Wisconsin Senate approves COVID-19 relief package

Updated: 4:11 p.m. on Jan. 12, 2021

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Senate has overwhelmingly passed a pared-down COVID-19 relief package.

And Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has promised to sign it if it clears the Assembly.

Evers and Republican legislative leaders have been trying to hammer out a compromise package for weeks.

Assembly Republicans passed a bill last week, but Evers opposed it. Senate Republicans scaled the measure back.

They removed provisions that would prohibit local health officials from ordering businesses closed for more than two weeks at a time and block mandatory vaccinations.

The body adopted it on a 29-2 vote on Tuesday and sent it back to the Assembly.

An aide for Speaker Robin Vos didn't respond to a message asking about the bill's chances.

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Posted: 10:54 a.m. on Jan. 12, 2021

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Senate is set to pass a pared-down COVID-19 relief package. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Republican legislative leaders have been trying to hammer out a compromise package for weeks to no avail.

Assembly Republicans passed a bill last week, but Evers opposes it.

Senate Republicans scaled the measure back. They removed provisions that would prohibit local health officials from ordering businesses closed for more than two weeks at a time and block mandatory vaccinations.

They were set to vote during a floor session scheduled to begin late Tuesday morning.

The bill would have to go back through the Assembly before it could get to Evers.

Gov. Evers released the below statement regarding Assembly Bill (AB) 1 as amended and advanced by the Senate: 

“I’ve been grateful to work together with Republican Majority Leader LeMahieu to find common ground and pass a bill on COVID-19 that reflects a good faith effort in compromise and bipartisanship.

Although it's not the COVID compromise we originally proposed, AB 1 as amended by the Senate is a good start to support our state’s response to this pandemic. The Assembly should pass AB 1 as it was amended today and send it to my desk for my signature without delay.”
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