Author: Sam Buisman
Governor Tony Evers announces that the state government will have to cut an additional $250 million in spending due to COVID-19.
In a Wednesday afternoon press release, the Governor stated that he has ordered the Department of Administration to eliminate a quarter-billion dollars in spending across all state agencies to bear COVID-19's obliteration of government revenue. The state government has not yet decided which agencies or programs will suffer these cuts but promised full transparency with the Wisconsin people on their decision.
Addressing the upcoming cuts in a press release, Governor Evers included a plea to the federal government for additional coronavirus relief.
“While I am still hopeful that the federal government will adopt further bipartisan proposals to stabilize funding for state and local services,” said Evers, “in the face of continued inaction and uncertainty, the unfortunate reality is that we must take these steps and make more significant cuts.”
According to the Office of the Governor, this is the second round of state spending cuts spurred by the pandemic, with DOA executing a $70 million cut back in late May.
Local governments in Wisconsin have been feeling the squeeze of COVID-19 on their coffers as well. Last Wednesday, a group of Madison city leaders led by Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway gave an impassioned news conference urging the federal government to extend coronavirus safety nets established by the CARES Act and give additional relief to state and city governments.
These cuts and pleas come as debate rages in Congress over a second COVID-19 relief bill, with legislators likely weeks away from deciding on its provisions.