Gov. Evers: Announces state-operated voluntary isolation facilities and guidance to aid local communities in opening their own

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today announced the State of Wisconsin Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) is opening two state-run voluntary isolation facilities in Madison and Milwaukee and is providing guidance to local communities throughout Wisconsin. The two sites are set to open April 1, 2020 are at Lowell Center in Madison and a Super 8 hotel in Milwaukee. “As the state’s response to COVID-19 continues, we want to make sure those who need a safe place to stay have one available to them,” Gov. Evers said. “These voluntary self-isolation sites help respond to the pandemic in two ways. First, they

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Rep. Vruwink: Deficit spending in desperate times

During debate on our last session day in February, the State Assembly debated two major issues. One: What should we do with the projected state budget surplus? Two: Should we amend the United States Constitution to require the federal government to balance its budget?  The debate on whether to use the budget surplus for an income tax cut or to invest the money in public schools for a property tax cut caused us to remain divided and the funds remained uncommitted.  Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the projected surplus will probably now turn into a deficit, and it might work

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State lawmakers planning to meet to address COVID-19 pandemic

In today’s Midday podcast, Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said today he hopes to have the Senate meet virtually “in the next couple of weeks” to take up legislation addressing COVID-19 while Speaker Robin Vos said the Assembly was committed to meeting “soon.” Stephanie Hoff and Pat Poblete discuss what lawmakers are looking at and what Gov. Tony Evers is pushing for.

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Sen. Wirch: Businesses looking to give back to workers on front Lines of COVID-19 fight

Kenosha – We all owe a huge debt of gratitude to the healthcare personnel, law enforcement, fire fighters, paramedics and more who are out there fighting the coronavirus on a daily basis.  A number of businesses are recognizing the tremendous sacrifice that these people are making and have offered discounts or other benefits to them as a way to say, “Thank you”. Starbucks is giving frontline healthcare workers, which they say includes police, fire and paramedics, as well as doctors, nurses, hospital staff and researchers, a free full tall brewed coffee until May 3. Dollar General is offering a 10% discount

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Gov. Evers: Requests presidential disaster declaration in response to COVID-19 pandemic

Contact: [email protected] or 608-219-7443 MADISON – Gov. Tony Evers today sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requesting that the president issue a major disaster declaration for the entire state of Wisconsin, as a result the COVID-19 pandemic. The request covers all 72 counties and the state’s federally recognized tribes. “The response to this virus has required a tremendous response from the state and all of its communities that far exceeds the resources currently available to us,” Gov. Evers said. “By seeking this declaration, we are hopeful the state will be able to access critical programs that are needed to deal with

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U.S. Sen. Baldwin: Announces over $37 million in new community development block grants for Wisconsin

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today announced $37,286,321 in new federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) for Wisconsin communities to rapidly respond to COVID-19 and the economic and housing impacts caused by it. This funding was included in the bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was signed into law last week. The CARES Act included $5 billion total in CDBG funding. This initial round of funding is being allocated to states and local governments that received CDBG in Fiscal Year 2020. Additional CDBG allocations are forthcoming, including $1 billion to states to support a coordinated response across entitlement

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Lawrence University: Students volunteer to tutor kids online

APPLETON, Wisconsin – Lawrence University is joining several other universities in a community engagement learning program in which college students will volunteer to tutor younger students online during the COVID-19 pandemic. With elementary, middle, and high schools across the country moving instruction online, there’s an urgent need for online tutoring at all grade levels. Kristi Hill, director of the Center for Community Engagement and Social Change, is overseeing Lawrence’s portion of the program, in partnership with St. Norbert College and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. “After sending out a virtual volunteer interest survey, 53 Lawrentians expressed interest in volunteering to provide

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Dept. of Revenue: Secretary Peter Barca warns of scams, reminds taxpayers to never share personal info via phone, email or text

Department of Revenue Secretary Peter Barca has some very simple and important information to share with Wisconsinites waiting for stimulus checks from the IRS.  “The IRS will never call, text, or email you to ask for personal or banking information, and neither will the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.” Scammers are already working to defraud taxpayers by capitalizing on questions surrounding the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” or the CARES Act, particularly with regard to the stimulus payments to individuals.  Identity thieves are trying to convince potential victims to turn over personally-identifying information by telling them they must do it in order

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Van Mobley: Weighing the costs of next steps in lives and money

Is it really wise or noble to sacrifice our way of life, even for a moment, in an effort to save a small percentage of the population– when it seems possible, and perhaps even probable, we are not even pursuing the most effective strategies to protect that vulnerable, small percentage of our population? We should stop conceding our right and duty to think and decide on such questions to the health experts who occupy unelected offices.

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U.S. Rep. Steil: Introduces bill to rescind funding increase for Washington Theater included in coronavirus relief

JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN—Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) introduced a bill to rescind the $25 million in funding for the Kennedy Center included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Steil’s bill has 13 cosponsors, including Republican Whip Steve Scalise.   “Families and workers are struggling to pay rent, pay their mortgage, and buy groceries. Americans need relief and assistance now which is why I supported the CARES Act. However, some in Washington felt it was important to spend $25 million of taxpayer dollars on the Kennedy Center when there are obviously bigger needs right now. This is frivolous spending in

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Rep. Vruwink: Deficit spending in desperate times

During debate on our last session day in February, the State Assembly debated two major issues. One: What should we do with the projected state budget surplus? Two: Should we amend the United States Constitution to require the federal government to balance its budget?  The debate on whether to use

Read More »

State lawmakers planning to meet to address COVID-19 pandemic

In today’s Midday podcast, Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said today he hopes to have the Senate meet virtually “in the next couple of weeks” to take up legislation addressing COVID-19 while Speaker Robin Vos said the Assembly was committed to meeting “soon.” Stephanie Hoff and Pat Poblete discuss what lawmakers

Read More »

Gov. Evers: Requests presidential disaster declaration in response to COVID-19 pandemic

Contact: [email protected] or 608-219-7443 MADISON – Gov. Tony Evers today sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requesting that the president issue a major disaster declaration for the entire state of Wisconsin, as a result the COVID-19 pandemic. The request covers all 72 counties and the state’s federally recognized tribes. “The response

Read More »

Lawrence University: Students volunteer to tutor kids online

APPLETON, Wisconsin – Lawrence University is joining several other universities in a community engagement learning program in which college students will volunteer to tutor younger students online during the COVID-19 pandemic. With elementary, middle, and high schools across the country moving instruction online, there’s an urgent need for online tutoring

Read More »

Van Mobley: Weighing the costs of next steps in lives and money

Is it really wise or noble to sacrifice our way of life, even for a moment, in an effort to save a small percentage of the population– when it seems possible, and perhaps even probable, we are not even pursuing the most effective strategies to protect that vulnerable, small percentage of our population? We should stop conceding our right and duty to think and decide on such questions to the health experts who occupy unelected offices.

Read More »

U.S. Rep. Steil: Introduces bill to rescind funding increase for Washington Theater included in coronavirus relief

JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN—Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) introduced a bill to rescind the $25 million in funding for the Kennedy Center included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Steil’s bill has 13 cosponsors, including Republican Whip Steve Scalise.   “Families and workers are struggling to pay rent, pay their

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