{"id":1314386,"date":"2026-02-18T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wisconsinwatch.org\/?p=1314386"},"modified":"2026-02-18T08:47:26","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T14:47:26","slug":"wisconsin-governor-tony-evers-final-state-of-the-state-brittany-carloni","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wisconsinwatch.org\/2026\/02\/wisconsin-governor-tony-evers-final-state-of-the-state-brittany-carloni\/","title":{"rendered":"As the Tony Evers chapter of Wisconsin history draws to a close, a new chapter is just beginning","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/b><\/span> 3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>\n

As Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers gave his final State of the State address at the Capitol on Tuesday, I was struck by how many of the people I\u2019ve met or covered over the past nearly six months were all in the same room. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Evers, who is not seeking reelection this year, entered the Assembly chambers shortly after 7 p.m. and spoke of his accomplishments over the past seven years with longtime Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Senate President Mary Felzkowski, R-Tomahawk, seated right behind him. All seven members of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, who have frequently been deciding factors in conflicts between Evers and Republican lawmakers, were in the audience. Statewide elected officials, including Attorney General Josh Kaul and Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly, were there. Both Democratic and Republican representatives and senators sat underneath the glass skylight to listen to Evers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In his hour-long speech<\/a>, Evers called on the Republican Legislature to take bipartisan action on issues such as tax cuts, special education school funding and corrections reform before lawmakers leave Madison and turn to the campaign trail for elections later this year. He also announced plans to call a special session for lawmakers to address a constitutional amendment to ban partisan gerrymandering. Republicans criticized Evers\u2019 remarks as a partisan speech.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The governor\u2019s address Tuesday night came as Wisconsin stands on the precipice of significant change. A new governor will be elected later this year. New legislative maps and Democratic gains in 2024 set up real competition for control of the Legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s been almost six months since I began my role<\/a> as the state government and politics reporter at Wisconsin Watch. I returned to Wisconsin, where I was born and raised, in September after starting my journalism career reporting in Florida and Indiana.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\tRelated Stories<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t
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When it comes to covering state government and politics, there\u2019s no place like Wisconsin<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\n\t
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As Tony Evers delivers his final State of the State, he remains crosswise with the GOP Legislature<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n

These initial months at Wisconsin Watch have been an exciting whirlwind as I\u2019ve immersed myself into the debates and issues facing our state. Eight years away left me with much to catch up on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve had a lot of coffee \u2014 maybe too much \u2014 as I\u2019ve met people inside and outside of the Capitol who can help me understand the deeper issues beyond press releases and social media posts. I\u2019ve attended many committee meetings, hearings and press conferences. I\u2019ve made phone calls and sent text messages when I needed explanations about the recent state budget or legislative procedures. I\u2019ve stopped by a host of Assembly and Senate offices to introduce myself, ask questions and learn what lawmakers are working on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if you read all the way through Forward, Wisconsin Watch\u2019s free weekly politics newsletter<\/a>, you will know I love diving into our state\u2019s history and seeing what it can teach us about what is happening in Wisconsin today.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"People
Wisconsin Watch statehouse reporter Brittany Carloni takes notes as Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers delivers his final State of the State address at the Wisconsin State Capitol on Feb. 17, 2026, in Madison, Wis. (Joe Timmerman \/ Wisconsin Watch)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

My curiosity and my past reporting experiences in other states have driven my work so far. In November, I looked into why Republican lawmakers sent bills to the governor\u2019s desk<\/a> that Evers would never sign. When WisconsinEye, the public affairs network, went dark for weeks between December and January, I looked beyond our borders<\/a> to understand how neighboring states film legislative proceedings. As voters face another Wisconsin Supreme Court election, I asked the candidates about their past rulings<\/a> and how they reflect how each candidate would serve on the court. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve largely found people willing to share their perspectives and point me in the direction of others who can provide the information to explain complicated topics. I\u2019ve particularly enjoyed the times I\u2019ve heard \u201cWelcome home,\u201d as I\u2019ve shared what brought me back to Wisconsin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Evers’ address and the last year in the governor\u2019s office signal an end to one chapter of Wisconsin\u2019s history. I feel like I am just getting started. If you have tips, ideas, questions or feedback, email me at bcarloni@wisconsinwatch.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wisconsin Watch<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0is a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom. Subscribe to our\u00a0newsletters<\/a>\u00a0for original stories and our Friday news roundup. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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