The past seven days have shown where Governor Evers true feelings lie. After watching him for the last 2 years, I keep expecting him to grow in the job, but it’s just not happening.  
 
Mandating Vaccines & Closing Churches
On Friday, Governor Evers vetoed Assembly Bill 23, which prohibited the state government from mandating someone receive the COVID vaccine. Why would he do that, if not because he wants the State to mandate the vaccine?
 
He also vetoed Assembly Bill 24, which prohibits the state from closing churches. You may remember that last year, Governor Evers closed churches during Lent, but kept liquor stores and abortion clinics open.
 
These vetoes show where Governor Evers’ priorities lie.
 
Vetoed Broadband, Transportation Infrastructure, Lead Pipes and Aid to Taxpayers, too.
 
Last week, the Legislature sent Governor Evers the “Responsible Stimulus Plan.” The Legislature clearly laid out its priorities for using this one-time windfall: $500 million for broadband, $300 million for fixing our roads, $1 billion in aid to taxpayers, and $500 million in aid for small business, long term care, tourism, farms and rural development. The plan invested millions in lead pipe replacement and mental help, too.
 
Governor Evers vetoed it all. Why? Because he said it would “delay” him providing relief. 
 
Again, Evers Makes a Promise Without a Plan (But I thought he had a plan?)
 
In late March, Governor Evers vetoed a bill that would have included the Legislature in determining how to spend the federal stimulus money. At the time, he said it would just slow him down, and he had a plan. It was announced with great fanfare.
 
Last week, he vetoed the Legislature’s plan, saying it would delay him.
 
Then, on Monday, Evers announced he would have a plan “in a few weeks”. Let’s recap:

• In March, he said he can’t wait because he has a plan and has to get the money out “quickly”.
• On April 22, he vetoed the Legislature’s plan to invest in broadband, transportation, small business, health care and more.
• On April 27 he said he’d have a plan in a few weeks!

 
This reminds me of last year, when Evers made announcement after announcement of promises of aid, with no way to access the aid.

Must be nice to be able to make the same mistakes and have the media fall for it again: Say you have a plan, attack others for trying to slow you down, veto the plan that was slowing you down, and then a month later, still not have a plan, and have no way to access the aid. That’s not helping. That’s showboating.

On Monday, April 26th, Representative Robin Vos and I, held an in-district listening session where we had the opportunity to hear from folks in Sturtevant, Burlington, and online. Below are upcoming Budget Listing Sessions in Somers and Salem Lakes. I hope to see you there!

On Saturday, April 24th I participated in No Better Friend Corp.'s Back the Badge and Building Bridges roundtable. It was great to hear the united message of accountability, transparency and backing and defending (not defunding) the police.