State and local officials are waiting to see what the federal government will do for additional COVID-19 relief funding. The United States Congress passed a one-week stopgap funding measure on Wednesday to buy more time for lawmakers still trying to settle on what a relief package may look like. The Democratic-controlled House bill was about $400 million more than what the Republican-held Senate has proposed.  Leaders in Brown County warned Congress on Tuesday that people and businesses would suffer if lawmakers do not act quickly. State Senator Andre Jacque says it is not just about how much money the state gets, but what kind of strings are attached as well.

Governor Tony Evers is seeking to delay his annual budget address next year in order to wait for the most up-to-date numbers from the federal government as well as from the state’s fiscal bureau. Congress could pass a bill as soon as December 18th to pass a new relief package in addition to a plan to keep the government open for a year. Jacque says any federal aid will be tied to a state COVID-19 relief bill with the expected budget shortfall in mind.