With positive COVID-19 cases surging in college communities across the state, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has extended the statewide mask mandate through late November.

On Tuesday, Evers announced the new mask mandate-along with the governor's third public health emergency-in an effort to control the spread of COVID-19. Positive cases, primarily among 18- to 24-year-olds, have been rising since students returned to campus, despite a statewide mask mandate being in effect since August 1.

Under the order, everyone age 5 and older must wear a face covering when indoors or in any enclosed space open to the public including outdoor bars and restaurants, public transit and outdoor park structures. The order does not apply to people in their private residences. Face coverings are strongly recommended in all other settings where people may come in contact with others, including outdoors when maintaining physical distance is not possible. A violation of the order would not bring any criminal penalties but could result in a $200 fine. Enforcement of the mask mandate has largely been left to local health departments and few, if any, fines have been issued.

"We continue to learn more about this virus, but what we do know is that we are facing a new and dangerous phase of the COVID-19 pandemic here in Wisconsin," Evers said in a statement. "We are seeing an alarming increase in cases across our state, especially on campus. We need folks to start taking this seriously, and young people especially-please stay home as much as you are able, skip heading to the bars, and wear a mask whenever you go out."

Last week, Evers hinted at the possibility of extending the statewide mask mandate, which he called an "important piece of the puzzle" to mitigate the spread of the disease.

The Evers administration's stay-at-home order, issued in March by the Department of Health Services Secretary Nominee Andrea Palm, was struck down on procedural grounds, with the state Supreme Court saying the Legislature needed to have a say in any long-term COVID-19 regulations.

After saying multiple times that the court's order prevented him from implementing a mask order, in July, Evers declared a new public health emergency and a separate order requiring masks. Both of the July orders are set to expire Sept. 28.

Here is a recap of the current face covering requirements for retail hardware stores operating in each of MHA's five-state membership territory.

• Large employers-with annual gross revenues of at least $500,000-must pay at least $10.08 an hour.
• Small employers-with annual gross revenues less than $500,000-must pay at least $8.21 an hour.
• The training wage rate, $8.21 an hour, may be paid to employees younger than 20 years of age for the first 90 consecutive days of employment.
• The youth wage rate, $8.21 an hour, may be paid to employees younger than 18 years of age.

Like many of you, I have watched the erosion of common decency and civility in government and political campaigns with disappointment. Too often, people can't find a way to disagree without being disagreeable, especially among politicians. And while politics is not the only sector of our culture where such divisiveness is on full display, it is among the most prominent-especially in a Presidential election year.

However, it is imperative that we don't let our dissatisfaction keep us on the sidelines in the upcoming election.

It seems like every election in the past dozen years has been described as the most important election of our lifetime. As someone who has worked in the public policy and political arena for a quarter of a century, that description has always frustrated me. Not because it's hyperbole, but rather because all elections are, and should be, important. From local government races all the way up to President, your vote is critically important and powerful. Voting is not only your constitutional right, it is a privilege and responsibility as a citizen, and yes, as a Midwest Hardware Association member too.

Your participation in the democratic process is a key grassroots component of MHA's public policy and advocacy efforts to protect your business interests. Yes, there is the Presidential election which gets all the media hype, but other races deserve your attention. While the Governor is not up for re-election this fall, there are many state legislative races that matter. It is likely that the Republicans will remain in the majority in both the State Senate and the Assembly. In all likelihood come January 2021, the Democrats will control the Governor's office and the Republicans will control the Legislative branch. Split government will continue in Wisconsin. However, MHA members in Wisconsin and elsewhere can help determine the particular makeup of their Legislature by helping to support and elect candidates who appreciate the important role of Main Street small businesses like you.

With the Coronavirus pandemic still gripping the globe, and economic uncertainty and anxiety at record levels, citizen involvement in our government is more essential than ever. Closer to home, the next legislative session in Wisconsin will be one of the most challenging we've seen as policymakers are faced with addressing significant state and municipal budgetary shortfalls. Just examining the state Transportation Fund, a recent analysis from the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) highlights that preliminary Transportation Fund collections are down nearly $100 million or 4.9 percent from original fund estimates as a result of impacts from COVID-19. How will the next Legislature address this shortfall in 2021 and will they propose new fee and revenue increases?

Another burden directly impacting the business community, with particular challenges for smaller employers, is the issue of civil liability and the need to protect Wisconsin businesses from predatory lawsuits alleging liability for COVID-19 exposures. As businesses face financial hardship during the pandemic, the last thing small employers need is to worry about falling victim to costly, frivolous litigation, especially when taking adequate precautions to keep their premises safe for employees and customers. Legislation has been proposed to shield businesses, schools, universities and other entities from the threat of predatory lawsuits. This is just one example, of many issues, that MHA and its members can advocate for among candidates on the ballot in November.

Keep in mind that MHA's advocacy efforts in support of Main Street issues like these do not begin when the Legislature reconvenes a new session in January. Our efforts start at the ballot box on Tuesday, November 3rd, and the future success of our advocacy efforts begins with you exercising your right to vote on that date and continuing to vote in elections beyond this November.

Be safe and thank you for allowing me to represent your interests at the State Capitol in Madison.