April 24, 2020

Working for you!

Special Public Health Emergency Update

The Need for Compassion

 The weight of this national emergency is felt by all of us in different ways. For many of us, there is an overwhelming sense of fear and uncertainty.

We have to show compassion for the sick, the front-line workers, healthcare professionals, at-risk individuals, and people who are losing their jobs and businesses.

We’re all in this together. Illness and job loss don’t discriminate based on politics. The solutions we need to address these serious problems must be collaborative and demonstrate compassion for everyone who is being harmed.

As we consider the right path for our state to take next, let’s do all we can to work together for the benefit of everyone.

Honoring My Responsibilities

From the first day of the shutdown, I’ve been asking how we plan to adapt in order to reopen safely. While the shutdown order has prevented a surge of COVID-19 from overwhelming our hospitals, it has also crippled our economy. It’s critical to put health and safety first; however, we cannot destroy folks’ ability to put food on the table.

The governor has done an admirable job at keeping us safe and I thank him for that.

As we plan for the future, we must ensure public safety and economic stability.

I have a duty to represent you by actively engaging in the development of policy and law. While the governor’s decisions have been well intentioned, they have not involved the legislature in any meaningful way. The legislature is asking the Supreme Court to restore the people’s involvement in the critical decisions being made about public health and the economy.

Details about the lawsuit from State Assembly Speaker Vos:

“The Wisconsin State Supreme Court is now reviewing the petition that the Wisconsin Legislature filed on Tuesday that challenges how the extension of the Safer at Home order was issued. The main question in the lawsuit is whether an unelected, unaccountable bureaucrat has broader authority and power than the governor and can exercise it without limit, or public or legislative input, or whether that bureaucrat is bound by the rules process.

“The Legislature is asking the court for an injunction of the extension but also asking to ‘stay enforcement of its injunction for a period of six days, to allow DHS sufficient time to promulgate a new emergency rule consistent with Wisconsin law (a process that it should begin undertaking as soon as this filing is served on them). Such a stay would fairly accommodate the parties’ mutual interest in preserving the status quo and ensuring no disruption to the State’s efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 while DHS undertakes steps to comply with all applicable statutes.’”

Your Ideas for a Safe Reopening Are Needed

As a former business owner, I know the value of consumer confidence. If a shopper or employee doesn’t feel safe, they find somewhere else to go.

When it comes time to reopen, folks will need to know that their places of work and where they spend money are safe to revisit.

That’s where you come in. I need your help for ideas to make Wisconsin safe enough to reopen with confidence. Please contact me with ideas about how businesses, places of worships, schools, etc. can reopen safely. When you reach out, be sure to leave your email, home address, and phone number, which will help me get back to you more effectively.

If you are a business owner or operator:

What will you do to restore consumer confidence?

Develop your plan now. Don’t wait for the government to act. Account for safety. Listen to the experts. Consider what you can do to ensure customers and employees are confident in their safety at your place of business.

Go beyond guidelines. The safer you make your business, the more likely you are to attract your customer base back.

Hospitals and Health Industries Scale Back

Hospitals and businesses that provide services like cancer screening are suffering massive budget shortfalls in light of the lack of demand for their services. While it’s critical for hospitals to remain on alert for any potential surge in COVID-19 patients, it’s clear that we must adapt flexible regional solutions to address the situation, instead of a one size fits all that is currently bankrupting our healthcare providers.

One Legislative Proposal for Reopening

Last Friday, many of my colleagues and I signed on to a letter authored by Rep. Horlacher that proposed a specific and achievable way for Wisconsin to reopen in a reasonable and responsible way. You can read the full proposal by clicking on the letter below:

On Tuesday, even one of my Democratic colleagues put forward a plan to move the state beyond the current shutdown. You can read more about Rep. Doyle’s plan here.

Today In the Fox Valley

The Wisconsin Hospital Association maintains a dashboard where the public can view the data being used by the state to make public health decisions.

COVID-19 Guidance and Assistance

Help is available if you are in need. You can’t control whether you lose your job or your benefits because of the Coronavirus. However, you can take steps to protect yourself in case you wind up without health insurance during the pandemic. If you have lost coverage (or fear that you might), you have options! Call 920-882-6420 or dial United Way’s 2-1-1 for free help.

Below are additional resources:

Unemployment and Job Opportunities

• Unemployment insurance claims should be made online if possible, and requirements have been relaxed. Many employers are currently hiring in order to fill gaps in delivery and retail services. Learn more by visiting https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/covid19/public/

Small Businesses

• Grants of up to $20,000 to targeted small businesses with no more than 20 employees to cover rent and to meet payroll expenses, including paid leave.

Financial Resources

• If you are experiencing financial impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, assistance may be available.

A Request from AASD

As part of our special update on Monday, I include an excerpt of a letter from the Appleton Area School District (AASD) as an example of harm being done when one size fits all solutions are imposed by the state and federal governments in our community. My purpose was not to insinuate that AASD wanted to open all schools, it was simply to display the need for flexibility during this emergency order to carry out their mission successfully. I support their request and I am including their letter below so it can be read in its entirety:

"Like" Representative Murphy's Facebook Page

I use Facebook to update constituents more frequently on my work in Madison and the 56th Assembly District. I look forward to using this as another way to connect with constituents and encourage you to follow it and watch for regular updates.