This week, the investigation into irregularities during the 2020 general election continued. From day one, I have said that the goal of this investigation is transparency. I want all Wisconsinites to know that their vote counted.
So far, the investigation has sought further detail into the following:
Ballot harvesting
A spike in voters identifying as "indefinitely confined"
An abnormal relationship between the City of Green Bay and the Center for Tech and Civic Life
Potential Software Issues
Improper Guidance from the Wisconsin Election Commission
It is my goal that the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections will meet soon to hear firsthand from experts about these issues.
Importance of Contact Tracing
Once someone tests positive for COVID-19, it is essential that the people they have had contact with are identified in order to help prevent further spread of the virus. Studies have shown, that many people are not willing to contact those that they physically contacted immediately prior to testing positive.
Gov. Evers’ Department of Health Services is responsible to contact all individuals that have tested positive and require them to contact those they have put at risk. However, his staff has not succeeded. That is why I have supported increasing Wisconsin’s contact tracers to at least a level that they can contact those that have tested positive.
The contact tracers will call you to ask you the following questions:
Your name
Your address
Your phone
Your email
Your gender
Your race/ethnicity
Whether you have any symptoms
It is important to note that during contact tracing, the health department staff will never ask you for:
Money
Social Security number
Bank account information
Salary information
Credit card numbers
New COVID-19 Legislation
This week, my colleagues and I worked on a package of initiatives to help the state address the current public health crisis. The legislation gives the state more tools to fight the spread of the coronavirus and help struggling families across Wisconsin. The legislative package builds off of Governor Evers’ most recent proposals, provides emergency funding, and creates a road map for the state to move through the pandemic.
The Assembly Republican GOP package includes the following:
Create a $100 million fund to respond to the public health emergency
Double the number of local public health staff working on the COVID-19 response
Offer weekly rapid antigen tests for home use
Continue the prohibition of co-payments for any COVID-19 tests
Establish legislative oversight of vaccine distribution plan
Provide guidelines for state employees to return to work
Reauthorize state employee transfers
Establish limited liability for schools, businesses and local governments
Allow for an essential family member/caregiver to visit a loved one in nursing homes in specific circumstances
Re-establish personal electronic computing device grants for schools ($9 million)
Require teacher instruction from school buildings by end of January, providing exceptions
Require school board approval of virtual instruction by two-thirds vote of the board
Provide payments to parents of $371 (half of the per pupil aid increase for the year) for students who have had at least 50% virtual instruction since September
Allow health service providers from other states to practice in Wisconsin
Require UW System to provide credit to students who assist in the COVID-19 response
Create business grants for the hospitality industry
Require the Department of Workforce Development to eliminate the backlog of unemployment insurance claims
I am optimistic about this package and look forward to working with my legislative colleagues and Governor Evers on bipartisan solutions that the state deserves in this crisis.
Brillion Welcomes New City Administrator
Recently, Mr. Peter Wills was hired as Brillion's new city administrator and community development director.
Wills was executive director of Progress Lakeshore, an economic development group for Manitowoc County, from 2014 until his hire in Brillion. With Progress Lakeshore, Wills helped bring more than 1,200 jobs and $200 million in projects.
I wish Peter Wills all the best as he begins his new roles with the City of Brillion!
