TUE PM Update: Evers slams GOP lawsuit over stay-at-home order as nakedly political power grab

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Gov. Tony Evers today slammed GOP leaders today for suing to overturn his administration’s latest stay-at-home order, calling the lawsuit a nakedly political power grab that diminishes the threat COVID-19 poses to the health of Wisconsin residents. Evers said the suit’s message to those who have contracted COVID-19 and died fro… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options. Username or E-mail Password * Remember Me     Forgot Password

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Pence praises GE employees in Madison for work to produce ventilators

Vice President Mike Pence today praised employees at a General Electric plant in Madison for their work to produce ventilators, saying their efforts were saving lives. Pence toured the facility and then did a roundtable with Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and GE employees. He told them President Trump sent him to thank company employees for their efforts. “Frankly, I felt more than … Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

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AG Kaul: Demands Trump administration halt rule that would “leave 3.1 million Americans hungry” during COVID-19

MADISON, Wis. – Attorney General Josh Kaul today joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general and the City of New York demanding that the Trump administration immediately suspend rulemaking that would cut food assistance for 3.1 million people. In a letter to the Department of Agriculture (USDA), the coalition urges the agency not to finalize a proposed rule that would take Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from millions of low-income Americans. The rule would also make it harder to qualify for food benefits and imposes significant new administrative burdens on states. The states and New York City warn that it

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Sen. Wirch: Statement on republican challenge to public health and safety measures

Kenosha – State Senator Bob Wirch (D-Somers) issued the following statement in response to the State Legislative Republicans’ lawsuit against the Safer at Home Order: “This is a real low for Republicans, playing politics with people’s lives.  This is serious.  We’ve got 449 confirmed cases and 16 deaths just in Kenosha and Racine Counties, and we know that the numbers are actually much higher.  Brown County is experiencing a major outbreak at the moment.   This virus knows now boundaries.  The fact is that all of us want to see the economy opened back up, but we need to do it safely

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Reps. Kind, Walorski: Lead bipartisan letter urging treasury dept. to ensure access to small business programs

La Crosse, WI—Today, Reps. Ron Kind (D-WI), Jackie Walorski (R-IN), and 163 of their colleagues sent a letter to the Department of Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin demanding that he provide immediate clarity for rural electric cooperatives’ eligibility for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Congress is expected to replenish the PPP later this week. Nearly all electric cooperatives are classified as “small” under the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) size standards, with the average cooperative employing under 50 people. With these electric cooperatives facing the same challenges as many other small businesses, Rep. Kind and his colleagues are urging the SBA to ensure that these cooperatives

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Rep. Vos: Legislature takes Gov. Evers to court

[Madison, WI] – Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) released the following statement after filing an original action in the Wisconsin State Supreme Court challenging the governor’s extension of the Safer at Home order through May 26th. “The public outcry over the Safer at Home order continues to increase as positive COVID cases decrease or remain flat. There’s immense frustration regarding the extension, as it goes beyond the executive branch’s statutory powers. Wisconsinites are forced to sit by with no voice in the process. Other Midwestern states with more confirmed cases, like Ohio, have set

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GOP lawmakers ask state Supreme Court to halt latest Evers stay-at-home order

GOP lawmakers today asked the state Supreme Court for an injunction preventing the Evers administration from enforcing its latest stay-at-home order, arguing Health Services Secretary Andrea Palm exceeded her authority in issuing the new directive. The Legislature asked the Supreme Court to hear the suit directly and issue an injunction preventing enforcement of the new stay-at-home order, arguing it exceeds the department’s authority. The suit also argued the Evers administration inappropriately went around the Legislature in issuing the order. GOP lawmakers also asked for the court to stay the proposed injunction for six days to give DHS time to promulgate

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WisPolitics.com: “Earth Day: The Next 50 Years” panel discussion

This April marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, founded by Wisconsin native Gaylord Nelson, a former governor and U.S. senator. WisPolitics.com held a virtual lunchtime event on Tuesday, April 21 entitled “Earth Day: the Next 50 Years.” Headlining the hour-long discussion was Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, chair of the Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change, and state Rep. Mike Kuglitsch, R-New Ber… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

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Gov. Evers appoints Laura Waite as Waushara County District Attorney

MADISON – Gov. Tony Evers announced today his appointment of Laura Waite to serve as Waushara County District Attorney. Waite is currently an assistant district attorney in Wood County. She has a diverse legal background with extensive experience working with survivors of domestic abuse and child abuse. Waite has a deep commitment to central Wisconsin and serving its people, having lived in the region most of her life. “Laura Waite is exactly the kind of district attorney Waushara County needs. She is capable, compassionate, and level-headed. Laura will provide Waushara county with a strong and sensible approach to criminal justice.

