Evers moves forward with rural issues commission

After another brutal year for rural Wisconsin, leading the nation in farm bankruptcies, Gov. Tony Evers is moving forward on a 2018 campaign promise to find help.

Evers promised to convene a "blue ribbon commission" to advance agricultural and economic opportunities in rural Wisconsin.

In his Jan. 22, 2020, State of the State address, Evers announced a special session of the Legislature to address rural communities and an Office of Rural Prosperity to help farmers navigate state programs and resources. He also announced a Blue Ribbon Commission on Rural Prosperity to "develop long-term strategies on how we can best support the needs of rural Wisconsinites and rural communities."

The governor followed up the next day with an executive order formally creating the commission, which will be attached to the state Department of Administration.

Keeping this promise would mean a panel that meets and generates a report or some kind of action. For now, we rate it In the Works.