Evers Signs Opioid Law

U.S. News & World Report – Gov. Tony Evers defended signing a bill that he believes is partially unconstitutional and that every Democrat except one in the legislature opposed, saying the measure will speed disbursement of settlement money with opioid manufacturers, according to reporting by U.S. News & World Report.

Evers’ decision to sign drew bipartisan praise at a news conference Tuesday in Waukesha from Republicans who said the law is key to unlocking money that counties desperately need to fight the opioid epidemic.

Under the law, the state must work with counties on settlements to lawsuits they have filed separately against opioid manufacturers and distributors, according to the report. The law requires 70% of any settlement to go to local governments and 30% to the state. And all of the money would have to be spent on opioid abuse – no other government programs.

Evers said his primary reason for signing the bill was to ensure that money from any settlement gets to Wisconsin counties and municipalities quickly.