Wisconsin's mask mandate remains in place and the push to repeal it is on hold. Continuing Coverage: Coronavirus in WisconsinThe state Assembly delayed its vote to end the mandate, saying new information had come to light. "I hate being caught by surprise. We usually don't have that happen," Assembly speaker Robin Vos said. After delaying Thursday's session by more than four hours, Vos announced the Republican-led Assembly would postpone its scheduled vote to repeal Gov. Tony Evers' emergency health order and mask mandate.The reason? The lawmakers were caught off guard by news from Legislative Fiscal Bureau that by ending the emergency health order, Wisconsin would lose nearly $50 million a month in Federal Emergency Foodshare funding, impacting nearly 250,000 families in need. "It's not about masks, it's about money," Hunger Task Force Executive Director Sherri Tussler said.Tussler was the first to warn that lawmakers may be overlooking the fallout from ending the health order and mask mandate."If the legislature votes to lift this mandate, emergency mandate, those benefits go away and you won't see them again in February," Tussler said.The state Senate moved to try to salvage the mask mandate repeal while keeping the Foodshare dollars."This will allow us to continue receiving the funds," state Sen. Steve Nass (R-LaGrange) said.But the Assembly put its vote to end the mask mandate on hold -- for now."I am both relieved and surprised that we are not acting on a mask mandate," Assembly Minority Leader Gordon Hintz said."When we pass SJR3, and we will pass it, that we do it in a way that does not have any potential financial implications for the state," Vos said."And had you not spoken up?" WISN 12 News reporter Kent Wainscott asked."They would have voted, and we wouldn't have a mandate and people would be going without in the month of February," Tussler said.Vos said the Assembly will vote to end the mandate. It could happen as soon as next week, but they have to find a way to do that without causing the state to lose millions of dollars in federal funds every month.Republicans have long argued Gov. Tony Evers has exceeded his power in issuing numerous emergency orders.Now proposing he be allowed to do so -- only for the federal funds -- and are attaching it to a bill he may not sign."Does the governor need to sign this bill to ensure this funding stays in place?" WISN 12 News reporter Matt Smith asked."We don't know the answer to that. We're asking a lot of those questions," state Rep. Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee) said. Evers has not responded. He is expected to appear during a briefing with state health officials Friday morning.Earlier this week, Shorewood extended its mask mandate until May 17, and Wauwatosa extended its until April 7. Sign up for coronavirus email alerts from WISNGet breaking news alerts with the WISN 12 app.Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube