Evers Vetoes Wisconsin Legislative Oversight Of COVID-19 Funds

MADISON, WI—Gov. Tony Evers unveiled his plan on Monday for investing the $3.2 billion in federal funding Wisconsin received from President Biden's American Rescue Plan and vetoed Senate Bill 183, which would have given the Legislature approval over the use of the federal funds, according to a news release and live streaming of the announcement.

The governor's plan includes investments to continue the state's pandemic response, expand broadband and build infrastructure, and restore the economic well-being across the state.

“Our CARES dollars made all the difference in our state this past year, including supporting businesses across our state like the business we’re standing in today. That's why I'm excited to be able to announce we're going to be investing $2.5 billion from our American Rescue Plan funds into our state's economic recovery and making sure we can bounce back from COVID-19 and better than we were before this pandemic hit,” said Gov. Evers. “We can't afford for the Legislature to play politics with our funds under the American Rescue Plan—we're going to get folks support as quickly as we can.”

Last year, the state of Wisconsin received nearly $2 billion from the federal Coronavirus Aide, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Gov. Evers was able to use the money to get support to Wisconsinites across the state.

In response, Republicans in the Wisconsin State Legislature introduced legislation requiring legislative oversight and approval of the federal funds, despite having gone nearly 300 days without passing a bill during the coronavirus pandemic.

Last week, Republicans also suggested they will consider suing over the funds, possibly delaying these resources from being distributed to Wisconsinites across the state, the release said.

The governor's plan includes a $2.5 billion investment includes $50 million for the tourism industry, which has been hit hard by the pandemic, and $600 million to help support businesses.

In addition to these investments to ensure Wisconsin's economic recovery, the governor is also proposing a $200 million investment in infrastructure, a significant portion of which will go towards expanding broadband access. Also $500 million will go towards continuing statewide pandemic response efforts, the release said.