The Republican-controlled Wisconsin legislature on Thursday rescinded a mask mandate and emergency warrant issued by the state’s Democratic governor – only to see him issue new orders an hour later, according to reports.
State lawmakers had taken action after deciding that Governor Tony Evers had no authority to issue his coronavirus-related decrees, Milwaukee’s FOX 6 reported.
But Evers argued that protecting Wisconsin residents from the coronavirus was his top priority – and he defended wearing masks as an important step towards that goal.
In a video statement, he accused Republicans of “playing politics” in the midst of the pandemic.
Rand paul abuses the ohio democRat about the rules of the senate mask
“If the legislature continues to play politics and we don’t keep wearing masks, we’ll see more preventable deaths, and it will take even longer for our state and our economy to get back on track,” Evers said.
Wisconsin Government Tony Evers on display at the Statehouse in Madison on December 14, 2020 (Getty Images)
Many municipalities and counties enacted or expanded their own rules in response to the repeal of the legislature, The Associated Press reported.
Before Thursday’s vote, Assembly Republicans said they would support a limited mask mandate that would apply to high-risk public institutions, FOX 6 reported. They cited places like health care facilities, public transportation, public schools and prisons.
Republican State Sen. Steve Nass accused Evers of being a “lawless governor” who exceeded his authority by calling for stricter rules, the AP said.
Meanwhile, medical personnel, educators, churches and many other groups in the state have sided with Evers by calling for more caution, The Associated Press reported.
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Some Republicans responded by saying that the governor’s use of authority was the main issue they wanted to address.
‘I know you want to make it about masks. It isn’t, ”Republican Majority Leader Jim Steineke told the AP. “It’s about the rule of law.”
Thursday’s meeting vote was 52-42 to withdraw the mandate, a week after the senate voted in favor of the same.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.