20180621 SUBECK EmailBanner900x250-1.png

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope you are well as we head into this Mother's Day weekend.

This week's eUpdate brings you information on new resources that have been developed for businesses by several state agencies, how the Department of Transportation is planning to address its drivers license backlog, the new Department of Health Services metrics for Badger Bounce Back, and information on how to recieve help with Unemployment Insurance should you be having difficulties obtaining benefits.

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:

State Agencies Collaborate to
Develop COVID-19 Safety
Guidance for Businesses


WisDOT Pilot Programs Address
COVID-19 Drivers License Backlog


DHS Announces Hospital Metrics for Badger Bounce Back


Having Trouble with Unemployment Benefits?


 


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

  emailborderfull40by40.png facebookborderfull40by40.png twitterborderfull40by40.png  

State Agencies Collaborate to Develop COVID-19 Safety Guidance for Businesses

Gov. Tony Evers announced today that businesses looking to keep workers, customers, and families safe while “turning the dial” toward reopening can now draw on a series of publications to keep them informed of best practices and safety tips. The brochures include general guidelines for all businesses to follow as well as industry-specific advice, such as for restaurants, retailers, manufacturers, professional offices, farmers, manufacturers, builders, hotel and motel operators, barbers, personal care services and other fields.

The guides were developed by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) in consultation with the Departments of Health Services, Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and Tourism, as well as and industry experts and associations.

WEDC also has resources and information available for businessess affected by COVID-19 and information for essential businesses under the Safer at Home and Turn the Dial orders.

Additionally, I want to let you know that the Department of Workforce Development has updated Safety Works website.

Back to top

DOT.jpg

DOT Pilot Programs Address COVID-19 Drivers License Backlog

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) this week announced two pilot programs that will safely address a backlog of demand. The first will allow eligible persons with a Wisconsin driver license to be able to renew it online. The second will allow individuals under age 18, who successfully complete their required training and have the endorsement of a parent or guardian will be able to get their probationary driver license without completing a road test.

The pilot programs begin May 11. Each program eliminates the need for in-person visits to a DMV service center by enabling drivers to complete the tasks online. The pilots allow the public to get service more quickly while maintaining safety.

Online driver license renewal

Due to COVID-19, approximately 80,000 people whose driver license expired have received an extension to renew. Those extensions, with late fees waived, expire July 25, 2020. This pilot program allows many customers who have delayed visiting a DMV to renew their driver license quickly and easily online at wisconsindmv.gov/renewDL.

To be eligible for this program, drivers must meet all the following:

  • Must be a U.S. citizen with a regular (Class D) driver license (Commercial Driver Licenses do not qualify).
  • Must be 64 years of age or under.
  • No new medical restrictions.
  • Has not had a negative change to their vision since the last renewal.

Customers who renew online will receive a confirmation email they can print and use until their new card arrives by mail within 10 days. The $34 renewal fee remains the same. After the next normal renewal cycle of eight years, customers will need to visit a DMV for a new photo to complete the renewal.

Renewing online may not be an option for everyone. While the deadline for a REAL ID has been extended one year to October 1, 2021, customers wanting a driver license that is REAL ID-compliant will need to visit a DMV Customer Service Center. Without a REAL ID designation on a driver license or ID, travelers will need another form of identification, like a passport, for domestic air travel.

Road test waivers for 16- and 17-year-olds

DMV typically conducts approximately 2,100 road tests per week. Nearly 65 percent of these tests are for people under the age of 18, with 98 percent passing their road test on their first or second attempt. Wisconsin also has a Graduated Driver License (GDL) law that places strict expectations on drivers under 18. The GDL requirements have improved safety and will remain in place.

