Gov. Evers Urges Senate To Send Coronavirus Response

MADISON, WI — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is calling for the recently passed coronavirus response bill to be sent to him immediately. The governor said in a statement Thursday "my pen has been waiting for weeks," to ensure Wisconsin gets a share of federal aid under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and. Economic Security (CARES) Act, and is urging the state senate to send it his way.

Evers said he is concerned over what the bill is missing, but noted it's better to have some response rather than none. "The bill I will sign falls short of what is needed to address the magnitude and gravity of what our state is facing, but I am not willing to delay our state’s response to this crisis," he said in the release.

The governor said the bill doesn't provide hazard pay or workers compensation for frontline and critical workers, like health care workers, and lacks "meaningful support" for small businesses and farmers who are struggling.

"Our state is facing significant challenges as we respond to and prevent the spread of COVID19. The bottom line is that we have to do everything we can to keep our families, our neighbors, and our communities safe while also looking towards our economic recovery," Evers said. "People across our state are hurting. We have asked Wisconsinites to make sacrifices so we can keep them safe, and the Legislature needs to do their part."

Evers ended the statement saying "My administration has been working to do as much as we can to respond to COVID-19 but we need to have the flexibility and resources to be able to provide necessary support for the people of our state. It’s clear that more legislation will be needed to meaningfully address COVID-19 in Wisconsin and help workers, families, businesses, and farmers."