Press Release: Gov. Evers Provides Update on Investments made in Public Health, Emergency Response, and Economic Stabilization

Office of Governor Tony Evers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 20, 2020
Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov or 608-219-7443
 
Gov. Evers Provides Update on Investments made in Public Health, Emergency Response, and Economic Stabilization
Administration continues to prioritize Wisconsin communities in COVID-19 pandemic response

MADISON —​ Gov. Tony Evers today provided an updated accounting of federafunds invested in public health, emergency response efforts, and economic stabilization in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds were allocated by the Evers Administration from the state’s Coronavirus Relief Fund, which was made available to Wisconsin through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

“We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected Wisconsinites in every corner of our state,” said Gov. Evers. “We’re going to continue working to make sure that every Wisconsinite knows how these funds are being used to fight the pandemic and support families, farmers, and small businesses who need it most.”

To date, federal funds have been invested in emergency response/public health measures and economic support initiatives for Wisconsin residents, businesses, and communities. As of October 9, the state has expended $476 million and obligated an additional $479 million. An additional $919.1 million in funds have been committed but are not yet distributed. Roughly $120 million remain unallocated to ensure the state continues to have the flexibility to respond to emerging needs.

Additional information on these efforts is available on Wisconsin’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Investment dashboard website. The website provides transparent and regularly updated information regarding how and where Wisconsin is investing federal funding, including significant funding from the federal CARES Act.

Federal CRF dollars must be expended by the end of 2020, leaving Wisconsin and other states facing a significant cliff in available funding despite the ongoing pandemic. The Administration is continuing to make regular revisions to allocations to reflect actual costs in order to ensure Wisconsin is able to utilize funds prior to the federal deadline.

As of yesterday, Wisconsin has 173,891 positive cases of COVID-19, 9,319 hospitalizations, and 1,600 deaths due to the coronavirus. Current trends continuing to show an increase in cases in Wisconsin, requiring a continued investment in these detection and mitigation efforts.

Public Health & Emergency Response (in millions) 

Program 

Initial Allocation 

Revised Allocation 

Surge Operating Fund 

$445 

$162 

Ventilators 

$40 

$35 

Emergency Procurement 

$150 

$150 

Testing Program (including National Guard, local community and higher education testing efforts) 

$260 

$506.6 

Contact Tracing 

$75 

$75 

State FEMA match/agency expenses 

$200 

$120 

 

Public Awareness Efforts 

 

$3 

Isolation Facilities 

 

$1.2 

TOTAL 

$1.170b 

$1052.8 

 

Economic Support and Recovery Initiatives (in millions) 

Program 

Allocation 

Health Related Programs 

 

CARES Act Provider Payments (including Long Term Care, Community-based, EMS Grants) 

$100 

Underserved Clinics & Tribal Health 

$10 

Hospitals 

$40 

Medical College of Wisconsin 

$4 

Enrollment Assistance 

$1 

Other Health Care 

$6 

Impacted Industries 

 

WEDC (including We’re All In Round 1 and Round 2) 

$128 

Agriculture Direct Support Payments 

$50 

Tourism – Destination Marketing Organizations 

$12 

Lodging Industry Assistance 

$20 

Live Venue Assistance 

$15 

Movie Venue Assistance 

$10 

Cultural Institutions 

$15 

Education & Child Care 

 

Out-of-School Support 

$10 

Higher Education 

$37 

Child Care Counts Program 

$80 

Individual Assistance 

 

WI Rental Assistant Program (WRAP) 

$35 

Food Security Initiatives 

$25 

Local Government & Tribes Routes to Recovery 

$201 

LIHEAP & Keep Wisconsin Warm Fund Utility Assistance 

$16 

Other Initiatives 

 

Broadband expansion 

$6.2 

Wisconsin Eye 

$0.1 

 

 

TOTAL 

$821.3 

 

 

 

 
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