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Evers tells Trump Wisconsin could lose $2B due to virus

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin faces $2 billion in revenue losses due to skyrocketing unemployment and other hits to the economy caused by the coronavirus, Gov. Tony Evers told President Donald Trump in a letter sent this week along with the governors of Michigan and Pennsylvania.

The governors, all Democrats, urged Trump in the letter dated Wednesday to work with Congress to send $500 billion to states and local governments facing budget shortfalls. The letter was sent that same day that Evers signed a bill passed by the Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature that clears the way for spending about $2 billion the state is receiving in federal funds.

But Evers said that doesn’t go far enough in addressing the crisis in Wisconsin. In the letter to Trump, he said the state’s unemployment rate sits at about 15% of the state’s workforce and it’s expected to lose more than $2 billion in tax collections over the next year.

“This significant revenue shortfall will damage the state’s ability to respond to the economic crisis faced by our workers and businesses,” Evers wrote.

While the governors push for more money, pressure is building among some to reopen shuttered businesses. A rally is planned for April 24 at the Wisconsin Capitol to pressure Evers to reopen the state.

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