Delafield, WI – Today, Representative Cindi Duchow (R-Delafield) issued the following statement in opposition to Governor Evers’ issuance of Executive Order #82, declaring another 60-day public health emergency, and Emergency Order #1, ordering a statewide mask mandate:
“I unequivocally oppose Executive Order #82 and the issuance of a statewide mask mandate. Governor Evers continues to push a one-size-fits-all response to this pandemic, forcing policies that appease his base in Madison and Milwaukee on the entire state.
“While I understand the necessity of doing all we can to control the spread of COVID-19, local health departments continue to be in the best position to effectively address the specific needs of their communities. By increasing precautions as necessary, local governments have been instrumental in the fight to control the spread of COVID-19. Wisconsin’s infection numbers have remained in check and our hospitals continue to have sufficient capacity to treat all who are in need.
“It is disappointing but ultimately not surprising that our governor has once again chosen to circumvent the Legislature, taking unilateral action that is constitutionally questionable by his own admission. Legislative Republicans have already begun exploring both legislative and legal options to put control back in the hands of our local governments. This recurrent, blatant disregard of our state constitution, as normalized as the Evers administration has made it seem, must not be tolerated.”
