This is the reason many of us can't deal with these people anymore!
MADISON - A Republican plan to eliminate Wisconsin's mask requirement will likely cut off nearly $50 million in food assistance to low-income people and those thrown out of work during the coronavirus pandemic.
A COVID-19 package Congress passed last year gave states additional funding for food stamps if they have emergency health orders in place. Republican state lawmakers plan to end Wisconsin's health emergency order on Thursday, which would prevent nearly 243,000 households from collecting $49.3 million in assistance, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau.
Republicans introduced their plan a week ago and rushed it to the Senate floor without holding a hearing on it. Until late Wednesday, they had given no indication their effort could take away food assistance in the middle of a pandemic that has forced thousands of people out of work.
The Senate voted 18-13 Tuesday to end the emergency order and mask requirement, with two Republicans joining all Democrats in opposition. Republicans who control the Assembly plan to take up the measure Thursday.
Their vote would immediately end the emergency order — and take away the additional food assistance.
“Thursday’s repeal vote places hungry Wisconsinites at risk of deeper hunger, additional pain and lasting suffering caused by the pandemic,” said a statement from Sherrie Tussler, the executive director of the Hunger Task Force. “This repeal vote is not just about masks — it’s about feeding our neighbors."
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Democratic Rep. Evan Goyke of Milwaukee, who asked the fiscal bureau for the memo, said he was frustrated that Republicans hadn't seemed to realize the effects of their plans.
"Certainly this was not thoroughly researched and done," Goyke said Wednesday night. "I'm glad that we got a question posed in time to get an answer. I just don't know that it's in time to get Republicans in the Legislature to change their mind.
"If you're asking me should a lawmaker know whether their resolution takes $49 million of benefits away from a quarter million Wisconsinites? Yes, they should know that. And if they don't, they shouldn't be in public office."
Republican Sen. Steve Nass of Whitewater, who led the effort to end the health emergency, learned of the effects on the FoodShare program on Wednesday, a day after the Senate voted on it, according to his aide Mike Mikalsen.
more:
http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2021/01/27/gop-plan-end-mask-requirement-could-cost-wisconsinites-49-million-food-benefits/4287763001/?utm_source=jsonline-News%20Alert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=news_alerts&utm_term=news_alert
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