Gov. Tony Evers today (2/4) issued a new executive order to declare a new public health emergency and statewide mask mandate almost immediately after the GOP-controlled state legislature, arguing that the governor had exceeded his statutory authority, repealed his previous executive order.
Before repealing the governor’s previous order today by approving a joint resolution, Assembly GOP leaders sent the governor a letter asking him to promulgate rules for “reasonable masking requirements in places in Wisconsin that are susceptible to transmission of the virus to those who are especially vulnerable, such as health care facilities, nursing homes, mass transit, state government buildings, assisted living facilities, public schools, universities, and prisons.”
Rules proposed by the governor would go to a legislative committee co-chaired by Sen. Steve Nass (R-Whitewater) the author of the joint resolution that repealed the previous emergency order and mask mandate. Nass’ office has already stated publicly that Sen. Nass would not support efforts to impose a “mask mandate that could lead to people being fined and/or arrested.”
Ultimately, this issue will be decided by the courts as the Wisconsin Supreme Court has a case pending before it on the issue.
