Gov. Jim Doyle is set to deliver his final State of the State Address Tuesday at 7 p.m.
The State of the State Address is a chance for Doyle to explain state issues and plans for the coming year. Because Doyle is not running for re-election however, there is speculation surrounding which successes he will highlight, challenges he will address and topics he will leave on the shelf.
No information about the content of Doyle's speech has been released, leaving parties on both sides of the aisle unsure if their predictions will hold true.
Molly Rivera, chair of UW-Madison College Democrats, said Doyle will likely stress his successes in health-care reform and said, ""[The Democrats] did a lot of great health-care expansions in Wisconsin.""
Last week, the state Senate passed a job creation bill, the C.O.R.E Jobs Act, on a bipartisan vote. According to Jim Bender, spokesperson for state Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald, R-Horicon, Doyle may also address issues such as unemployment and the state of Wisconsin's economy.
""[The Democrats] have done nothing legislatively to put measures forward to help create jobs,"" he said.
Bender said Doyle will likely not address subjects such as taxes and spending.
""[Doyle] has balanced the budget using string and bailing twine,"" he said.
Rivera agreed it will be difficult for Doyle to speak about budget constraints, but said he will likely mention the topic.
Doyle's announcement in summer 2009 that he would not run for re-election led some to speculate that Doyle's decision was motivated by budgetary issues.
After the Democratic Party saw their 60th U.S. Senate seat relinquished to Republicans last week, Doyle's open seat gives Republican candidates the opportunity to take another spot currently held by a democrat.
Regardless of Doyle's decision, Rivera said, ""[Doyle] should provide a unified front for the Democratic Party [in Wisconsin].""
