MADISON, Wis (AP) – The Republican-controlled Wisconsin legislature on Thursday revoked the Democratic Government’s Tony Evers’ mask mandate and turned away the warnings from health experts to make Wisconsin one of only ten states without a statewide order.
The Assembly votes a week after the Senate voted to kill the mandate. Republicans, who control both chambers, have argued that Evers has exceeded his authority by repeatedly extending the mask mandate without legal approval. The repeal takes effect on Friday after both legislative leaders of the IDP signed it.
Evers was able to defy the legislature by issuing a new order introducing a fresh mask mandate, which would force the legislature to vote again to repeal. The latest masking mandate has been in place since August. Local mask ordinances, including one in Milwaukee and Dane County, which include Madison, remain in force.
Evers did not immediately return comments on his next move.
Dr. Bud Chumbley, head of the Wisconsin Medical Society, blasted the mood, saying it “sends the wrong message at the wrong time.”
“Instead, we need all of our policy leaders to unite behind the same message: wear a mask to protect yourself and others, prevent deaths and restore our economy,” he said in a statement.
The Medical Association was one of nearly 60 organizations representing businesses, health workers, hospitals, firefighters, pharmacists, churches, schools and more who opposed the recall.
The Assembly voted 52-42 to repeal the mandate, with seven Republicans joining all Democrats in opposition.
The Supreme Court can end the legislation back and forth with a ruling in a pending case stating that Evers must ensure the approval of the legislators every 60 days. The court can also say it does not need approval, forcing the legislature to revoke any order of Evers with which republics do not agree.
Health experts say masks could be the most effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which has killed nearly 6,000 Wisconsinites., and that a recall could create the danger of creating confusion and sending the wrong message about the importance of masks.
“We have to wear masks,” said Democratic Rep. Robyn Vining. “Masks save lives.”
Republicans say the issue is not about masks, but whether Evers can legally issue multiple health orders during the pandemic. The Legislature argues that it cannot, and must obtain approval for it every 60 days. Evers claims that the changing nature of the pandemic has enabled him to issue various orders and mask mandates.
‘I know you want to make it over masks. It is not, “said Republican Majority Leader Jim Steineke. “It’s about the rule of law.”
The coronavirus has gone down in Wisconsin and elsewhere in the U.S., but health experts have warned of an ongoing danger, including the emergence of new and more contagious variants. All of Wisconsin’s neighboring states have some form of mask mandate, according to the National Academy for State Health Policy.
The recall is the latest defeat for Evers, who has struggled to combat the pandemic. Republican lawmakers persuaded the Supreme Court last year to scrap its home order and a state appellate court has upheld limits it has set for indoor rallies.
Before Thursday’s vote, Republicans of the Assembly sent a letter to Evers, saying they would support a more limited mask mandate applicable to places “susceptible to virus transmission.” Republicans said it includes health care facilities, nursing homes, mass transit, government buildings, relief facilities, public schools, universities and prisons.
Republicans asked Evers to submit a rule proposal to establish such a mandate, promising that such a request would be fair and judicious.
The Assembly also passed a bill that includes a provision aimed at ensuring that the state does not lose about $ 50 million a month, which pays food benefits for about 243,000 low-income people in the state. According to federal law, there must be an emergency health order to receive the money. The Senate planned to meet Friday to approve the bill and send it to Evers.
Evers did not say whether he would sign the bill. It will also ban the closure of churches during the pandemic and prevent employers from requiring workers to be vaccinated for the disease. It also gives the Legislature control over how federal money is spent fighting the virus.
Evers supported an earlier, more limited version of the bill.
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