Governor Evers Signs Bill Including COVID Liability Protections, UI Reforms
Date Fri, Feb. 26, 2021 - 9:24am By Hamilton
On Thursday, February 25, Governor Tony Evers signed 2021 Act 4, legislation including both COVID liability protections and reforms to the state’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) system. The bill cleared the Legislature with widespread support, passing the Senate by 27-3 on February 18 and the Assembly by 89-0 on February 23. Senate President Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield), […]
Governor Signs DOR Bill, Including Provision on PPP Loans
Date Fri, Feb. 26, 2021 - 9:21am By Hamilton
On Thursday, February 18, Gov. Evers signed into law the first act of the 2021 legislative session, a bill making various changes to the laws administered by the Department of Revenue. Among other mostly routine changes, the law conforms Wisconsin tax law with the federal code as of December 31, 2020, for the purposes of […]
Governor Vetoes AB 1 and Orders a New Health Emergency and Mask Mandate
Date Fri, Feb. 12, 2021 - 9:24am By Hamilton
After a contentious first month of the new legislative session, Governor Tony Evers vetoed Assembly Bill 1 (AB 1), the first bill to reach his desk this year. AB 1, a comprehensive proposal to address COVID-19 in Wisconsin, included broad protections from COVID-19 liability claims for businesses, non-profits, and other entities, Unemployment Insurance reforms sought […]
Senate Votes to Terminate Governor Evers’ Latest Public Health Emergency and Related Mask Mandate; Assembly Defers for Now
Date Fri, Jan. 29, 2021 - 9:09am By Hamilton
On Tuesday, January 19, Gov. Evers issued Executive Order #104, declaring a new statewide public health emergency related to COVID-19. Pursuant to this order, the governor also issued Emergency Order #1, requiring individuals to wear face coverings while indoors or in an enclosed space (other than a private residence), if other individuals not from the […]
Assembly and Senate Pass Differing COVID-19 Plans; Gov. Evers Endorses Senate Version
Date Thu, Jan. 14, 2021 - 5:08pm By Hamilton
The 2021-22 legislative session is officially underway here in Wisconsin. Right out of the gate, both the Legislature and Governor Evers have focused on passing another COVID-19 response package. Back in April, the Legislature passed and the governor signed Wisconsin Act 185. Many of the provisions included in Act 185 have since expired. Late last […]
In Third State of the State Address, Gov. Evers Calls for Unemployment System Overhaul and Declares 2021 “Year of Broadband”
Date Thu, Jan. 14, 2021 - 5:07pm By Hamilton
On Tuesday night, Governor Tony Evers delivered his third annual State of the State address virtually via YouTube and Facebook. After reflecting on the challenges of 2020 and reviewing the status of the COVID-19 pandemic, the governor set out several of his policy priorities for 2021. Referencing the massive influx of unemployment claims that the […]
Wisconsin Legislature Not Convening before 2021
Date Fri, Dec. 18, 2020 - 8:57am By Hamilton
After almost nine months of waiting, incoming-Senate Majority leader Devin LeMahieu announced that the state Senate does not plan to reconvene in 2020. The Assembly concluded its legislative business for the 2019-20 legislative session. The Senate, however, did not conclude its business and due to COVID-19, delayed convening the last available session days (March 24-26). […]
PFAS, Climate Change and Rural Wisconsin Reports Released
Date Fri, Dec. 18, 2020 - 8:56am By Hamilton
Year-end brings the holiday season, winter weather and… task force/commission reports. This month, so far, the governor has announced the release of three different reports, each a result of a distinct multi-year effort: Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change, Blue Ribbon Commission on Rural Prosperity , and Wisconsin PFAS Action Council (WisPAC). Each report provides […]
Updated: COVID-19 Orders and Current Challenges
Date Thu, Nov. 19, 2020 - 5:22pm By Hamilton
Wisconsin continues to shatter daily records for COVID-19 cases and deaths. Despite litigation challenging his ability to issue subsequent public health emergencies, this week, Gov. Evers announced he plans to extend the statewide mask mandate through mid-January. The Supreme Court will likely weigh in before then with a decision that could leave the governor will […]
Round 2 of COVID-19 Legislation Begins
Date Thu, Nov. 19, 2020 - 4:55pm By Hamilton
On Tuesday November 17, Governor Evers released another COVID-19 response legislation. The omnibus bill includes several policy proposals that were included the state’s initial COVID-19 bill (2019 Act 185) from earlier this year. In addition, the governor is proposing $541 million in spending to continue the current pandemic response efforts such as COVID-19 testing, contract […]