MADISON, WI (WSAU) -- The Tony Evers era has begun.
The Democrat took the oath of office alongside four other elected officials Monday at the Capitol in Madison. Also sworn in were Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, Attorney General Josh Kaul, Secretary of State Doug Lafollette, and State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski.
Barnes used his inaugural address to speak of bringing the state together and creating opportunities for those who might not otherwise have them, saying a child's path in life should not be determined by their zip code.
"I intend on focusing the office of Lieutenant Governor on the core principals of equity and sustainability because we have a responsibility to make sure that opportunity exists in every community across our state."
Evers spoke of working for Wisconsin values and prioritizing education, saying what's good for Wisconsin's children is good for the state. He also made funding for roads and other infrastructure a priority, which he spoke about at length during the campaign process.
The 46th Governor of Wisconsin also called for kindness and respect in the political process.
Attorney General Kaul promised to make the state safer by working with lawmakers to craft legislation that would prevent another backlog of untested sexual assault kits. He also outlined a plan for a "Red Flag" law, which he says would allow family members or Police to go directly to a judge to ask for someone to be immediately disarmed if they are a legitimate threat to the public or to themselves.
Kaul also called for more funding for mental health professionals in schools.
The other constitutional position, Secretary of the Department of Public Instruction, was not sworn in. Evers named Carolyn Stanford Taylor to that post last week, she will finish out the term Evers was elected to and will be up for election in April of 2021.
The inaugural events will conclude tonight with a ball, or as Evers put it during his speech "folks, let's polka tonight and get to work tomorrow. Thank you, and on Wisconsin!"
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