The Republican-controlled state Senate today (1/26) passed a joint resolution to repeal Gov. Tony Evers’ statewide face coverings mandate. Senate Joint Resolution 3 passed on a vote of 18-13 with GOP Senators Rob Cowles and Dale Kooyenga joining all Democrats in voting No. SJR 3 now heads to the state Assembly.
Unlike a bill, a joint resolution does not require the governor’s signature to become effective. So, if the repeal resolution passes both the Senate and the Assembly, it will end a mandate that has been in place since last July.
Gov. Evers issued the latest mandate to wear face coverings on Jan. 19, marking the fourth such order the governor has issued.
The Wisconsin Medical Society, the Wisconsin Hospitals Association and a number of other organizations have registered in opposition to the joint resolution. No groups were registered in favor as of this writing.
Many school boards across the state have adopted board policies regarding the wearing of face coverings in school buildings and during school activities. The legislation to be voted on today would not affect those policies, which schools could rely on to require students and staff .to wear face coverings in the absence of a statewide mandate.