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Sen. Hansen: Response to GOP criticism of Gov. Evers’ plan: The virus doesn’t follow the calendar or municipal boundaries

“Republicans’ demand that Governor Evers provide a plan to re-open the economy ignores the science of the pandemic and President Trump’s own guidelines for re-opening the economy is irresponsible.  Their demands also ignore the concerns of the majority of Wisconsin residents who support continuing the Safer at Home order until the data shows that it is safe to begin opening up parts of our communities in a thoughtful and safe way. “COVID-19 does not follow the calendar.  It knows nothing about dates or times.  Nor does it respect geographical boundaries.  What might seem like a decline one day might lead

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WisDems: Wisconsinites speak out ahead of Pence visit

Ahead of Pence Visit to Wisconsin, Congressman Pocan, Senator Dave Hansen, Frontline Nurse, Wisconsinite Who Lost Jobs Due To COVID-19 Speak Out Against Trump Administration’s Failure to Address Crisis (MADISON, WI) — As Mike Pence breaks his government’s own travel advisory warnings to get a photo-op at a ventilator production facility today, Congressman Mark Pocan, State Senator Dave Hansen, frontline nurse Shari Signer, and Wisconsinite Susan Berna, who lost both her jobs due to the novel coronavirus and is desperate to get insurance through the ACA marketplace, spoke out during a video press call to highlight the Trump administration’s chaotic and failed

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Alzheimer’s Association: Offers free virtual services for Wisconsin residents

MILWAUKEE, WI – April 21, 2020 – While the COVID-19 pandemic threatens the health of millions in this country and around the world, the novel coronavirus presents unique challenges for more than 5 million Americans, including 120,000 in Wisconsin, living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Association, Wisconsin Chapter is offering free virtual (phone and webinar) programming including care consultations, education programs, and support groups to help all Wisconsin caregivers and their families. “During this challenging time, it’s critical that all Wisconsin caregivers have access to Alzheimer’s Association resources even if they cannot venture out,” said Wendy Betley, Senior

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Rep. Loudenbeck: Statement on retirement of Rep. Fields

Madison – Today, Rep. Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton) released the following statement after Rep. Jason Fields (D-Milwaukee) announced his retirement from the legislature. “I’ve had the honor and pleasure to get to know Jason during our time together in the legislature. We worked together on several bills that were signed into law, including 2019 Act 35 to help close the achievement gap. Jason is a true statesman. He is open-minded, strong willed and willing to work together for what’s best for his district and the people of Wisconsin.” “Jason and I initiated our own legislative exchange this past session. My staff and I

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Reps. Kind, Walorski: Lead bipartisan letter urging treasury dept. to ensure access to small business programs

La Crosse, WI—Today, Reps. Ron Kind (D-WI), Jackie Walorski (R-IN), and 163 of their colleagues sent a letter to the Department of Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin demanding that he provide immediate clarity for rural electric cooperatives’ eligibility for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Congress is expected to replenish the PPP later this week. Nearly

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Rep. Vos: Legislature takes Gov. Evers to court

[Madison, WI] – Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) released the following statement after filing an original action in the Wisconsin State Supreme Court challenging the governor’s extension of the Safer at Home order through May 26th. “The public outcry over the Safer at Home

Read More »

WisPolitics.com: “Earth Day: The Next 50 Years” panel discussion

This April marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, founded by Wisconsin native Gaylord Nelson, a former governor and U.S. senator. WisPolitics.com held a virtual lunchtime event on Tuesday, April 21 entitled “Earth Day: the Next 50 Years.” Headlining the hour-long discussion was Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, chair of the

Read More »

Gov. Evers appoints Laura Waite as Waushara County District Attorney

MADISON – Gov. Tony Evers announced today his appointment of Laura Waite to serve as Waushara County District Attorney. Waite is currently an assistant district attorney in Wood County. She has a diverse legal background with extensive experience working with survivors of domestic abuse and child abuse. Waite has a

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WisDems: Wisconsinites speak out ahead of Pence visit

Ahead of Pence Visit to Wisconsin, Congressman Pocan, Senator Dave Hansen, Frontline Nurse, Wisconsinite Who Lost Jobs Due To COVID-19 Speak Out Against Trump Administration’s Failure to Address Crisis (MADISON, WI) — As Mike Pence breaks his government’s own travel advisory warnings to get a photo-op at a ventilator production facility today,

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Rep. Loudenbeck: Statement on retirement of Rep. Fields

Madison – Today, Rep. Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton) released the following statement after Rep. Jason Fields (D-Milwaukee) announced his retirement from the legislature. “I’ve had the honor and pleasure to get to know Jason during our time together in the legislature. We worked together on several bills that were signed into law,

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