Special Session Bill - Unemployment Assistance
On Tuesday, the Wisconsin State Assembly unanimously passed January 2021 Special Session Senate Bill 1 as amended to address urgent issues related to the state’s unemployment insurance (UI) system. This legislation is aimed at helping Wisconsinites get the support they need during the COVID-19 pandemic during a time of unprecedented unemployment rates. This bill was signed into law by Governor Evers on February 25th.
Read my full statement on this legislation HERE.
Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance Program (WERA)
The State of Wisconsin has created the Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance Program (WERA), administered by the Department of Administration (DOA), Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources (DEHCR).
DOA has partnered with Wisconsin Community Action agencies and Energy Service Inc. to accept applications from residents around the state. Residents in Brown, Dane, Milwaukee, and Waukesha counties and in the cities of Madison and Milwaukee should apply directly with their rental assistance provider.
For more information, visit the WERA webpage HERE
Assembly Committee on Small Business Development Hearing
The Assembly Committee on Small Business Development met for the first time this session on Thursday. I serve as the ranking Democrat on the committee, and work alongside my esteemed democratic colleagues Rep. Haywood, Rep. Hong, Rep. Andraca, and Rep. Baldeh. This was a public hearing on a proposed rule related to cosmetology. The next hearing is an informational hearing March 11th on how small businesses have been affected by the global pandemic. If you’re a small business with a story, as always, email me at Rep.Vining@legis.wisconsin.gov.
Forward Wisconsin - Budget Action
Wisconsinites need a budget that puts people first. Forward Wisconsin will allow Wisconsinites to engage in the budget process, by attending virtual meetings on various areas covered in the budget. Normally, during the budget process, we are able to have public hearings. This year, Forward Wisconsin will hold meetings to allow the public to be engaged in the budget in a safe manner, and also hear from experts in many issue areas. We must amplify the voices of Wisconsinites to build a state that works for workers and families!
For more information, go to www.forwardwisc.com.
COVID-19 Vaccine Update
As of February 25th, 1,281,901 COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered in Wisconsin, making up 14.5% of Wisconsin residents.
Wisconsin is starting phase 1B of the COVID-19 vaccination plan after successfully vaccinating 50% of all Wisconsinites aged 65 and up.
Starting on Monday March 1st, education and child care professionals, individuals enrolled in Medicaid Long-Term Care programs, public facing essential workers, non-frontline health care workers, and individuals living in congregate settings will become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Educators will be prioritized among others in this group in efforts to safely conduct school in person.
For more information about what groups are eligible in phase 1B, visit the DHS website HERE.
For more information about where you can get a vaccine, visit the DHS website HERE.
For more information about where to get vaccinated in Waukesha County, visit their website HERE.
For more information about where to get vaccinated in the city of Wauwatosa, visit their website HERE.
For more information about where to get vaccinated in the city of Milwaukee, visit their website HERE.
Wisconsin FoodShare - College Students Temporarily Eligible
The COVID-19 relief bill passed by Congress in December expanded eligibility for the FoodShare program. Wisconsin college students who are enrolled in higher education at least half time can now participate in FoodShare and receive assistance to purchase groceries for the remainder of the federal public health emergency.
Read the full announcement HERE for more information.
Federal Update
This week, the White House announced changes to the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). As of yesterday, PPP applications will only be accepted from businesses with less than 20 employees. This restriction will last 2 weeks. Additionally, PPP is now available to all U.S. residents (including non-citizens), individuals who were previously incarcerated (unless they were convicted of fraud), and those who are delinquent or behind on student loans.
The White House also announced that the federal government is working to increase vaccine supply, number of vaccinators, and vaccination locations. In the past month, they have increased vaccine supply by 70%. The pending approval of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will increase the supply even further. To increase vaccination locations, they have invested $3.6 billion to create more community vaccination centers nationwide. In addition, next month they will be sending out 30 million masks to healthcare facilities and food pantries around the nation.
Rare Disease Advocacy Day
On Thursday, I spoke at the Wisconsin Rare Disease Advocacy Day about healthcare, legislative action related to the rare disease community, and how to engage with legislators on a topic. I am thankful to the group for the opportunity to speak with them!
COVID-19 Case Update
For daily updated information on COVID-19 in Wisconsin, visit the DHS website HERE.
Statewide
562,807 confirmed cases (increase of 656)
11.93% of total tests are positive, by person (for 2/26/2021)
26,013 hospitalizations (4.6% of cases- increase of 59)
548,040 recovered cases (97% of all cases)
2,620,297 negative test results (increase of 4,842)
6,399 devastating deaths (increase of 5)
0 patients at Alternate Care Facility at State Fair Park (now closed)
14th District Counties
Milwaukee - 98,073 confirmed cases (increase of 97)
Waukesha - 40,534 confirmed cases (increase of 30)
*Changes over day prior
