Gov. Tony Evers signed a bill into law intended to help provide relief in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The state Assembly passed AB 1083 yesterday and the Wisconsin Senate did the same earlier today. Evers added his signature Wednesday afternoon, officially making it law.
The measure, among other things, eliminates the one-week waiting period for unemployment benefits.
"This bill is finally a step in the right direction, but there is much more work to be done," Evers said in a statement on the bill released before he added his signature. "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."
Evers said the Legislature needs to continue to work to provide hazard pay to first responders, child care providers and health care workers. The governor also said he felt the bill should include additional support for farmers and businesses.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) extolled what he saw as the laws accomplishments.
"This bill puts working men, women, and families of our state first, by extending a lifeline to the recently unemployed," he said. "It also provides the Joint Finance Committee flexibility to timely respond to this pandemic and the problems it has created."
To read more go to WKOW https://wkow.com/2020/04/15/breaking-evers-signs-coronavirus-relief-bill/