The Goyke Report

Contents:

  • Upcoming Election
  • State Legislative Action Update
  • MKE Community Resources
  • Our office is OPEN

Contact Us: 

State Capitol
P.O. Box 8952
Madison, WI 53708 

PH: (608) 237-9118
TF: (888) 534-0018
FAX: (608) 282-3618

Email: Rep.Goyke@legis.wi.gov 
 www.goyke.assembly.wi.gov


Reliable Sources: 

 

Dear Neighbors,

Each day we are receiving updates from state agencies regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. I will do my best to keep you informed. 

I will continue to send updates, but you can also access updates through my Facebook page and Twitter feed. While our office is physically closed and we are working remotely, we are able to answer your calls and emails, so please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.  Thank you! 


In service,


 

Evan Goyke
State Representative
18th Assembly District

  

April 7th Election

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Gaby and I took advantage of Milwaukee's safe and easy drive-up voting this week, but you can also request an absentee ballot online until 5:00 PM on April 2nd


COVID-19 Legislative Update

Now that the Federal Government has acted, the State Legislature needs to take action as well.  Today, Legislative Democrats, with my input and support, sent Republican leaders a letter outlining priorities, ideas, and proposals aimed at addressing challenges that should have broad, bipartisan support.  We are taking the initiative to begin the legislative effort to support our families and businesses in districts across Wisconsin.  The Legislature should be called into session as soon as possible to move legislation forward and aid in the health and well-being of our State. 

To keep you fully informed, a copy of the letter may be found HERE and a brief summary is below.

 

Public Health & Health Care

Increased funding and staffing for DHS and local public health departments

  • DHS and Wisconsin Healthcare facilities need more funding to accommodate increased staffing and additional resources to respond to the COVID-19 emergency.

Ensure that everyone has access to quality health care

  • We need to remove barriers to services and resources for all Wisconsinites and mandate coverage for testing, diagnosis, treatment, and medications/vaccines in relation to COVID-19.

Save state taxpayer dollars by maximizing federal resources

  • Legislators must make changes to state law so that Wisconsin may receive a federal match for state Medicaid programs in order to save taxpayer dollars.

Unemployment Insurance

Suspend the one-week waiting period for Unemployment Insurance (UI)

  • This waiting period should be suspended to bring immediate relief to our neighbors impacted by unexpected job losses.

Expand UI to cover workers without access to paid leave

  • The legislature must ensure that workers who do not have access to paid sick leave and are told to isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19, even if not diagnosed, are considered unemployed and are able to access UI.

Expand Wisconsin Work-Share statute

  • Wisconsin should provide employers with the flexibility to reduce hours to allow for more workers to stay employed while allowing employees to use UI to make up for a portion of lost hours.

Housing

Protect business and single-family renters from eviction

  • It is vital that businesses and individuals who are not able to generate income during this crisis are not evicted or have their rental history negatively impacted.

K12 Education

Grant additional waiver authority for DPI

  • DPI should be allowed to waive requirements in statutes or administrative rules to allow for flexibility on things such as mandated testing.

Ensuring teacher and school employee pay

  • Teachers and employees should continue to receive compensation at their regular rates and hours.

Supporting Small Businesses

Expand access to low-interest, long-term loans and grants for small businesses

  • Small businesses should be provided state grants and low-interest, long-term loans to retain workers, maintain inventory, and pay bills if they have been impacted by COVID-19.

Defer sales tax payments for small businesses

  • Small businesses should be able to defer sales taxes without interest or penalty in order to generate more cash flow.

Give local government and small businesses flexibility in meeting state deadlines

  • We need to allow for increased flexibility to people, businesses, and local governments to meet tax deadlines.

Elections

Allow absentee ballots postmarked by the day of the election to be counted

  • Ballots that were mailed out on time must be counted even if they arrive late due to slowed postal service that is a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

Waive the witness signature requirement during the public health emergency

  • Wisconsin must eliminate the requirement to have a witness sign another person’s absentee ballot to increase access to voting for individuals who live alone and/or are practicing social distancing.

Prepare to vote-by-mail in 2020

  • We should put a policy in place to eliminate the need for any in-person voting for future elections by mailing every registered voter an absentee ballot.

Modify voter registration deadlines

  • Individuals should be allowed to register online up to five days before the election date to reduce the number of in-person registration.

Modify nomination paper requirements for candidates 

  • Implement safer processes for collecting nomination signatures that adhere to public health guidelines. 

