Photos: Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers delivers his State of the State Address
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers delivers his State of the State Address virtually as some members of the Assembly and Senate watch from their Chambers at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers delivers his State of the State Address virtually as members of the Assembly watch from the Assembly Chambers at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers delivers his State of the State Address virtually as members of the Assembly watch from the Assembly Chambers at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Gov. Tony Evers called for a special session to address the state's unemployment insurance system during his annual address to the Legislature.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers delivers his State of the State Address virtually as members of the Senate watch from the Senate Chambers at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers delivers his State of the State Address virtually as members of the Assembly watch from the Assembly Chambers at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Republicans in the Assembly applaud Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, as he delivers a rebuttal to Gov. Tony Evers' State of the State address. In a twist from tradition caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Evers spoke by video while Vos spoke from the dais where Evers would typically deliver his speech.
State Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, watches Gov. Tony Evers' State of the State address. Earlier in the day his chamber passed a COVID-19 relief compromise bill supported by Evers.
Members of the UW-Madison marching band perform virtually after Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers' virtual State of the State Address, in the Assembly Chambers at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Evers' proposal would appropriate more than $5.3 million to allow the state Department of Workforce Development to begin modernizing the unemployment system immediately, rather than wait for spending approval in the upcoming 2021-23 budget session.
During the hearing, several GOP lawmakers, including Sen. Rob Stafsholt, R-New Richmond, criticized the state Department of Natural Resources, including Secretary Preston Cole, for submitting written testimony, but not participating in-person.
Also on Thursday, Assembly Minority Leader Gordon Hintz condemned the actions of 15 state Republicans who signed a letter to Vice President Mike Pence seeking to halt the count of electoral votes last week.