MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin state senators are moving forward with their version of a COVID-19 relief bill after passing it through the committee stage on Monday.
The new legislation seeks to bridge the gap between Democrat Gov. Tony Evers’ compromise bill and the Assembly bill passed last week.
“Even (the Assembly legislation) we thought was a good bill,” said Sen. Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg and majority leader. “In the Senate we probably would have gone further if we had a different governor, but we have to understand who the governor of Wisconsin is.”
To help get Evers on board, this legislation gets rid of limitations imposed on local health departments and school boards, and it removes the part that prevents employers from requiring a vaccine.
The Assembly would have to sign off on the change before it made it to Evers’ desk.
At a committee hearing on the Senate bill Monday, business leaders showed support for one measure that the Assembly already passed: liability protections for businesses, governments and schools.
“The threat of a frivolous lawsuit should not be one of those unpredictable, unaffordable, future events forcing small businesses to close their doors, eliminate jobs, and stifle innovation,” said Bill Smith, the NFIB Wisconsin state director.
There were few naysayers on that part of the bill, but some local business owners want more.
“What we need now more than anything, all small businesses, is direct grant support and investments to public health that will help us get back to full restaurants,” said Dave Heide, a Madison chef.
Lemahieu said he likes the liability protections, and he doesn’t see a way to move away from what they’ve written.
“I think it’s important to keep that provision in the bill and make sure we protect churches, businesses, schools, employers small and large so they can feel comfortable opening up safely and operating safely,” he said.
Democrats, who voted against the bill, said they want more time to get to an agreement on it.
“There’s a tendency to think that we have to hurry up,” said Sen. Janet Bewley, D-Mason and minority leader. “Well we can take a few more days and make sure that we have the right bill for the right reasons.”
Evers’ office did not return a request for comment on this bill. It’s scheduled to go before the full Senate on Tuesday.
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