Madison, WI – Rep. Rachael Cabral-Guevara voted to approve Assembly Joint Resolution 4, which repeals the governor’s illegally-issued state of emergency declaration. Following her vote, Rep. Cabral-Guevara released the following statement:
“Governor Evers has broad powers to issue public health emergency declarations and orders under statute 323, but it is not unlimited,” said Rep. Cabral-Guevara.
Wisconsin law clearly establishes a state of emergency shall not exceed 60 days, unless extended by a joint resolution of the legislature. With each of the emergency orders following the original one in March, Governor Evers broke Wisconsin law as it extended past those 60 days without involvement of the legislature. “Unfortunately, he has not worked with the legislature on any emergency or permanent rule,” said Rep. Cabral-Guevara. “His overreach prevents the people of this state from participating in this decision-making process through their elected representatives in the legislature.”
“I am not opposed to mask wearing. In fact, I wear them every day in my role as a nurse and wherever people request me to. The issue is the law needs to be followed by everyone, not just a select few, regardless of current circumstances,” added Rep. Cabral-Guevara.
This morning she joined her Assembly Republican colleagues in sending a letter to the governor requesting that they work together on reasonable masking requirements in places that are susceptible to transmission of the virus to protect those who are especially vulnerable. The letter asks Governor Evers and his administration to introduce an administrative rule to the Legislature as well as require the state to pay for COVID-19 tests that anyone may take, free of charge.
Rep. Cabral-Guevara also voted for an amendment to Assembly Bill 1, the COVID-19 Relief Bill, to ensure that the state captures roughly $50 million a month in federal food assistance. Both the bill and the resolution head to the State Senate for consideration.
