The state Senate — meeting virtually for the first time — today unanimously approved legislation responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, sending the bill to Gov. Tony Evers.
The guv is expected to sign the bill quickly. The state faces deadlines this month to change eligibility requirements for the Medicaid program to qualify for additional federal funding. The bill also would set up the state for additional federal money for the unemployment program.
After clearing the Assembly 97-2 yesterday, the bill was backed in the Senate 31-0. Dems Tim Carpenter and Lena Taylor, both of Milwaukee, weren’t recorded as voting during the virtual roll call. They each complained during the session that they hadn’t been allowed to address their colleagues.
The Legislative Fiscal Bureau said the federal money impacted by the bill is separate from the $1.9 billion the state is set to receive through the stimulus package that was signed into law.
