Green Bay Reporter

Gov. Tony Evers (D-WI) used the Jan. 3 swearing-in ceremony, marking the start of his second term, to proudly reflect on what he thinks the moment says about the state.

"Given the opportunity to abandon the virtues that define us, Wisconsinites chose to embrace a better history," Evers said in his inaugural speech.

He tweeted the same day: "As jazzed as I am today, I am also humbled. Just as I did four years ago, I'm taking my oath of office again today with a grateful heart — for your trust, for your faith and for your confidence in me.”

As the state’s 46th governor, Evers also made it a point of reaffirming his agenda, highlighting the major changes he is pushing for, especially on issues like abortion.

"We must restore the freedoms that Wisconsinites had until June 23, 2022, the day before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade,” he said in his speech. “And I believe that together we will.”

On the issue of education, Evers reasserted his commitment to smaller classrooms and publicly funded schools. Later, he again pushed for legal marijuana, taking the position that the state has been left behind and needs to progress in order to better support its residents.

"We must have a meaningful conversation about treating marijuana much like we do alcohol," he said in the address.

As a born-and-raised Wisconsinite, Evers proudly touched on how he’s remained connected with voters and why so many of them ultimately made the decision to once again turn out to support him.

“People voted because they believe, as I do, that when we deliver tax relief, it should be targeted to the middle class to give working families a little breathing room in their family budget, not to give big breaks to millionaires and billionaires who don’t need the extra help to afford rising costs,” he said in the inaugural speech. "People voted because they believe, as I do, that we should expand BadgerCare and work to ensure everyone has access to quality, affordable health care."