Wisconsin Governor Evers Outlines Legislative Priorities in State of the State Address

Proposals focus on lowering healthcare costs, property tax relief, and funding for local governments and schools

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers is expected to use his upcoming State of the State address to outline his legislative priorities for 2026, including plans to lower healthcare costs for families, negotiate state funding for local governments to lower property taxes, and increase funding for local schools. The proposals come as the state is projected to have a $2.3 billion budget surplus, leading to debates over how best to provide tax relief to residents.

Why it matters

Evers' proposals aim to address key issues facing Wisconsin residents, such as the rising cost of healthcare and property taxes. The negotiations over how to utilize the state's budget surplus could have significant impacts on the financial well-being of families and local communities across Wisconsin.

The details

Evers is proposing to send $1 billion in state funds to local governments along with $237 million in property tax relief programs for veterans, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and others struggling to afford property taxes. However, Republican legislative leaders have differing views, with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos comparing tax cuts to "cake" and suggesting rebates may be "less easy to do." Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said Senate Republicans plan to vote next week on a $1,000 income tax rebate for married-joint filers and $500 for all others.

  • Evers is expected to deliver his State of the State address on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
  • The Wisconsin Senate plans to vote on its tax rebate proposal next week.

The players

Tony Evers

The Governor of Wisconsin, who is expected to outline his legislative priorities in the upcoming State of the State address.

Robin Vos

The Republican Speaker of the Wisconsin Assembly, who has expressed differing views on tax cut proposals compared to Governor Evers.

Devin LeMahieu

The Republican Senate Majority Leader in Wisconsin, who has announced the Senate's plan to vote on a tax rebate proposal next week.

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What they’re saying

“Whether you need more room in your budget for groceries, or if Governor Evers' 400-year veto sent your property tax bill through the roof, the State Senate intends to vote next week to return the surplus to the people who created it in the first place: you, the taxpayers.”

— Devin LeMahieu, Senate Majority Leader

“Healthcare shouldn't be a privilege afforded only to the healthy and the wealthy, but that's exactly what is happening as Republicans have gutted Medicaid to pay for tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires, while refusing to extend the tax credits under the ACA that make healthcare more affordable for millions of Americans. It's wrongheaded.”

— Tony Evers, Governor

What’s next

The Wisconsin Senate plans to vote on its tax rebate proposal next week, while negotiations between Governor Evers and legislative leaders continue over the final details of any tax cut or relief package.

The takeaway

Governor Evers' legislative priorities for 2026 reflect key issues facing Wisconsin residents, such as the rising costs of healthcare and property taxes. The debates over how to utilize the state's budget surplus highlight the differing approaches between the Democratic governor and Republican-controlled legislature, which will need to be resolved through negotiation and compromise.