MADISON, Wis. — Day two of the new session of the state legislature and Assembly Republicans are moving forward on a COVID-19 relief bill, aiming to have it pass the full assembly by the end of the week.
The legislation would give the Joint Finance Committee power to pull money to help with the pandemic.
It would limit local health departments to 14-day business closures, which can be renewed. School districts would also be required to vote every 14 days if members chose to go virtual.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, kicked off testimony on the bill on Tuesday.
“The bill before you is noticeably different from the version my caucus proposed late last year,” he told the committee on health. “I know Republicans continue to support these items and we will bring them to the floor in the future. For now, we have removed them in a good faith effort to compromise with Governor Evers in order to get a bill to his desk he will sign.”
Much of the hearing talked about liability protections which Republicans argue would prevent businesses from facing lawsuits so long as they are following best practices on the coronavirus.
AJ Dixon, owner of the restaurant Lazy Susan MKE, said what they need are new sources of revenue and proper virus mitigation.
“I have no issue having a capacity rule,” Dixon said. “I feel confident and safe knowing that we are trying to put these measures in place because we are trying to show the public that we can operate safely. Opening the doors with no measures in place and no risk mitigation isn’t the way to go.”
Committee chairman Rep. Joe Sanfelippo, R-New Berlin, said they want to get something done soon, commending the governor and Republican leadership for starting the work toward consensus late last year.
“I don’t know if we’re there yet,” he said, “but hopefully we’ll be able to get somewhere by Thursday so we can get something passed so we can get working for the citizens of the state.”
Assembly Democrats didn’t show in person for the hearing, Rep. Lisa Subeck, D-Madison, saying on Twitter their request for virtual participation was denied.
Height of hypocrisy: @SpeakerVos went maskless while speaking to Health Committee re: COVID-19, seated next to another of his maskless GOP caucus members. After request for virtual participation was denied, @AssemblyDemsWI watched the hearing on @WisconsinEye from our offices. pic.twitter.com/L0kavgAbjG
— Lisa Subeck (@LisaSubeck) January 5, 2021
Rep. Jimmy Anderson, D-Fitchburg, called into the hearing, an accommodation for his disability that was allowed during the last legislative session.
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