Report by the Associated Press and WTMJ News
MADISON – Wisconsin Republicans have proposed sweeping legislation designed to help the state deal with the coronavirus, but the measure looks destined to stall in a political fight with Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.
The governor’s office released a summary of the GOP proposal that shows the plan would give the Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee the ability to make state budget cuts as it deems necessary and eliminate a raise for state workers next year if state revenues dip dramatically.
Evers says that provision must come out of the bill before he’ll move forward on it.
“I’m asking for the legislature to take politics out of this proposal so we can move forward on addressing the needs of our state,” Gov. Evers said in a statement.
“We have work to do folks—we don’t have time to play politics, and this provision won’t do anything to help our state respond to COVID-19 or to help our families who are struggling during this crisis. It’s time to get serious. We need to get to work and do our part to make sure our state is equipped to keep people safe and support the families, workers, and small businesses who need our help right now.”
“Negotiations were being had between legislative leaders on both sides of the aisle to come up (with a package) that hopefully all will support. The Governor is damaging that effort,” said Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke.
Last month, Gov. Evers introduced LRB-6128, followed a few days later on April 1, 2020 by LRB-6105. Summary documents of those two proposals are available here: first legislative package and second legislative package.
