This week, the Assembly and Senate met to pass legislation to help Wisconsin’s small businesses. Due to the pandemic, too many businesses have had to close their doors for good, and others are still struggling. There have been so many challenges over the past year, and this legislation will ease their path toward recovery. The Governor signed the bill into law on Thursday.
During the past few weeks, the Legislature has been experiencing technical difficulties with the distribution of our e-newsletter. Our IT staff have been working diligently to resolve this. Even when we are unable to send it out, you can always find the latest edition on my website or my Facebook page.
In this week’s newsletter, you will find background on the biennial budget Governor Evers introduced this week, information on the new Vaccination Registry, and more.
If you have any questions or need assistance with any matter, please feel free to contact my office.
Sincerely,
Lisa Subeck State Representative 78th Assembly District
Gov. Evers Delivers 2021-2023 “Badger Bounce Back Better” Budget Proposal
On February 16th, Governor Tony Evers delivered his biennial budget address to the Legislature. The $91 billion budget proposal invests in Wisconsin and its people. It also helps the state bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic, and be better than before.
Highlights of Gov. Evers’ proposal include:
· Addressing soaring prescription drug prices · $150 million investment in mental health services · $43 million investment in the agriculture industry · Legalizing marijuana: investing revenue in equity initiatives and rural schools · $740 million investment supporting kids, families, and caregivers · Allowing local leaders and community members to have a say in sales tax increases · $200 million investment in small business COVID recovery · Modernizing unemployment system · Supporting veterans and active-duty military · Addressing climate change, and investing in renewable energy · Renewing Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program for 10 years at $70 million per year · Investments in K-12 and Technical College system · $190 million investment in UW System: continuing, but funding, tuition freeze to help students and their families · Investing in infrastructure: broadband, transportation, transit · Justice, and juvenile justice, reform · Equity and inclusion: A Wisconsin for all
I look forward to working with my legislative colleagues throughout the budget process.
Rep. Subeck’s Priorities Addressed in Proposed State Budget
When the Governor is preparing the budget, he seeks feedback from many stakeholders like constituents, state agencies, and legislators. I brought to him priorities I envisioned as beneficial to the 78th Assembly District or the whole state. Many of my priorities came from my work on committees, task forces, legislation I had worked on in past sessions, and the needs brought to my attention by advocacy groups and constituents.
Having served on the Governor’s Task Force to Reduce Prescription Drug Prices, I was especially pleased with the inclusion of several measures the task force proposed to make drugs more affordable to those who need them. I was also excited to see that Governor’s budget proposes much-needed investment in mental health services, one of my longtime legislative priorities.
Another highlight from the Governor’s budget address is his agenda to assist families struggling with skyrocketing childcare costs, an issue I have discussed with him on behalf of my constituents who have shared their stories of childcare challenges with me. Additionally, the Governor’s budget invests in public education at a time when our teachers, children, and families need strong schools the most.
Also, I commend the governor for including in his budget measures I brought to his attention to expand access to legal representation for those who cannot afford it in civil cases. He also proposed increased funding to address homelessness, increase access to affordable housing, and increasing the minimum wage. Direct investments like these ensure that our most vulnerable neighbors will also be able to recover from the economic impact of the pandemic.
The budget introduced by Governor Evers is a bold proposal that lays the groundwork for Wisconsin to move forward over the biennium, post-pandemic, and into the future. I look forward to working with the Governor and my colleagues on a state budget that reflects Wisconsin values and puts the people of Wisconsin first.
I will be highlighting these more in future e-newsletters, however, other initiatives I have worked on and brought to the attention of the governor that have been addressed in his proposed budget include:
Increased access to ABLE accounts that help disabled individuals and their families save for the future.
Access to civil legal assistance for individuals in need.
Reducing fraud and waste through the reinstatement of the False Claims Act.
Criminal justice reforms, including limitations on the shackling of incarcerated women who are pregnant.
Expanded access to mental health care, including regional crisis mental health centers to eliminate the need to transport individuals facing mental health crises from Dane County, or elsewhere in the state, to Winnebago County.
Improved funding for District Attorney’s office that will bring needed resources to Dane County and others.
Initiatives to address homelessness and increase access to affordable housing.
Funding to increase access to affordable, quality childcare.
Comprehensive plan to help Wisconsinites afford their prescription medications.
Resources for local government and additional local control to ensure our communities can provide the highest quality services to residents.
Increased minimum wage and additional policies to support working families.
This week, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced that the state had vaccinated its one-millionth person. As of Friday, February 19, 2021, Wisconsin had administered 1,119,705 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. 13.4% of Wisconsinites have received at least one dose, while 5.4% have completed the vaccine series.
Also this week, DHS announced that it will soon launch a COVID-19 Vaccine Registry. This service will help connect people with the vaccine and will provide a central place to let people know where and when they can get vaccinated, and it will also help with appointment scheduling. If they are not eligible, or if no appointments are currently available, they will be placed on a waiting list. The registry will be used by those who opt-in and will not be a comprehensive resource for all vaccination options.
A small group of local health departments will be testing the software, including Public Health Madison and Dane County, beginning Monday, February 22. The program will launch in other areas of the state starting March 1.
You can learn more about the registry here. Check this link often, especially after February 22 and March 1, for updates.
HealthCare.gov reopened on February 15th for Wisconsinites to enroll in health care coverage. The open enrollment period runs through May 15. The Biden Administration allowed this new open enrollment period after advocates pushed for greater access to healthcare coverage in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wisconsinites who missed either the original enrollment deadline or their first payment for their enrolled plan, now have another opportunity to sign up. People who are already enrolled also have another chance to review their plan to make sure it still meets their coverage needs.
Most people on a HealthCare.gov plan qualify for financial help that lowers their monthly payment. If you would like to know if you qualify, you are encouraged to dial 2-1-1, or visit WisCovered.com to find free, expert help. These experts can help you understand your coverage, simplify the enrollment process, and help you select a plan that fits your family and your budget.
Wisconsin Fun Fact Celebrating Black History Month
John Ridley was born on September 30, 1965, in Milwaukee, WI. His father was an ophthalmologist, and his mother was a special education teacher in Milwaukee Public Schools. Ridley graduated from Homestead High Scholl in Mequon, WI, where he had lived since he was 7. Ridley attended Indiana University but graduated with a degree in East Asian languages from New York University.
After living and traveling in Japan for a year, Ridley moved to New York, and did standup, appearing on David Letterman’s, and Johnny Carson’s shows. In 1990, he moved to Los Angeles and wrote for TV sitcoms such as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Martin.
Ridley’s film debut came as the 1997 crime thriller Cold Around the Heart. Throughout the early 2000s, Ridley wrote, directed, and produced other films, TV shows, and books. Likely Ridley’s most notable and successful piece was the 2013 film 12 Years a Slave, which won three Academy Awards, a Golden Globe, and several other awards and accolades.
In 2018, Ridley’s dream of a creative arts hub in downtown Milwaukee came true with the opening of Nō Studios, which his sister runs.
Ridley lives with his wife Gayle and has two children.
