Gov. Tony Evers issued Executive Order No. 82 requiring masks statewide in most public buildings, effective Aug. 1. However, GOP lawmakers almost immediately expressed they are ready to vote on overriding the mandate, according to a report from Wisconsin Public Radio.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, and other Republicans have said they oppose a statewide mask mandate, arguing restrictions of people and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic should be handled by local officials.
Evers’ order comes as part of a public health emergency declaration aimed at combating the COVID-19 pandemic, which has so far killed nearly 1,000 people in Wisconsin.
