Budget Committee Approves Plan to Address Unemployment Upgrade and Protect Businesses from COVID-19 Lawsuits

The Legislature’s budget committee unanimously approved a plan Wednesday to overhaul the state’s unemployment insurance computer system and protect businesses from coronavirus-related lawsuits. The plan that advanced Wednesday would also briefly suspend a requirement that those thrown out of work wait a week before qualifying for unemployment benefits.

Whether the plan can get approval from Evers remains unclear, but the bipartisan support for it Wednesday suggests he may be on board. Evers spokesman Britt Cudaback would not say whether the governor supported the Republican proposal.

The Joint Finance Committee approved the bill 15-0 on Wednesday. That allows the bill to go to the Senate and Assembly, which could vote on it soon.