DODGEVILLE- Governor Tony Evers making good on at least one promise outlined in his State of the State address Wednesday night. The Governor officially calling for a special session to discuss issues facing the agricultural sector.
“We’re known as America’s Dairyland, but unfortunately, as too many families across our state know firsthand, our state continues to face challenges that we must work quickly to address,” said Gov. Evers.
Between July of 2018 and June of 2019, Wisconsin led the nation in regards to dairy farm bankruptcies with 45. The second highest number belonged to Kansas, which had 39 Chapter 12 cases. Minnesota was third with 31.
Lawmakers will meet in special session on Tuesday, January 28th where they’re set to discuss eight proposals related to the agricultural and dairy industries.
According to a release from the Governor’s office this morning, his office is also developing the Office of Rural prosperity, which will provide financial support to rural communities.
The last time the Governor called for a special session was back in October to address gun control; that session was not supported by the republican controlled legislature and lasted less than 30-seconds. This time around the Governor seems to have at least some support from republican leadership, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald saying he was ‘all ears’ when it comes to helping struggling farmers.