Empower Wisconsin | March 27, 2020

By M.D. Kittle

MADISON — Republican lawmakers say it has been difficult getting ahold of Gov. Tony Evers during the COVID-19 crisis.

Try being Evers’ constituents.

Dial up the guv’s office. Chances are no one will answer, but you will get a long message informing you that Evers’ team is “working around the clock to respond to and prevent further spread of COVID-19, and to provide accurate, current information on the status of COVID-19 in Wisconsin.”

The automated voice, almost as dull and uninspiring as Evers’, asks you to leave a message — with all the important information — on a voice mailbox that on Thursday was full.

“You cannot record a message for State of Wisconsin, Governor Evers office. This mailbox is full,” the even more automated-sounding message informs.

You can go online, at Evers.wi.gov, then click on Connect and select “Voice an Opinion.” Good luck with that. Responding to folks has not been Team Evers’ strong suit during the crisis.

“The governor has more information than he has shared with us,” Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) said this week during a teleconference with the press. ”I have serious doubts about the way (Evers’ shelter-in-place) order was put together … they didn’t consult us.  If they had, they probably would get different advice.”

Sounds like most of the communication from the governor in these uncertain times is coming from Evers’ advisors.

“Most of the communication has been with Maggie Gau (Evers’ chief of staff),” Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau said). “The governor has been on the line with us a couple of times.”