UPDATE: MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has signed a sweeping pandemic relief package into law even though he says it doesn't go nearly far enough. The bill largely ensures that Wisconsin can capture can capture the $2.3 billion allocated to the state under the federal stimulus bill, including higher Medicaid payments.
The measure also eliminates the one-week waiting period for unemployment benefits and allocates $75 million in emergency funding. Evers said in a statement that the bill doesn't help workers at risk of infection, small businesses or farmers but he doesn't want to delay the state's response.
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MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The Wisconsin state Senate has overwhelmingly approved a sweeping coronavirus relief package in a virtual session. The bill would ensure that Wisconsin can capture $2.3 billion in federal aid, including higher Medicaid payments and unemployment benefits.
Lawmakers would be allowed to allocate up to $75 million in funding. The Senate voted on the bill via videoconferencing Wednesday. Democratic Sens. Lena Taylor and Tim Carpenter complained that Republican Senate President Roger Roth wouldn't let them speak.
The bill passed unanimously in the end and now goes to Gov. Tony Evers, who is expected to sign it.
The state Assembly overwhelmingly passed the bill Tuesday during the first virtual legislative session in Wisconsin history. About two-thirds of the Assembly’s members participated via videoconferencing to avoid the risk of contracting the virus at the state Capitol. The roughly 35 members who showed up in person sat several seats away from each other and were scattered around the chamber to maintain social distancing. The Senate session was expected to look much the same.
The bill largely ensures that Wisconsin can capture the $2.3 billion coming to the state under the federal stimulus bill, including higher Medicaid payments and unemployment benefits. The Legislature’s budget committee would be allowed to allocate up to $75 million in funding until up to 90 days after the public health emergency ends.
The measure also would waive the state’s one-week waiting period to receive unemployment for anyone who applies between March and Feb. 7, 2021, and ban certain insurers from prohibiting coverage based on a COVID-19 diagnosis. Furthermore, it would ease the licensing and credentialing processes for health care workers, reduce nurse training hour requirements and render health providers immune from civil liability for services provided during the pandemic. Local municipalities also could choose to defer their residents’ property tax payments.
Senate passage would send the bill to Evers, who would have to sign it by Friday to capture the enhanced Medicaid payments. His spokeswoman, Melissa Baldauff, said Evers will sign the measure barring any last-minute changes in the Senate.
“The governor all along has asked the Legislature to act with urgency and he will act as soon as possible,” Baldauff said.
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Associated Press writer Scott Bauer contributed to this report.
