You will not see the unemployment benefit disappear nor more money for schools after a pair of Wisconsin Legislature sessions in Madison this week. Assembly Republicans failed to override a veto by Governor Tony Evers in efforts to get rid of the federal unemployment benefit of $300 per week before the program ends September 6th. A party-line vote defeated the measure, keeping the program in place. Rep. Joel Kitchens understands that the benefit is not the sole reason for the worker shortage, but believes many of his Democratic colleagues chose to vote against the override to appease Governor Evers.

The state Assembly and Senate gaveled into special session later in the day at the request of the governor to take another look at increasing the education budget. Governor Evers called on the Wisconsin Legislature to approve $550 million for K-12 and higher education in the state, though both the Assembly and Senate gaveled out of special session without consideration or debate. With the special session coming two weeks after Governor Evers signed the biennial budget, Kitchens questions the motivation.

Barring any other special sessions, the Wisconsin Legislature’s next scheduled floor period is not until September 28th.