No legislation to respond to coronavirus in Wisconsin

It has now been five weeks since the coronavirus first reared its ugly head in Wisconsin. Finally, our state lawmakers in Madison are preparing to meet to decide what to do about it. Members of the Wisconsin and Assembly are planning to meet, virtually, for the first time since the outbreak began to discuss an aid package in response to the virus, which has shuttered many businesses and put thousands of people out of work. Legislative leaders haven’t said what bills they will take up, but Governor Tony Evers had encouraged them weeks ago to waive the state’s one week waiting period for applying for unemployment benefits. It is shameful our lawmakers have wasted so much time, critical time for those suddenly thrown out of work through no fault of their own. The meetings this week will mark the very first time our state lawmakers have weighed in on the outbreak. They haven’t done a thing to help the economy, or our health care system. They haven’t made plans for how best to spend the billions in aid from the federal government. Wisconsin is in a minority of states that haven’t passed a single piece of legislation to deal with the coronavirus outbreak. Our full-time lawmakers in name only haven’t found the time to deal with the greatest public health crisis in our history. We should be sure to remember that the next time they ask for our vote.