Motion carried.
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7:48 P.M.
The Assembly reconvened.
Speaker Vos in the chair.
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Adjournment
Representative August moved that the Assembly stand adjourned until 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, January 26.
The question was: Shall the Assembly stand adjourned?
Motion carried.
The Assembly stood adjourned.
7:49 P.M.
