Gov. Evers Discusses Key Issues: K-12 Education, Farming, and Immigration During Rhinelander Visit

RHINELANDER, Wis. – Governor Tony Evers recently delivered his seventh State of the State address. Now, he is traveling around the state to share his plans, with a stop in Rhinelander on Thursday.

One of the key topics he highlighted was K-12 education funding. He expressed a desire to change the complex funding system in the future. For now, he aims to ensure that school districts receive funds for special education and other important programs. “We need to get the money to the schools promptly,” he said.

Next month, the governor will reveal his budget proposals, detailing how much he wants to allocate to education and other areas.

Immigration issues are becoming increasingly pressing. Governor Evers warned that if stricter measures are enforced against undocumented individuals, it could have serious repercussions for Wisconsin’s agriculture sector. “If authorities start rounding up people, agriculture, especially dairy farming, could suffer greatly,” he said.

Local organizations like the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation and the Wisconsin Farmer’s Union recognize the importance of immigrant workers in farming. Worker verification is crucial for these farms, as immigrants carry out a significant portion of agricultural labor. “They need to ensure that the workers coming onto the farm are legitimate,” remarked Julie Keown-Bomar, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Farmer’s Union.

Both organizations are actively providing information to their members on what to do if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) visits a farm. According to the Farmer’s Union, immigrants account for 70 percent of the workforce on Wisconsin dairy farms.