Evers makes additional cuts in state spending

Gov. Tony Evers has announced that he has directed the Department of Administration (DOA), under secretary Joel Brennan, to work with state agencies, to identify $250 million in cost savings for the current fiscal year.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on our nation, state, communities, businesses and families,” said Evers. “All state and local governments are now experiencing the difficult balance of providing vital services to residents in crisis, while also managing tough fiscal realities. While I am still hopeful that the federal government will adopt further bi-partisan proposals to stabilize funding for state and local services, in the face of continued inaction and uncertainty, the unfortunate reality is, that we must take these steps and make more significant cuts.”

The governor’s proactive directive is an effort to ensure the state is in a stronger position to weather revenue impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, while also ensuring critical services remain accessible to Wisconsin residents. Earlier this summer, also at the direction of Evers, the DOA announced the implementation of $70 million in cost savings for 2019-20, across 18 of Wisconsin’s largest state agencies.

“We have hard and urgent decisions before us, but I have full confidence that my colleagues will rise to the challenge the governor presents us with today,” said Brennan. “And, we know that Wisconsinites are depending on us to do the right thing – the right thing financially and the right thing to provide support during these uncertain times.”