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Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Today, the State Assembly passed Assembly Bill 1038 (AB 1038) which addressed Wisconsin’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.  It is the first step to getting help to Wisconsinites during our public health crisis. As the situation with COVID-19 evolves rapidly, we can and must be responsive to unforeseen challenges and needs in our communities.

We must continue to put health and safety first as we work to keep our communities strong, preserve our democracy, and support our businesses. The legislation passed today, most notably eliminated the one week waiting period for Unemployment Insurance thus securing additional federal resources to help those struggling to make ends meet, and takes positive steps toward meeting our state’s needs.  More work remains to fully address this crisis and its impact on our families, our communities, and our economy.

Assembly Democrats offered amendments that would have gone further in achieving those goals by providing additional resources for first responders, ensuring healthcare coverage of COVID-19 treatment, expanding support to impacted individuals and small businesses, and making changes to how our elections are administered for the remainder of this year. While these amendments did not pass, I remain committed to building on the legislation that did pass today.

It is clear that a short-term fix is not the answer the people of Wisconsin need. I recognize that the bipartisan legislation we passed today represents a well-needed and significant positive step forward, so let us move forward together and continue to address the needs of the people we represent and do all that we can to act in their best interests during this time of unprecedented challenges.

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

 


In This Weeks Update:

The First 30 Days


What to Expect from the UI Application Process


Safer at Home is Working


Roadways Remain Open to Travelers


 


Trusted COVID-19 Resources


Contact Me:

109 North, State Capitol

P.O. Box 8953

Madison, WI 53708

Phone: (608) 266-7521

Toll-Free: (888) 534-0078

Fax: (608) 282-3690

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The First 30 Days:
The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency in Wisconsin

This past Saturday marked 30 days since Governor Evers issued Executive Order #72, which declared a statewide public health emergency and designated DHS as the lead agency to respond to this emergency. Since March 12, Governor Evers and DHS Secretary-designee Andrea Palm issued a total of 24 emergency orders, closing schools and businesses, suspending administrative rules, and directing state agencies to take certain actions, among other things.  

This report by the Legislative Reference Bureau summarizes the executive and emergency orders issued during the first 30 days of the COVID-19 public health emergency, as well as their effects on state agencies and local government. It also describes—and explains the differences between—the statutory powers granted to the governor and the DHS secretary during a public health emergency and during an outbreak of a communicable disease.

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DWDlogo.pngWhat to Expect from the Unemployment Insurance Application Process

One of the most common questions coming into my office lately surround the unemployment application process, so I thought it might be useful to describe the steps involved in obtaining UI benefits and to provide typical timeframes for this process so you know what to expect.

First, applicants apply by making an "initial claim," and most people complete this online, but applying by phone is also an option. It is not unusual that when someone applies online that they may need to follow up with our staff to verify some information. If that occurs for you, you will receive a call from UI staff within five business days.

After your initial claim, the first week of eligibility is known as the "waiting week." A bill working its way through the legislature that I mentioned earlier in the newsletter will suspend the "waiting week" during this health emergency. However, until Governor Evers signs this bill into law, an eligible claimant will not receive a benefit. After the waiting week passes, a claimant will file their first "weekly claim." Payments are typically sent out within a few days of that first weekly claim. The vast majority of payments are made by direct deposit, with the remainder by issuing reloadable debit cards.  Should the pending legislation become law, claimants would be eligible for back benefits from the "waiting week."

If someone's application is lacking important information or if there is something that needs to be investigated, that can add several days or more to the process, depending on how quickly that information is obtained.

If you find you are having difficulty navigating this process, please contact my office and we will help you however we can with DWD so you start recieving your benefits.

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Safer At Home is Working

People across the state of Wisconsin have risen to the challenge of COVID-19 by changing the way they work, play, and interact with friends and family. By staying Safer at Home, practicing physical distancing, and continuing to wash hands and cover coughs, Wisconsinites are making a difference and beginning to flatten the curve.

According to the model created by DHS, Wisconsin was projected to have 22,000 infections by April 8, which would have ultimately resulted in somewhere between 440 and 1,500 deaths. These numbers were based on projected significant exponential growth in positive cases; however, since the Safer at Home order, there has been a decrease in exponential growth in the number of cases. Wisconsin’s rate of doubling of infections was 3.4 days in early March and, over the past two weeks, the rate of doubling is now approximately 12 days.

By staying Safer at Home, the people of Wisconsin are taking the steps needed to make a difference during this pandemic. Safer at Home is working, and it is saving lives.

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DOT.jpgRoadways Remain Open to Travelers 

To help dispel rumors, officials with the Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) and Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) want to clarify that state roadways and borders remain open to in-state and out-of-state travelers.

Under Governor Tony Evers’ Safer at Home order, motorists are asked to avoid “non-essential” travel throughout the public emergency period. State Patrol and county sheriff’s departments continue to enforce traffic laws as usual, but are not pulling over vehicles with out-of-state plates or other motorists just to ask about the purpose of their trip.

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TRUSTED COVID-19 LINKS:

Department of Health Services COVID-19 Site

Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 Information

Governor Evers's COVID-19 Information Hub

US Department of State Travel Advisories

Dept. of Workforce Development COVID-19 FAQs

World Health Organization (WHO) Corona Virus Info

How to Apply for Unemployment in Wisconsin if You get Laid Off because of Coronavirus

NYT Map of Confirmed Corona Virus Cases

Public Health Dane County & City of Madison

County & Tribal Health Officials

 

|  | Rep Subeck's Website 

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