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Governors from across the country are asking Trump for an additional $500 billion to fight the pandemic
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin is calling on President Trump to heed the call of governors across the country, including Gov. Tony Evers, by further opening federal coffers and providing an additional $500 billion in state funding due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This additional $500 billion ask by governors was made over the weekend by the National Governors Association. It comes as the $71 billion in aid approved in the federal COVID-19 relief bill is just starting to reach the states. The federal funding, based on the population of states, is bringing $2.2 billion in federal aid to Wisconsin.
“There is a public health and economic crisis devastating our state and Wisconsin needs President Trump to step up and provide real leadership to make our state whole and provide the resources we need to combat this pandemic and save lives,” said Baldwin, Wisconsin’s Democratic Congresswoman in a statement.
On Wednesday, Evers joined Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf in sending a letter to President Trump, asking him to support the additional $500 billion in federal assistance.
“As the COVID-19 crisis continues, the health of our people and our economies are dependent on your actions in the coming days and weeks,” said Evers, Whitmer and Wolf in the letter to Trump. “We implore you to act decisively and expeditiously during this unprecedented time for our Nation.”
Wisconsin is experiencing major job losses in the wake of COVID-19. The current unemployment rate is roughly 15 percent, said Evers. Evers added estimates indicate that state revenue losses are likely to exceed $2 billion over the next year.
“This significant revenue shortfall will damage the state’s ability to respond to the economic crisis faced by our workers and businesses,” wrote Evers to Trump.
The Wisconsin Counties Association, the League of Wisconsin Municipalities and the Wisconsin Towns Association also wrote letters to Trump Wednesday asking him to approve an additional $500 billion in additional spending.
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