Lame-duck law stands in the way of money needed to combat COVID-19

The law Republicans pushed through during a Dec. 2018 lame-duck session to thwart the power of the incoming administration of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers — which dozens of health-care entities pleaded with legislators to stop because it could have unintended consequences — now stands in the way of Wisconsin receiving federal money and other resources to fight COVID-19.

Undoing that waiver law — even temporarily during the pandemic crisis and emergency declaration — cannot happen without the approval of the Legislature. Yet the Legislature has rejected the governor’s demands that it promptly convene, waiting to put together its own expansive bill addressing broad scenarios, based on full analysis by the Fiscal Bureau of recent federal actions.

The contents of that omnibus bill — and the speed at which it passes — will have major consequences for Wisconsinites’ health, well-being and pocketbooks.

“This is the unintended consequence,” says Rep. Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee), a JFC member. “To be honest, I doubt Republicans envisioned this happening and, in times of crisis needing greater flexibility, but that is where we find ourselves.”

Read more: https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2020/04/02/lame-duck-law-stands-in-the-way-of-money-needed-to-combat-covid-19/