Republicans introduce bill to give GOP-led Legislature oversight over federal COVID-19 dollars

Wisconsin Republicans have reintroduced a measure already vetoed once by Gov. Tony Evers that would give the GOP-led Legislature oversight over how future federal COVID-19 dollars are spent.

Shortly after the bill was introduced Friday, Evers' spokeswoman Britt Cudaback confirmed that the governor would veto the bill again if it reaches his desk.

In a joint statement, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, said the proposed legislation would grant the Republican-controlled budget committee authority over the approximately $5.5 billion in American Rescue Plan Act funds the state would receive through the $1.9 trillion federal COVID-19 bill.

The proposed bill mirrors a measure that was included in a Republican COVID-19 relief package that Evers vetoed in early February. The Democratic governor has strongly opposed granting Republicans in the Legislature authority over how federal dollars are spent, noting that such a proposal could slow down the state's ability to allocate those funds.

Read more: https://journaltimes.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/republicans-introduce-bill-to-give-gop-led-legislature-oversight-over-federal-covid-19-dollars/article_420e286b-1e80-5b7c-b0db-a95ac2e75f73.html
(Racine Journal Times)