Legislature

Allow legislators to communicate with constituents during a public health emergency

  • It is crucial that legislators continue to keep their constituents informed during this time and the state needs to rescind rules restricting mass communication with constituents.

 Community Resources

Healthcare Assistance 

  • There are additional services that can now be provided via telehealth
  • Ascension St. Joseph is offering drive-through testing for COVID-19. You must call to be pre-screened (1-833-981-0711)
  • Ascension also has a 24/7 online portal where you can speak with a doctor to ask questions or request information
  • Ascension will NOT bill uninsured patients and will not charge copays for patients with insurance 
  • Progressive Community Health Centers 12th Street Urgent Care remains open at Aurora Sinai Medical Center for same-day medical needs
  • Progressive Community Health Center is accepting emergency dental walk-ins Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM with no appointment needed
  • Walgreens is providing free prescription delivery services for eligible prescriptions and free shipping for any Walgreens online purchases
  • CVS Health company is offering 90-day maintenance medication prescriptions for insured and Medicare members  
  • Milwaukee County Health and Human Services offers free services for adults with disabilities
  • Milwaukee County Department on Aging has modified their resources for elderly individuals who may need extra help due to COVID-19
  • The City of Milwaukee Health Department has resources and updates here

Economic Assistance

  • Apply for Unemployment Compensation through the Department of Workforce Development (link) 
    • Governor Evers has temporarily waived the work search requirement for those who apply during the COVID-19 emergency
    • Check out this how-to guide if you need help applying for benefits 
    • More general question of Unemployment Compensation? Check out my videos on the Goyke Office Youtube Channel!
  • Small Business relief
    • The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) has created a program that can provide grants of up to $20,000 to some businesses that have fewer than 20 employees
    • Wisconsin was also approved for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance from the federal Small Business Administration (SBA) which provide low-interest loans up to $2 million
    • Check out the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation website for details
  • Federal and State tax deadlines have been delayed from April 15th to July 15th
  • Milwaukee County Energy Assistance Program will continue to offer services via the phone, call 414-270-4653 to schedule your appointment 

 Transportation Assistance 

  • Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) has suspended fare collection for bus rides and has implemented safety precautions like having riders enter through the back door unless they have a disability and need to use the front door/ramp
  • Resources for seniors who need transportation can be found HERE

Housing Assistance

  • Gov. Evers ordered the suspension of evictions during the COVID-19 emergency
  • Community Advocates created a help/resource line and email to help people who have questions about rent payments or housing issues during COVID-19
    • Helpline number: 414-270-4646, email address: renthelp@communityadvocates.net
    • Community Advocates website provides further details on the services that continue to operate and how service delivery has been modified due to COVID-19, for general information and questions Call 414-270-2941. They return calls within 24 hours

Educational Resources Assistance 

  • Milwaukee Public Schools created an online learning portal for students 
  • MPS also offers educational resources and instructional learning materials at all 20 of its food pick-up sites
  • Scholastic is providing free “Learn at Home” educational resources for learners from Pre-K through 9th grade
  • Audible has expanded access to free audiobook stories to help keep kids who are at home entertained

Food and Nutritional Assistance

  • The Hunger Task Force has an interactive map where you can check or local community food pantry’s hours and operations
  • The Hunger Task Force is also offering a “Mobile Market” Monday-Friday. The program delivers fresh produce, meat, and dairy to people living in food desert neighborhoods in Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha counties
  • Milwaukee Public Schools provide two free “grab-and-go” meals on weekdays between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM at 20 different locations 
  • The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee will be providing grocery bags with food for five days (five breakfasts, five lunches, and five dinners) that can be picked up at three designated sites in Milwaukee from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Milwaukee Neighbor News has compiled a list of other local organizations working to offer food assistance, their list is here

Emotional Wellness and Mental Health Assistance

  • The CDC has numerous resources and hotlines to help people cope with the stress and anxiety they may be experiencing due to COVID-19 
  • Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division is offering tips for coping for people struggling with feeling isolated while practicing social distancing
  • Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division also has a line where you can speak with professional counselors: (414) 257-7222
  • Outreach is offering online recovery support options for individuals in recovery from addiction
  • SMART Recovery (for any addiction/addictive behaviors) is hosting online meetings

 

 Stay Home, Save Lives

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Even though the State Capitol is closed, our office remains "open". Pistachio and I will continue to receive your calls and emails. 

Phone: (608) 237-9118

Email: rep.goyke@legis.wisconsin.gov