Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) and Assembly Republicans announced a package of initiatives to help the state address the public health crisis. The legislation gives the state more tools to fight the spread of the coronavirus and helps struggling families across Wisconsin, according to a statement from the Speaker's office.

The legislative package builds off of Governor Evers' most recent proposals, provides emergency funding and creates a road map for the state to move through the pandemic.

"After working through ideas and discussions with Assembly GOP members, we have created a robust package to address the critical needs of our state," said Speaker Vos.

The package includes the following:

The legislation will also prohibit the state and local health departments from making vaccines mandatory, and will similarly prohibit employers from requiring vaccinations for SARS-COV-2 as a condition of employment.

Governor Tony Evers last week asked the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to prioritize the state of Wisconsin for the coronavirus vaccine distribution, which the state could begin distributing to health care workers and vulnerable populations soon.

Citing the current number of positive tests and hospitalizations, Evers said the state faces substantial barriers, and vowed to inoculate the state's nearly 450,000 health care workers first.

Governor Evers also wrote to Wisconsin's congressional delegation and President Trump to ask the federal government for more money to spend on his COVID response initiatives.

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development began rolling out another federal unemployment program last week -- the Extended Benefits Program (EB). This program is for Wisconsin residents who have exhausted their regular unemployment insurance (UI) and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC).

EB provides up to 13 additional weeks of payments to individuals who have exhausted 26 weeks of regular UI and 13 weeks of PEUC. The EB program does not apply to individuals collecting Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).

More information, including how to apply, may be found here.

In what are usually delivered in-person in the Assembly Chamber in the State Capitol, Governor Evers announced last week that he will deliver the upcoming State of the State and budget addresses virtually "as COVID-19 continues to surge across the state."

The State of the State address will be delivered at 7PM on Tuesday, January 12th. The budget address will be delivered at 7PM on Tuesday, February 16.

"I have spent the better part of the last year encouraging Wisconsinites to stay home as often as possible, practice social distancing, and limit interactions and gatherings with people outside of their immediate households. As you both know, I believe elected leaders must lead by example,' Gov. Evers said in a letter to legislative leaders. "To this end, and consistent with our continued recommendations to Wisconsinites, I will deliver my State of the State address and budget message to Wisconsinites virtually next year."

Governor Tony Evers announced last week with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation that restaurants and other targeted small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic will receive $45 million in assistance, bringing the total assistance distributed to Wisconsin businesses this year to more than $220 million, according to a press release.

"The program, 'We're All In For Restaurants,' is aimed at businesses throughout Wisconsin that, as gathering places, have been challenged from the beginning of the pandemic, and are incredibly important employers and community members," the statement read.

The program will be administered by the Department of Revenue (DOR) in collaboration with WEDC. Unlike previous We're All In grants, businesses will not have to apply for the grants, but will be identified and contacted directly by DOR based on the businesses' state tax records.

According to preliminary DOR estimates, restaurants will account for roughly 95 percent of the approximately 2,000 businesses to receive the funds. The program will target businesses with annual revenues of more than $1 million and less than $7 million. Previous state grant programs have focused on businesses with annual revenues of less than $1 million.

A fiscally conservative stalwart, and Co-Chair of the powerful, budget-writing Joint Committee on Finance, Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette) has resigned from the State Legislature to pursue opportunities in the private sector. He will be replaced by State Rep. Mark Born (R_Beaver Dam), who has been a member of the committee for several budgets.

Nygren was elected to his eighth term in the Assembly in November, and he was appointed by Speaker Vos last month to serve his fifth term as Co-Chair of JFC.

Rep. Nygren's statement:

“While the timing will never be perfect, our work over the last 14 years has left northeast Wisconsin and our entire state in a better position. When I was first elected, there was much work to do. Northeast Wisconsin’s economy was in tough shape, many of our friends and neighbors were unemployed, and drug and substance abuse was tearing families apart. Today, Marinette Marine is poised to play an integral role in our nation’s security for at least another generation, which will help fuel economic growth in northeast Wisconsin for decades. The HOPE Agenda has made Wisconsin a national leader in combatting substance abuse. And northeast Wisconsin’s strong manufacturing base has helped drive unprecedented economic growth and prosperity.”

“Wisconsin was in tough shape financially when I was appointed Co-Chair. Over the last eight years, we have cut taxes by a cumulative $13 billion, the state’s investment in public education is the highest in our state’s history, and the state’s rainy-day fund has grown to nearly $800 million. Wisconsin is on sound financial footing and is well situated to weather the economic uncertainty created by the pandemic.”

“I have had the honor of working with some fantastic leaders and talented and committed staff throughout 14 years in the Legislature. I will always cherish the lifelong relationships we have built. Wisconsin will continue to prosper under their steady leadership.”