COVID-19 Update - Friday, May 8th

In order to support your families being able to take a deep breath, turn away from constant news updates, and create a new temporary normal, my office will continue sending a daily update on the COVID-19 public health emergency and will post online on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

It is my hope that one reliable update each day will allow you to take a deep breath, oversee all that is happening in your own life and home, and have a reliable source of news you can count on to be up to date and accurate. As always, previous updates are on our website and linked beneath the graphic below.

My greatest concerns right now are your lives and livelihoods. We are working hard to keep you and your loved ones safe, and to fight for our small businesses in an unprecedented crisis.

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Past email updates can be found HERE

Reopening Guidelines for Businesses

Governor Evers announced today that the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation has put together a guide for businesses on what they need to know to reopen safely so that employees and customers can feel confident when they return as we begin turning the dial in response to COVID-19.

The guidelines can be found on the WEDC website HERE.

Letter to Congress - Higher Education Funding

My colleagues and I in the Wisconsin State Legislature sent a bipartisan letter to the Wisconsin Congressional Delegation in support of prioritizing funding for higher education institutions, like our University of Wisconsin System, as they consider further legislation in response to COVID-19.

Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, our higher education institutions are faced with new and significant challenges, including strained financial resources and the logistics of transitioning to all distance learning. In recent weeks, the University of Wisconsin System has announced that it is expecting to lose approximately $170 million in revenue from the spring semester alone due to COVID-19, and that is only expected to increase. This includes refunds for housing and dining services, as well as losses from college sports revenues. Wisconsin needs federal assistance to help address these budgetary shortfalls.

Every dollar we invest in our UW System yields $23 in economic return, and all of our higher education campuses across the state provide crucial training and opportunities for the people of Wisconsin and beyond.

The full letter can be read HERE.

Unemployment Reminder

Unemployment Help.png The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a major need for unemployment assistance. If you are having issues with your unemployment claim, please let us know. Send us an email at Rep.Vining@legis.wisconsin.gov with the following information:

Your full name
Your home address
Your phone number
The date you filed & the status of your claim
The issues you are experiencing

Paycheck Protection Program - Reminder!

Small business owners — this is a reminder to you to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program from the federal government in response to COVID-19.

The PPP is accepting applications and can help cover payroll for small businesses during these difficult times. I spoke with Congressman Mark Pocan today, and he is encouraging small business owners to apply if they are able to.

For more information, and to apply, click HERE.

Minority-Owned Business Grant Program

Governor Evers announced today that 1,000 ethnically diverse micro-businesses that have suffered losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be eligible to receive grants of $2,000 each under a new state program called the "Ethnic Minority Emergency Grant".

This initiative focuses on supporting ethnically diverse micro-businesses that have not received the Paycheck Protection Program or other state disaster relief.

More information on the program can be found HERE.

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COVID-19 CASES

Statewide

9,590 confirmed cases

1,767 hospitalizations (18% of cases)

97,265 negative test results

384 devastating deaths

14th District Counties

Milwaukee - 3,722 confirmed cases
Waukesha - 387 confirmed cases

For daily updated information on COVID-19 in Wisconsin, visit the DHS website here.

Updates on the Badger Bounce Back plan gating criteria can be found HERE.

Forward together,