Gov. Evers Shares Excerpts From 2026 State of the State in Weekly Radio Address, Declares 2026 the Year of the Neighbor

Audio File of Radio Address.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers this week delivered his 2026 State of the State address, highlighting his and the Evers Administration’s efforts and successes over the past seven years to do what’s best for kids and invest in education at every level, build the 21st-century infrastructure Wisconsin needs to support a 21st-century economy and workforce, uplift the state’s farmers, producers, and agricultural industries, expand access to affordable housing, lower everyday out-of-pocket costs for Wisconsinites and working families, bolster key industries across the state, including tourism and outdoor recreation, and more. Gov. Evers also made several announcements and detailed key policy priorities for the remainder of the year.

During his eighth and final State of the State address, the governor declared 2026 the “Year of the Neighbor,” highlighting the importance of community and togetherness during divisive times and celebrating the neighbors who make Wisconsin the great place it is to call home. The governor’s address is available to watch on his YouTube channel and Facebook page.

As prepared for delivery, the excerpt from Gov. Evers’ 2026 State of the State address declaring 2026 the Year of the Neighbor is available below:
…

As governor, I’ve often declared a theme for the year—a topic or issue I want us to focus on. We had the Year of Clean Drinking Water, the Years of Broadband Access, Mental Health, Workers, and, of course, the Year of the Kid.

This year, I want to keep it simple. I want us to focus on our Wisconsin values of kindness, respect, empathy, and compassion.

I’m declaring 2026, the Year of the Neighbor, because we could all use a good neighbor, and we could all be better neighbors. And we’re going to spend the next year celebrating the neighbors who make Wisconsin the great place it is to call home.

The first responders who answer our call in our darkest hour. The librarians who help us find our new favorite book. The teachers who comfort, inspire, and educate our kids. The state worker who helped us find and apply for healthcare or job training. The veteran who served our country. The farmer who feeds our families. The nurse taking care of our loved ones. The helpers who work every day to make life just a little bit better for everyone who lives here.

Wisconsinites are helpers by nature; it’s in our DNA. When things are tough, we roll up our sleeves and get to work. We shovel a driveway or bake a casserole, and we show up for our neighbors. Because we know that, whether it’s unpredictable weather or the unpredictable nature of politics, we’re all in this together, and we’re going to get through it together, not by alienating our neighbors, but by getting to know them, by looking out for one another, and by maintaining our Wisconsin values of kindness, empathy, compassion, and respect.

Because it’s the golden rule. Because it’s the right thing to do. Because it’s who we are as Wisconsinites. …

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.