WAUWATOSA – Yesterday, the Wisconsin State Assembly convened, virtually and in person, to vote on legislation in response to COVID-19. The bill passed the Assembly 97-2 yesterday and the State Senate 32-0 today. Governor Tony Evers signed the bill into law this afternoon. State Representative Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa) released the following statement regarding the legislation:

“The bill that passed yesterday was a step in the right direction, but our job is far from finished. The legislature must keep working to support Wisconsinites. We need small business assistance, we need to support child care providers, we need to cover COVID-19 testing and treatment, we need to prepare to vote-by-mail in upcoming elections, and we need to support and protect our healthcare workers and first responders. I am ready and prepared to vote on legislation that addresses these issues. This cannot be the last time the legislature meets in response to this unprecedented public health crisis.

“Yesterday was the first step, and today we woke up and got right back to work. I will continue working to make sure healthcare workers and first responders are protected and safe as they are asked to deal with an unprecedented situation. On Monday, my colleagues and I sent a letter supporting the needs of healthcare workers to Republican legislative leadership. Today, I participated in a call with these workers — CNAs, a paramedic, a nurse, a cafeteria worker, a housekeeper — to hear about these urgent needs. They said it’s not enough to thank them or to call them heroes. These workers have called on us to champion measures such as increasing procurement and distribution of PPE, fully-paid sick time for healthcare workers, hazard pay, and full healthcare coverage. We have to answer the call. They are working to protect us — it’s our turn to protect them.”

Rep. Vining represents the 14th Assembly District, which includes parts of Brookfield, Wauwatosa, and Milwaukee. For more information, visit Rep. Vining’s website here

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