Sen. Jeff Smith: Gov. Evers’ budget reflects the priorities of the people – Madison.com

Gov. Tony Evers delivers his second budget address Tuesday in a prerecorded video, rather than in the traditional address to the Legislature, another change caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Jeff Smith | Democratic member, Wisconsin Senate

Budgets are necessary to keep us on track, lay out our priorities and work toward what we want to accomplish. Every two years, the governor introduces a budget that reflects the values of our state. The state budget is a moral document just as much as its a financial map for the years ahead. When state leaders approve the budget, were showing the world who we are and what we stand for.

At a time when America was building back after the social and economic crisis of the Great Depression, President Franklin Roosevelt famously said, The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little. I consider these words as the golden rule for our states budgeting responsibility.

Gov. Evers appears to already be following the golden rule set by President Roosevelt. Gov. Evers introduced his 2021-23 budget earlier this month, but he set some impressive goals in previous weeks that should make Wisconsinites proud. The governors budget will go a long way toward supporting our small businesses and critical industries, making health care more affordable and helping communities across our state recover from the pandemic.

The budget aims to address many of the issues that were apparent long before the pandemic, but were made even more visible in the past year, including Wisconsins agricultural crisis. The governor prioritized rural prosperity efforts last year and is, once again, committed to strengthening Wisconsins essential industry. His budget proposal invests $43 million to support our farmers, provide additional mental health resources and create partnerships throughout the food supply industry. More than $28 million of this investment will go toward expanding agricultural market opportunities, supporting new and innovating farming practices and strengthening our agricultural workforce.

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Sen. Jeff Smith: Gov. Evers' budget reflects the priorities of the people - Madison.com