‘Let’s see more of it’: Compromise between Gov. Evers and GOP

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- For the first time in months, Governor Tony Evers and Republicans are finding compromise. 

Gov. Evers signed his first bill related to the pandemic in over 10 months which will give tax cuts to businesses who received PPP loans. It would distribute $540 million over the next three years to PPP recipients. 

“I’m so proud of the Legislature who made this happen, let’s see more of it,” Evers said during a virtual bill signing. 

Evers also signaled he would sign a bipartisan bill passed by the State Senate to begin the process of updating the state’s unemployment system, which Evers says has largely been the reason for a delay in distributing payments. The current computer system used to process claims dates back to the 1970s.

The bill doesn’t include any immediate funding for the project, but instead would require the Evers administration to seek federal funding first. Then the budget committee would approve the rest of the funds. 

Sen. Chris Larson, Sen. Lena Taylor and Sen. Tim Carpenter all voted against the bill as it could take months to obtain the funding necessary to upgrade the UI system. 

“It’s good that we’re seeing some action fixing the unemployment insurance system, but the delay it's going to cause I think is irresponsible,” said Larson. 

Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu admitted while the bill is not perfect, it's process. 

“This could have been done years ago, but now we have the opportunity to get it done and it’s great to get it passed,” said LeMahieu.

Any agreement between the Legislature and the governor is significant, as throughout the pandemic both sides have disagreed, largely resulting in inaction.