Almost a month after taking office, Governor Scott Walker will deliver his first State of the State Address tonight to lawmakers at the Capitol. UW-Madison Political Scientist Charles Franklin says the speech gives Walker an excellent opportunity to further outline and restate his goals, although he says it’s rare that a governor provides any concrete plans during the annual speech.
Franklin says the economy and budget problems facing Wisconsin are likely to dominate much of Walker’s plans. The Governor has hinted that a budget repair bill may need to be taken up before the end of the current biennium. Walker is scheduled to release his budget for the next biennium later this month.
Franklin says the Governor will likely have plenty of praise for fellow Republicans, after lawmakers were quick to take up his special session call for job creation legislation. He says the very active first month of his administration gives Walker a lot to point to and take credit for, largely because Republicans also control both chambers of the Legislature.
The Governor is scheduled to deliver his State of the State speech at seven this evening.
