Governor’s Budget Supports Secretary of State’s Push to Modernize Services and Improve Access and Transparency

MADISON, WI: As part of the Governor’s 2025-2027 budget proposal, the Office of the Secretary of State is championing key investments to modernize government services, improve efficiency, and enhance the security of Wisconsin’s official records. Decade-old funding restrictions have left the office without the resources necessary to upgrade outdated systems to safeguard critical state documents and ensure efficient public services.

“Right now, the Office of the Secretary of State is operating under an outdated and inefficient funding structure that limits the ability to modernize services and protect vital government records,” said Secretary Godlewski. “Wisconsinites expect secure and accessible records, whether it’s for business transactions, legal matters, or historical preservation. Without the ability to reinvest customer fees, the office is unable to implement much-needed security upgrades and service improvements that our customers are already paying for. Governor Evers’ budget proposal takes an important step toward correcting these imbalances, ensuring that Wisconsin’s government works efficiently, securely, and transparently for the people it serves.”

Last year, the Secretary of State’s Office processed more than 15,000 documents for international business, students, and adoptions. It also maintains and preserves Wisconsin’s official government records, many of which are critical for legal, historical, and public transparency purposes.

“For Wisconsin’s government to serve the people, it must be accessible, efficient, and secure,” said Secretary Godlewski. “At a time when trust in government is more important than ever, this budget takes critical steps to modernize outdated systems, strengthen security, and ensure Wisconsinites receive the high-quality service they expect and deserve. Governor Evers’ budget proposal prioritizes making government work for the people—delivering real solutions that improve efficiency and transparency for families, businesses, and communities across Wisconsin.”

“Even with decade-old funding restrictions holding back necessary improvements, the Governor’s budget request for the Secretary of State’s Office does not use any new taxpayer dollars. I look forward to working with the legislature to advance these commonsense updates that will strengthen service delivery for businesses, families, and communities across Wisconsin,” Godlewski said.

Key Priorities of the 2025-2027 Budget Proposal

Modernizing Services & Improving Customer Access

• Allows fees collected for services to be reinvested directly into improving and expanding service delivery, rather than being redirected back to the state’s general fund.
• Expands capacity for high-demand services like expedited document authentication, helping businesses, students, and families who rely on timely government processing.
• Align state law with the requirements of the Hague Convention treaty and the U.S. State Department by clarifying the Secretary of State’s apostille and authentication duties.
• Invests in future online and digital infrastructure to streamline operations, improve access, and reduce processing delays.

Improving Security & Transparency of Wisconsin’s Government Records

• Allocates funding to digitize executive, legislative, and local government records for public access.
• Allocates funding to securely store executive, legislative, and local government records as prescribed by state law.
• Restores two full-time staff positions to manage and maintain official government records.
• A two-year project position to create a sustainable, long-term record-keeping system.

About the Wisconsin Secretary of State’s Office

The Wisconsin Secretary of State’s Office maintains official state records, authenticates documents for international use, and promotes government transparency. The office, an independent constitutional office, submits its budget request as part of the Governor’s biennial budget process to ensure it has the necessary resources to meet its statutory responsibilities.

Secretary Sarah Godlewski is committed to modernizing services, strengthening public access to records, and ensuring responsible financial stewardship.

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.