News from Nancy

I hope this message finds you well. Earlier this week, I put together and shared an opinion column encouraging everyone to take the opportunity to give pause on Monday in order to honor those that have fallen in service to our county. I think that's especially important this year because of the absence of formal recognition and remembrance events throughout local communities due to COVID-19 concerns. If you'd like to take a look at the column on my website, click HERE

In lieu of an in-person event on Monday, the state Department of Veterans Affairs is holding a virtual commemoration. Per a DVA release this week: "Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) Secretary Mary Kolar...invited Wisconsin veterans, family, and friends to join the WDVA and Governor Tony Evers to honor the fallen by participating in Memorial Day 2020: Wisconsin’s Virtual Commemoration, a state-wide Memorial Day observance. The Commemoration is available at www.WisVetsMemorialDay2020.com." 

The full news release with additional information can be viewed on the DVA website HERE.

As I'm sure you're aware, last week, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Andrea Palm, at the direction of Governor Evers, exceeded her authority with the extension of the "Safer at Home Order," or Order 28, and therefore the order was not valid.

The case was brought forward by the Legislature as a challenge to overreach by the executive branch based on the laws we have on the books and have had on the books for a number of years, and I’m glad that as a result of the decision, it was determined that proper rulemaking procedures needed to be followed. That said, I think it's unfortunate that it was the second time in just over a month that the Legislature needed to take Governor Evers and his administration to court in order to seek legal remedy to make them follow the law. Everyone deserves better than that from their elected officials. To review my full statement on the decision, click HERE.

Subsequently, Secretary-designee Palm introduced a scope statement - the first step in the rulemaking process - for an emergency rule related to the state responding to COVID-19 and then quickly withdrew the scope statement after it was met with immediate criticism from the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR) because the scope statement introduced essentially laid out the exact same 'one size fits all,' onerous, and constitutionally questionable parameters, criteria, and plans that the governor's administration previously implemented. If you'd like, you can view the scope statement HERE.

For background, any rule promulgated by an administrative agency has the opportunity for oversight from the Legislature that includes the acceptance, rejection, or revision of agency rules, and JCRAR is the committee primarily responsible for handling the oversight process in the Legislature. The governor has falsely accused legislative Republicans of not wanting any types of re-opening restrictions whatsoever. It has been repeatedly communicated to the governor that there's a desire for at least a dialogue and ideally the opportunity for some sort of compromise related to regional restrictions and re-openings because of the stark difference in affected individuals in the Southeast part of the state and Brown County vs. the rest of the state.

Quite a few people have contacted me in the past few weeks communicating a desire to see the Legislature work with Governor Evers on a re-opening plan. I think that's a reasonable request. As a small business owner by way of owning an auto dealership, I'm familiar with how negotiations work. At a baseline level, to reach a compromise, both parties need to have a desire to give a bit to get to a mutual compromise. It happens all of the time in the regular legislative process. However, the governor has made clear he has no desire to compromise his position and therefore, there are major areas of disagreement on this issue and that will continue.

As I shared via Facebook last week after the decision was rendered, if you're inclined, it would be a good time, if you haven't already, to contact your local municipal and county elected officials. Absent superseding state law, as usual, local regulations are in effect and local officials have control to adapt and set the direction for their municipality while working in conjunction with local/county health departments. Local and county health departments are continuing to work with the state Department of Health Services as well. It’s also important to emphasize, as has always been the case, that individuals are encouraged to take whatever precautions they believe are important for themselves, their family, and their friends. Federal, state, and local guidance is readily available and should be at everyone’s disposal. If my team and I can be of assistance in any way, please don’t hesitate to contact me.


Small business owners can continue to reach out to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for disaster relief loans through the Paycheck Protection Program. According to the SBA, more than 2.4 million loans have been approved in round two of the program. The federal government has reopened access to economic injury disaster loans and expanded eligibility to agricultural businesses impacted by the COVID-19 health emergency.

Additional assistance for certain small businesses will become available soon in the state of Wisconsin. The program is geared toward businesses that have yet to receive state COVID-19 assistance and have fewer than 20 employees. The grants will provide up to $2,500 to grant recipients. The governor's administration says it plans to cap the overall cost of the program at $75 million – or roughly 4% of the estimated $2 billion the state is receiving from the federal government. The grant program will be administered by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). More details on the program are expected in the coming weeks with WEDC beginning to accept applications in early June.

Earlier this week, Governor Evers also announced plans to spend more than $1 billion of the roughly $2 billion in federal dollars provided to Wisconsin by the CARES Act to help the state respond to problems associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan focuses on increasing local testing and contact tracing, purchasing equipment and supplies, and bolstering emergency operations to ensure the state is prepared for localized clusters. To view a summary of the proposed expenditures under the plan, click HERE.

I included another new web link in the 'Web Resources' listed below. Recently, the state Department of Health Services revealed a COVD-19 testing information page. Included, you'll find information about who should get a test, who can get a test, antibody testing, local resources to find out where to get a test, and additional information.

Please continue to utilize my legislative website, legis.wisconsin.gov/
assembly/70/vandermeer
, and follow Rep. Nancy VanderMeer on Facebook to communicate with me and receive up to date information and communication.

 Sincerely,


Nancy VanderMeer
70th Assembly District Representative
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The Monroe County Health Department and the Monroe County Mental Health Coalition requested videos for this year's Mental Health Awareness Month recognition.

I put together a video to show my appreciation for all of the good work that the Monroe County Mental Health Coalition does and recognize and thank them, in particular, for their efforts this legislative session to help advance the initiatives of the bipartisan Speaker's Task Force on Suicide Prevention of which I was able to serve on. To view the video on YouTube, click
HERE
May is also Military Appreciation Month. Congress designated May as National Military Appreciation Month in 1999 to ensure the nation was given the chance to publicly show their appreciation for troops past and present.

I was happy to partner with Senator Chris Kapenga of Delafield this session to author, pass, and ultimately get a bill signed into law that makes it easier for active duty and former military personnel and their spouses to obtain occupational licenses in their chosen profession in our state.

The bill is now
2019 Wisconsin Act 143 To view a news article that summarizes the legislation, what it means for active duty and former Wisconsin military members and their spouses, and some of the reasons I think it's important, click HERE.
Web Resources
Wisconsin Department of Health Services Testing Info
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/testing.htm 

Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA) COVID-19 Situational Awareness Update
https://www.wha.org/COVID19Update

Department of Health Services:
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/

Centers for Disease Control:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Monroe County Health Department
http://www.co.monroe.wi.us/departments/health-department/

Portage County Health and Human Services:
https://www.co.portage.wi.us/…/health-an…/division-of-health

Wood County Health Department:
https://www.co.wood.wi.us/Departments/Health/

Jackson County Public Health Department:
https://www.co.jackson.wi.us/…
Facebook
Website
Our mailing address is:
Suite 11W
P.O. Box 8953
Wisconsin State Capitol
Madison, WI 53708

Email: Rep.VanderMeer@legis.wisconsin.gov
Phone: (608) 237-9170

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