In the past months, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has vetoed multiple GOP sponsored bills, as the deadlock between the executive and legislative branch continues.
Among the bills he rejected were a bill requiring state employees to return to the office with phasing out remote-work, and legislation imposing tighter restrictions on unemployment assistance.
The 80% in person requirement was pushed by Republicans as a way to increase in-person productivity and oversight of government workers. Evers wrote in his veto that the policy would damage recruitment, retention, and flexibility. (RELATED: Wisconsin Legislators Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Compensation for Wrongly Convicted)
Republicans passed unemployment aid restrictions that were portrayed by supporters as tightening eligibility and reducing state costs. Some facets of the legislation are: new identity verification processes, extending the statute of limitations for prosecuting UI fraud and new requirements for call center operations. Evers also flagged this with concerns about creating barriers for recipients during what he calls a period of economic uncertainty.
Another bill targeting unemployment reform, looks to prevent the recipients from “ghosting” job interviews or job offers. The punishment would be the removal of benefits for the week. Evers believes the current loopholes should be open. He said in his veto, the standards hold recipients responsible enough, and creates more economic hardship.
“It’s sad to see Gov. Evers veto a variety of bills, specifically ones aimed at patching unemployment loopholes. Now, people will continue to cheat unemployment and take away resources from those that actually need it, costing taxpayers more,” said Speaker Robin Vos on X.
Evers also vetoed legislation to allow a citizen to request the inspection of textbooks/reading materials within 14 days. Evers states this is a “solution in search of a problem” and told the legislature that adding financial support for K-12 schools will allow for increased parental engagement. (RELATED: Wisconsin GOP Bill Would Require Voter Approval for Wheel Taxes)
Republicans have been pushing for removing explicit material from schools has been a challenge for the past 4 years. However, Governor Evers now provides another roadblock in the censorship of explicit material in schools.
Of the bills vetoed, he also signed eleven bills into law. Most notably a bill that restricts the use of cellphones in school during instructional time, and adding protection to 911 Call Center operators.
