MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers vowed in his State of the State speech Tuesday to veto any bill that would limit access to abortions and announced plans to expand access to emergency contraception.
Evers also declared 2024 the “Year of the Worker” and called on Republicans and Democrats to work together on addressing workforce issues, including expanding access to affordable housing, child care and paid family leave.
Evers also called on the Legislature to release funding to address PFAS pollution.
Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos derided the address, Evers sixth State of the State, as “typical Tony Evers.”
“Not a lot of new ideas and a lot of rehashing of old things that have been proposed over the course of the past few years and failed,” Vos said.
Evers issued his abortion veto pledge even as Republicans move forward with a measure that would let voters weigh in on whether it should be banned after 14 weeks of pregnancy.
The speech comes as Evers and Republicans who control the Legislature have had some bipartisan successes, but continue to fight over redistricting, abortion, tax cuts, election administration and other key issues in a presidential election year.