As part of Wisconsin’s efforts to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19, Governor Tony Evers announced a program to help renters who are at risk. The initial commitment is $25 million.
Gov. Tony Evers announced a $25 million Wisconsin Rental Assistance Program for those who have experienced income loss as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Wisconsinites have enough to worry about as we continue to battle the deadly COVID-19 virus. They should not also have to worry about losing the roofs over their head,” Evers said. “The Wisconsin Rental Assistance Program will hopefully provide peace of mind to a lot of people, as well as a reminder to them that we are all in this together. They have not been forgotten.”
We haven’t heard from the major nabobs of do nothing out of Madison, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald yet, but I imagine they have a problem with this program. At least they haven’t sued the governor…again!
But State Representative Van Wanggaard is all over this:
State Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, criticized the program in a statement saying “when individuals look for details or an application to access this aid, nothing can be found.”
“People are suffering and scared for their financial future,” Wanggaard said. “They need help now, not the promise of help only to find out they can’t access it. Making grand announcements of millions of dollars provides immediate hope to people in need. But that hope is snatched away when they find out there’s no way to get the money or learn any details.”
Wanggaard also criticized the timing of the announcement in light of recent news that 675,000 unemployment claims have gone unpaid.
“How many evictions will occur because of the inability to access unemployment payments?” Wanggaard said. “The administration needs to stop promising and start delivering.”
Now are his concerns valid? Yes, I agree that they are. But considering that his party and his leadership have done absolutely nothing be obstruct the governor at very turn…he has little place to complain. He’s been instrumental in hamstringing the governor. And this despite the fact that his home county has become one of the hot spots for COVID-19 in the last month or so.
Got some ideas on how to make this work? Please step up Rep. Wanggaard! Otherwise get out of the way!
His issues with the initial set up are niggling at this point. As a former IT person this stuff doesn’t happen overnight…particularly in an underfunded state government we live with today (thank you Rep. Wanggaard!).
But the issue around getting unemployment payments out is pretty serious…and should be reviewed. But I suspect that the late bills passed by the GOP majority led legislature may have a lot to do with that as well. You know, the bill that cost Wisconsin taxpayers $25 million in lost federal unemployment funds?
Next he’ll be calling WILL and all those lawyers in Ill. that we, the taxpayers, are paying millions too.