Gov. Tony Evers today signed Assembly Bill 1038, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 185, within hours of its passage, providing support and relief for Wisconsinites during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
“My pen has been waiting for weeks to sign legislation that guarantees Wisconsin will capture our fair share of federal dollars under the CARES Act and ensures workers experiencing unemployment and underemployment won’t be forced to wait an extra week for needed benefits to kick in,” Evers said in a statement today. “This bill is finally a step in the right direction, but there is much more work to be done.
“Although I remain concerned about what is missing from this legislation I have called for this bill to be sent over for my signature as soon as possible,” he continued. “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.”
In a press release from the office of the governor, Evers said the bill does not provide hazard pay or workers compensation for all frontline and critical workers like first responders, childcare providers, and healthcare workers who are risking their lives going to work every day and lacks meaningful support for small businesses and farmers who are struggling to make ends meet.
Prior to Gov. Evers signing, the Senate passed the bill in a 32-0 vote during a virtual extraordinary session.
