MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican legislative leaders moved Wednesday toward joining a federal lawsuit demanding that states be allowed to use federal coronavirus relief money to cover tax cuts.
Republican legislative leaders moved Wednesday toward joining a federal lawsuit demanding that states be allowed to use federal coronavirus relief money to pay
Wisconsin GOP leaders set to join lawsuit allowing aid to cover cuts
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and last updated 2021-05-13 11:30:35-04
MADISON, Wis. (AP) â Republican legislative leaders are taking a vote on whether to join a federal lawsuit seeking a ruling that federal coronavirus relief money can be used to cover tax cuts.
A group of attorneys general led by Republican Patrick Morrissey in West Virginia filed the lawsuit in March. Republicans who control the Wisconsin Assembly passed a resolution last month directing Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul to join the lawsuit but the resolution isn t binding and Kaul has refused to take part in the filing.
By Associated Press
May 12, 2021 | 5:34 PM
MADISON, Wis. (AP) Republican legislative leaders moved Wednesday toward joining a federal lawsuit demanding that states be allowed to use federal coronavirus relief money to cover tax cuts.
Senate President Chris Kapenga and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos began circulating a paper ballot among members of the joint committee that handles operational tasks for both houses asking for authorization to join the lawsuit and split costs between the houses.
Ballots were due back by 5 p.m. Thursday. Republicans control the committee by virtue of holding the majority in both houses, making authorization all but certain.
Provisions in the coronavirus aid package that President Joe Biden signed in March prohibit states from using the money to cover tax cuts. A group of attorneys general led by Republican Patrick Morrissey in West Virginia filed a lawsuit in March arguing the provisions infringe on state sovereignty.
Directing funds
Senate Republicans followed the Assembly s lead a day earlier passing nearly a dozen bills that would direct how $3.2 billion in federal funds from the latest stimulus package are spent.Â
Some of the spending may not be allowed under federal rules, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau. Republicans, however, have pushed forward with the legislation, saying the people s representatives should have a say over allocating the money instead of one person. Republicans have also criticized Evers for providing too little detail on how he plans to spend the billions of dollars in funding.Â
Republicans in the Legislature have advocated for oversight of those funds for several months now and on Tuesday passed bills aimed at directing the governor to spend about $2.7 billion, including $1 billion on property tax cuts, $200 million on small business aid, $75 million on tourism grants, $308 million on road projects and $150 million on nursing home aid, amo