State Mask Mandate Still Intact for Now

Friday, January 29th, 2021 -- 12:05 PM

(AP) The Wisconsin Assembly did not vote on the resolution to overturn Gov. Tony Evers’ emergency health order that imposed a statewide mask mandate over fears that eliminating the order itself could cost the state tens of millions of dollars in federal funding.

Assembly speaker Robin Vos made the announcement early Thursday afternoon. He did not indicate when his chamber would likely take up the measure, saying lawmakers wanted to have time to ensure that $49 million in SNAP funding is not lost.

The Assembly was expected to begin debate on repealing the emergency order Thursday morning. The state Senate had passed the measure earlier this week.

If the Assembly passed the resolution, it would immediately revoke the emergency order.  However, since senators passed their version of the resolution, lawmakers learned the state would lose the federal money, which is only available to states that have emergency health orders in place.

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