Beginning May 11, road tests may be waived for 16- and 17-year-olds who complete the required training and have their parent or guardian sign the road test waiver. The criteria these drivers must meet to be granted a probationary driver license in Wisconsin include:

  • They must hold an Instruction Permit (also known as a Learners Permit) violation free for at least six months prior to testing
  • They must have completed driver education classes
  • They have completed behind-the-wheel training with a licensed instructor
  • They have completed at least 30 hours of driving with their parent/sponsor and their sponsor signs the road test waiver

The restrictions of a probationary graduated driver license still apply for at least nine months.

Parents or guardians are vital to ensuring novice drivers are equipped to safely drive. The waiver is not mandatory. Parents who opt to have their young driver take a road test at a DMV may schedule that appointment online beginning May 8.

DMV estimates a backlog of 16,000 road test requests; 10,000 of those will be eligible for the road test waiver.

Road test appointments can be made online beginning, Friday, May 8. Testing, by appointment only, begins May 26. DMV stopped doing road tests in mid-March due to COVID-19. When road tests resume, examiners will apply a seat cover when entering the driver’s vehicle and wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including a face shield, to protect the driver and themselves. After the exam, novice drivers will order their license online from home and the card will be sent within 10 business days.

DMV customer service centers will have expanded hours May 11 to May 22, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The goal is to serve as many customers as possible who require an in-person visit while maintaining safe social distances in lobbies. Appointments are recommended.

These pilot programs are expected to continue through the 2020 calendar year.

Back to top

images.png

DHS Announces Hospital Metrics for Badger Bounce Back

On Tuesday the Department of Health Services along with the State Emergency Operations Center launched hospital gating criteria as part of the Badger Bounce Back Plan. The criteria, developed with input from  the Wisconsin Hospital Association and the Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative, sets hospital metrics to be able to move into Phase 1 of the Badger Bounce Back Plan.

Hospital gating criteria address both patient care and hospital staff health. The metrics set the following goals:

  • 95% of hospitals affirm that they can treat all patients without crisis care.
  • 95% of all hospitals affirm that they have arranged for testing for all symptomatic clinical staff treating patients at the hospital per CDC guidelines.
  • Downward trend of COVID-19 cases among health care workers calculated weekly.

Key to these metrics is the definition of “crisis care,” which is characterized by the Institute of Medicine as "extreme operating conditions.” To determine whether or not a hospital is operating with or without “crisis care,” the following questions will be monitored daily:

  • Is the facility damaged/unsafe, or are non-patient care areas are being used by the facility for patient care?
  • Are trained staff unavailable or unable to adequately care for the volume of patients even with extension techniques?
  • Are critical supplies lacking, resulting in reallocation of life-sustaining resources and/or other extreme operating conditions?

An affirmative answer to all three of these questions for three or more consecutive days will indicate that a hospital is operating under that provision of crisis care.

The metrics concerning testing of hospital staff will be monitored weekly by affirming the following statement:

  • For the past week, the hospital has arranged for testing all symptomatic clinical staff treating patients at the hospital, per CDC guidelines.

Data from the Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System (WEDSS) will be used to determine the weekly trend of COVID-19 cases among health care workers.


 

Back to top

DWDlogo.png

Having Trouble Receiving Unemployment Benefits? 

If it has been at least three weeks since you submitted your application and you have not received your benefits, my office may be able to help you.

If you are experiencing a different issue with your application, please email Rep.Subeck@legis.wi.gov with the following information: 

  • Full name 
  • Phone number
  • Address
  • Issue that needs to be resolved 
  • Status of your application
    • Did you apply online?
    • What date did you submit it?

My staff will send this information to DWD and request that they promptly look into your case. I understand that this is a difficult financial time for many, and I am committed to helping you receive your benefits in a timely manner.

 

 

Back to top


TRUSTED COVID-19 RESOURCES:

Department of Health Services COVID-19 Site

CDC 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 Corona Virus Info

Childcare Resources for Essential Workers

WHA COVID-19 Situational Awareness Update

 

Public Health Dane County & City of Madison

County & Tribal Health Officials

 

|  | Rep Subeck's Website 

  facebookborderfull30by30.png twitterborderfull30by30.png  
Back to top