Empower Wisconsin | Jan. 14, 2021
MADISON — State government buildings remain closed to the public, but government workers are getting their meeting on.
Updated guidance from the Division of Personnel Management now allows for “in person meetings, trainings and conferences up to a maximum of 10 individuals.”
What’s changed since last summer when the Evers administration placed a hold on such activities? Infection rates, while on the decline, remain significantly higher than in the summer months.
DPM officials did not return Empower Wisconsin’s email seeking comment.
The updated guidance raises some questions. If it’s safe for state workers to get together again for training and conferences, why are so many restaurants in Madison and elsewhere still being driven out of business by stringent local health orders severely limiting capacity?
Does the new state employee guidance signal a change in Gov. Tony Evers’ court-paused edict on limiting gatherings at restaurants, bars and other small businesses?
Will Evers lift his order indefinitely closing state buildings to the public? If so, will he finally bring back to work the thousands of state employees who have been working remotely for months?
As of the latest guidance, telecommuting is expected to be in place through at least April 2.
