Legislature ready to suppress governor's latest 'mask order'

Posted at 6 p.m. on January 22, 2021

The Brillion News

MADISON - The Republican-controlled state legislature is expected to act next week (January 25-29) to suppress the latest executive order by Governor Tony Evers extending the COVID-19 health emergency into March.

State Senator Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, is the lead author of Senate Joint Resolution 3 (SJR 3), which would legally block the current emergency order issued by Evers.

"Governor Evers has repeatedly abused the powers granted to him [in state law] to issue repeated emergency declarations since March 2020," Nass said. "The Wisconsin Legislature has never authorized, as is required by law, an extension of these emergency declarations."

If the lawmakers go through with SJR 3, the emergency declaration by Evers becomes null and void, including the portion that requires face coverings.

Republicans have threatened to block the emergency orders in the past, but have never taken any action to move it beyond the talking stage.