Gov. Evers tells LADCO meeting he hopes for more cooperation in Madison on funding local communities

A visit to the La Crosse area Monday by Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, who is optimistic about getting more cooperation among state leaders in this year’s budget talks.

Evers was in Onalaska for the annual La Crosse Area Development Corporation (LADCO) luncheon.

A month into his second term, Evers said he is looking to increase shared revenue, sending more sales tax money, and other funding, to local governments.

The state Legislature has sat on billions in budget surplus for over a year. It’s now projected to hit $7.1 billion.

“We’re hopeful people will be active in the budget debate, so that we get municipalities the money they need, and get small businesses the money they need,” Evers told reporters.

The governor told LADCO members at the Stoney Creek Inn that he did veto “a lot of bills” in the last session, but still signed about two-thirds of the bills that came to him.

“There seems to be agreement on all sides” on sharing state revenue, Evers said. “Issues around school funding, I think, will be a little more contentious, but I think people understand Republicans and Democrats need to accomplish that also.”

The governor is talking about increasing funding for local business development, providing workforce innovation grants, and continuing the Main Street Bounceback program.