Evers鈥� second COVID-19 proposal would cover overruns from job site closings
Gov. Tony Evers on Wednesday introduced legislation meant to slow the spread of COVID-19 and cover costs if the state delays public construction projects.
Among other things, Evers鈥� latest proposal would give the state a way to cope with cost increases on public projects if they have to be temporarily closed down. According to a memo from Evers鈥� office, the proposal would give the State Building Commission $100 million in borrowing authority to offset higher costs that could follow shut downs. The state Department of Administration is now still bidding out and overseeing state construction projects.
鈥淭he state may have to close buildings or jobsites for public or members鈥� safety during the (public health emergency) which may result in higher than anticipated capital costs,鈥� according to the memo.
The proposal would also allow 鈥渃ritical鈥� workers to claim worker鈥檚 compensation benefits if they contract COVID-19 at work. Current law allow workers to claim the benefit if they catch a communicable disease such as COVID-19. Separately, it would provide $20 million in grant funding to support broadband expansion over the next two years. About 43% of rural residents in Wisconsin lack access to high-speed internet, according to the .
The bill also includes $50 million in grants for health care providers, money that can be used to , and would waive a waiting period that now forces laid-off workers to go a week before receiving unemployment benefits.
In a statement, Evers said he was concerned the $2.2 trillion stimulus package President Donald Trump signed last week wouldn鈥檛 be sufficient to cover the state鈥檚 needs as the coronavirus continues to spread. Wisconsin could get about $2.2 billion in from the stimulus bill, according to the setate鈥檚 nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau.
The state Republican-controlled Legislature hasn鈥檛 yet set a date for when it could take up Evers鈥� new bills, although the hope is to have a vote scheduled for as early as next week.
鈥淲e need to take aggressive legislative steps here in Wisconsin for not only the health and safety of our families and workers, but for our state鈥檚 economy,鈥� Evers said in a statement. 鈥淚鈥檓 calling on the Legislature to convene without any further delay to take up these proposals supporting our healthcare providers, essential workers, small businesses, and families across our state who need our help during this difficult time.鈥�
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos agreed that lawmakers should act quickly.
鈥淥ur hope is to get a bill that everyone can vote for,鈥� Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said. 鈥淭he goal would be to have that as soon as we can.鈥�
At the same time, Vos and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said they do not support Evers鈥� proposal to indefinitely extend an order directing businesses to close and residents to shelter in place. Republicans have said they want to better understand the $2.3 billion that鈥檚 coming to the state as part of the federal stimulus before proceeding, although they鈥檙e planning to convene soon.
This isn鈥檛 the first legislation Evers has proposed in response to the coronavirus. Last week, he floated a roughly $700 million aid proposal but that was quickly dismissed by Republicans.
Evers鈥� latest proposal contains further provisions that would cut taxes for low income people; waive penalties and interest for property-tax payments; increase funding for Medicaid providers; create a COVID-19 reinsurance program to lower health insurance premiums; provide grants for food assistance and meal delivery; and extend grant funding to small businesses and workers.