Wisconsin Legislative Democrats Introduce Compromise AB 1 Provisions
This week, Wisconsin Legislative Democrats introduced the provisions in the compromise version of Assembly Bill 1 as standalone bills. These 22 bills address issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic including: removing barriers to unemployment benefits, support for childcare providers, eliminating cost sharing for COVID-19 testing and vaccination, increasing prescription drug limits, coverage of vaccinations under SeniorCare, Medical Assistance payments to hospitals during the pandemic, among others.
Read my full statement on this bill package HERE.
Governor Evers' Proposed 2021-2023 State Budget
Next week on Tuesday February 16th at 7 p.m. Governor Evers will give his budget address. Throughout the week, Governor Evers has been sharing “teasers” of what he will discuss next week. Governor Evers has announced that these proposals will be included in his proposed budget:
As the ranking member of the Assembly Committee on Mental Health, a member of the Committee on Children & Families, and Health, and a mother - I am encouraged by Governor Evers’ proposed investments in children’s mental health. This issue is one of my priorities this session, with COVID-19 exacerbating the hardships and stress children already face. I also recognize the importance of investing in childcare, as facilities and families navigate the pandemic.
As we head into this next budget cycle, please share your thoughts with me about the state budget at Rep.Vining@legis.wisconsin.gov.
Important Joint Finance Committee Update -
School Funding
On January 26th, the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) submitted a plan for the additional federal dollars Wisconsin will receive under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.
DPI’s plan would have allocated 10% of these funds to ensure each Wisconsin school district receives at least $100,000 and ensured a minimum of $395 per pupil aid. Democrats on the Joint Finance Committee supported this plan.
Under this plan, Elmbrook School District was set to receive $2,895,350 total (including Title I) and Wauwatosa School District was set to receive $2,770,530 total (including Title I).
On February 10th, Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee rejected this plan, deleting the per pupil aid portion and instead allocated the $65,537,642 to schools who are providing in-person instruction.
Under their motion, the allocation of the in-person incentive would be determined based on each district’s relative share of in-person instructional hours in the 2020-21 school year. That means this motion is retroactive to the beginning of the school year.
Large school districts like Milwaukee and Madison will not be affected due to their large headcounts and allocation under Title I, which the State cannot change.
Smaller school districts, like those in the suburbs, will be negatively affected due to their smaller Title I allocation and that DPI was using the $395 minimum per pupil aid to boost dollars to those districts.
We will continue to share updates and information regarding this action as it becomes available.
REMINDER - Open Enrollment - Healthcare.gov
There is now another opportunity to sign up for healthcare through healthcare.gov if you missed either the original enrollment deadline or your first payment for your enrolled plan. People who are already enrolled also have another chance to review their plan to make sure it still meets their coverage needs. Go to healthcare.gov for more information.
Black History Month Events
Next week, the Wisconsin Legislature Black Caucus’ Black History Month events will focus on health and mental health.
- Mon. Feb. 15, 1-3 p.m. - COVID-19 Town Hall, Register HERE.
- Weds. Feb. 17, 1-3 p.m. - Mental Health Roundtable, Register HERE.
- Fri. Feb. 19, 12-1 p.m. - Rebalanced-Life Wellness Association, Register HERE.
For more information, visit the Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus Facebook page HERE.
COVID-19 Vaccine Update
This week, the Department of Health Services announced that more than 1 in 3 Wisconsinites over the age of 65 have received the COVID-19 vaccination. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel recently reported that Wisconsin has moved to the top of the nation in daily COVID-19 vaccinations. As of February 11th, Wisconsin has administered 901,333 COVID-19 vaccinations. In addition, DHS will be opening the first community vaccination site in Rock County next week.
The Federal Retail Pharmacy Program launched this week, which is a collaborative effort between federal and state officials that will provide free COVID-19 vaccinations at participating pharmacies. The first shipment includes 17,800 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, which will be shipped to 178 Walgreens locations, intended to serve underserved communities.
For more information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the DHS website HERE.
DHS recently updated their data metrics on this website to help give a comprehensive view of COVID-19 vaccine administration in Wisconsin. It consolidates previous visualizations regarding vaccine series completion and administration data by sex and age and also adds new metrics, including vaccines administered by race and ethnicity, and vaccine administration and coverage by both county and healthcare emergency readiness coalition (HERC) region.
COVID-19 Case Update
For daily updated information on COVID-19 in Wisconsin, visit the DHS website HERE.
Statewide
554,048 confirmed cases (increase of 938)
16.9% of total tests are positive, by person (for 2/12/2021)
25,197 hospitalizations (4.5% of cases- increase of 55)
535,627 recovered cases (97% of all cases)
2,557,088 negative test results (increase of 4,607)
6,151 devastating deaths (increase of 11)
0 patients at Alternate Care Facility at State Fair Park
14th District Counties
Milwaukee - 96,811 confirmed cases (increase of 146)
Waukesha - 39,920 confirmed cases (increase of 88)
*Changes over day prior
