Governors Deliver Final State of the State Addresses in Ohio and Wisconsin

In February and March 2026, two U.S. governors delivered their final State of the State addresses as each approaches the end of his tenure. In Wisconsin, Gov. Tony Evers spoke on Feb. 18, 2026, while in Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine addressed a joint session of the legislature on March 12, 2026. These are separate, unrelated events occurring in different states. In his address, Evers said Wisconsin saved taxpayers more than $600 million by paying off approximately $3 billion in debt, and stated that taxpayers would see over $2 billion in tax relief annually going forward. He also said middle-class taxpayers received a 23 percent income tax cut, which he described as more than double what he had promised during his campaign. In Ohio, DeWine used his final joint address to draw on his record in office while making requests for remaining legislative priorities, including a primary seatbelt law and legislation regulating artificial intelligence. Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman responded that measures requiring state spending would likely not receive consideration until after DeWine leaves office. Both addresses mark the close of each governor's tenure, with attention now turning to how state legislatures respond to their final requests. In Ohio, the fate of DeWine's proposed seatbelt and AI measures remains uncertain, with Huffman's comments suggesting delayed action on cost-related items. In Wisconsin, no legislative response or dispute over Evers' fiscal claims was reported in the available coverage. Details on any additional proposals from either governor, and the ultimate legislative outcomes, remain unresolved.