Two separate agencies responsible for child support and child welfare.
Two separate systems, two separate bureaucracies that families must navigate, leaving them frustrated and confused.
In my budget, I'm proposing a major shift in the way state government serves our families. We will create a single Department of Children and Families, with an intense and singular focus on the safety, economic and social well-being of our youngest citizens. We'll make sure that bureaucracy never gets in the way of doing what's right for our kids.
Milwaukee Package
Whether you live in Milwaukee or Marinette, the future of our state's largest metropolitan area affects you. For Wisconsin to thrive, we need a strong and growing Milwaukee. It is a great and vital city -- our center of culture and commerce, the hub of our economy. Yet Milwaukee also faces unique challenges. Unless our entire state joins together to help meet those challenges, our entire state will suffer.
Next week, I will join with leaders in Milwaukee to announce a comprehensive strategy to help the Milwaukee metro area to succeed and thrive. From supporting kids, to cracking down on violent crime, to creating jobs and investing in infrastructure, I'll ask you to join me in making an investment in Milwaukee for the sake of all Wisconsin.
Environment
I've spoken tonight of opportunity - and the opportunities before us are nearly limitless. But we also are entrusted with great responsibility.
From the quiet waters of the Apostle Islands to the abundant forests of Northern Wisconsin, to the majestic farmland valleys of the Mississippi, we have been blessed with incredible natural beauty in Wisconsin. And as St. Luke reminded us, to whom much is given, much is required.
Since the days of Gaylord Nelson, more than a million acres of pristine Wisconsin lands have been permanently set aside - forever protected so that our great hunting, fishing, and conservation traditions will always be safe. In the last four years, we have added 160,000 acres to this legacy, including the largest purchase in history, the Wild Rivers Forest that spans more than 100 square miles in Northeast Wisconsin.
Unless the Legislature acts, this program will expire, and our preservation efforts would come to an end. Tonight, I am challenging the Legislature to reaffirm decades of bipartisan support - and reauthorize the Stewardship Program.
And speaking of good stewardship, we must also live up to our responsibility as protectors of the largest body of fresh water in the world. One year ago in Milwaukee, ten Governors and Premiers signed the Great Lakes Water Resources Compact to preserve these waters for future generations. Tonight, I urge you to ratify this compact.
But we have other responsibilities as well.
Over the past few years, the world has awakened to the growing, accelerating threat of global warming.
There is no question that global warming demands immediate action by the federal government. It is a disgrace that so many national leaders have turned a blind eye to what is a scientific fact. Yet the scope and consequences of this problem are so massive that the responsibility for action rests not only with our leaders in Washington, but with all of us.
With new technology, and a commitment to renewable fuels, we can not only reduce the carbon emissions that cause global warming, we can and will help this nation kick its addiction to foreign oil.
In my budget, I'll propose the next major step forward in our effort to become America's leader in energy independence - a $40 million investment in renewable energy like solar, wind, hydrogen, biodiesel and ethanol.
We'll provide incentives to dramatically increase the availability of E-85. We'll move four university campuses off the power grid in the next five years. And next year, we'll more than double our commitment to energy conservation.
Tonight, I am announcing a Governor's Task Force on Global Warming, comprised of business, industry, labor, environmental, government and community leaders to develop a comprehensive plan of action that we can all get behind.
Of course, one state, acting alone, can't do everything. But my fellow citizens, we have a responsibility to do everything we can. I ask you to join me, and make a commitment that when it comes to global warming solutions, Wisconsin will lead the way.
Ethics and Campaign Finance Reform
Tonight, we've talked about an aggressive agenda of change and reform. And some pretty big change happened just today.
Earlier this afternoon, Republicans and Democrats joined together to agree on the most sweeping ethics reform in thirty years - creating a strong Government Accountability Board that will have the power to enforce our laws, investigate and bring prosecutions against those who violate the public trust.
It is a model for what can happen when people in both parties set aside differences and do what's right, and I look forward to signing it into law.
But we shouldn't stop there.
Every two years, our TV sets are bombarded by nasty and negative ads from shadowy groups that don't play by the same rules as everyone else.
But we can put a stop to it. Tonight, I ask you to end the phony issue ads...and require these groups to follow our campaign finance laws. They should disclose their donors, abide by contribution limits, and be forbidden from taking corporate contributions that would otherwise be illegal. Let's pass this vital reform now, and clean up Wisconsin's airways.
Finally, we need to improve the way campaigns are financed in Wisconsin.
Today, we have new leadership and a new opportunity to achieve consensus. I have asked Speaker Huebsch and Senator Robson to work with me to come up with a strong, comprehensive bill that can win the support of both parties. Let's get this done, and do what's right for the people of Wisconsin.
Conclusion
I'd like to close tonight by recognizing three young people who sum up what this is all about.
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Please welcome members of the eighth grade class of Franklin Middle School in Green Bay -- Jordan Gilliam, Sidney Ly and Tyler Dessell. Thanks for being here kids.
These students have agreed to be among the first to sign the Wisconsin Covenant.
Later this year, I'll join with them as they pledge to stay in school, maintain a B average, be good citizens and take courses that prepare them for college. Over the next four years, they'll have to work hard in high school to live up to that commitment...and we are going to have high expectations of them.
In return, we'll make the dream of affordable college a reality for them and their families.
I've spoken often of the Wisconsin Covenant, which is really part of a broader promise I believe we must make to all the hardworking families of Wisconsin.
Together, we must make Wisconsin a place where anyone who is willing to roll up their sleeves and work hard...can afford to get an education, buy a home, raise a family, and enjoy all the good things that life in our state has to offer.
Yes, Wisconsin is filled with opportunity...and filled with a determined people ready to seize it.
Now let's get to work.
Thank you, and On Wisconsin."
__________________
Adjourned.
7:56 P.M.
