Legislative Update
Battle to Preserve The Mask Mandate
On Thursday, the Assembly met and passed Senate Joint Resolution 3 (SJR 3) repealing the state-wide mask mandate, with 52 Republicans in support and 42 Democrats and Republicans in opposition. I spoke on the floor in opposition to this resolution. Read my full statement on the passage of SJR 3 HERE.
Shortly after the Assembly passed this resolution, Governor Evers issued a new public health order mandating masks statewide. See the new public health order HERE.
A New Mask Mandate Bill
Today, my Democratic colleagues and I introduced LRB-1809 which would mandate masks statewide as long as COVID-19 is a national public health emergency. Yesterday we introduced this bill as an amendment to SJR 3, but it was shot down unanimously by Republicans. Read my full statement on LRB-1809 HERE.
COVID-19 Relief Delayed by Republicans
Yesterday the Speaker of the Assembly chose to cast aside the bipartisan bill passed by the Senate, a bill the Governor had said he’d sign, and Democrats in the Assembly were ready to join Republicans in voting for. Instead Speaker Vos put an amended version of Assembly Bill 1 on the floor for a vote, a version the Governor had said he’d likely veto, and lost support of all Democrats in the Assembly, and the Governor. This morning the state Senate called an “extraordinary session”, and passed the same bill, also without Democratic support. Governor Evers vetoed the bill this afternoon.
I am very disappointed in the action taken by the Speaker. Now is not the time to cast bipartisan compromise aside, but rather a time we need to check all egos at the door and seek common ground for the common good. We had a COVID-19 relief bill that had support across both parties, in both houses, and that bill was cast aside by the Speaker. And now, relief is delayed. Read my full statement HERE.
PPP
We have received questions regarding how PPP money will be taxed for the 2020 tax year. As a small business owner myself, I understand the surprise many expressed, and I am watching the issue closely. As of the writing of this email, PPP has been attached to the tax bill working its way through the legislature, passing the Senate committee yesterday. If the bill were to pass as-is right now, PPP would not be taxed for income, and would allow for deductions. The next stop for the bill is the Joint Finance committee next week. We will keep you posted.
Furthermore, I co-authored the Main Street Recovery Package last week. One of those bills seeks to lower the tax burden on We’re All In grants. I am hopeful this package will also pass soon.
COVID-19 Vaccine Update
Waukesha County Public Health announced this week that they will open a community vaccination clinic on February 8th at the Waukesha County Expo Center. Waukesha County’s Community Clinic will initially focus on vaccinating 1A individuals such as healthcare workers and emergency responders, and certain members of the Phase 1B group as identified by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Individuals that fall in those categories will be invited to register and schedule an appointment. If you are 65 or older, you should continue to work with your healthcare provider to receive the vaccine.
More information can be found on the Waukesha County website HERE.
In addition, the City of Milwaukee now has a website where individuals who are eligible can sign up to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Sign up HERE.
For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine in Wisconsin, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website HERE.
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
It’s Black History Month and here is a handy reference for events hosted by the Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus. Also, once the virtual event has concluded, you can always watch the recording!
For more information, visit the Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus Facebook page HERE.
People's Maps Commission
On February 11th, the People’s Maps Commission will hold a virtual public hearing from 5:30-8:45 p.m. to seek public input on the upcoming redistricting of legislative maps from constituents of Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District.
The hearing is the Commission’s sixth in a series of at least eight meetings, one for each one of Wisconsin’s eight congressional districts. The virtual public hearing will include testimony from subject matter experts and also provide Wisconsinites the opportunity to express how they have been affected by legislative redistricting and share their ideas for how Wisconsin can work together to achieve fair maps.
For more information and register for the hearing, visit the PMC website HERE.
COVID-19 Update
In recent weeks, new daily COVID-19 cases have decreased. To continue this trend, we must continue to follow public health guidance by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, washing our hands, and staying at home whenever possible.
For daily updated information on COVID-19 in Wisconsin, visit the DHS website HERE.
Statewide
548,221 confirmed cases (increase of 1,266)
22.1% of total tests are positive, by person (for 2/5/2021)
24,734 hospitalizations (4.5% of cases- increase of 100)
526,004 recovered cases (96% of all cases)
2,527,562 negative test results (increase of 4,460)
6,020 devastating deaths (increase of 28)
0 patients at Alternate Care Facility at State Fair Park
14th District Counties
Milwaukee - 95,879 confirmed cases
Waukesha - 39,510 confirmed cases
*Changes over day prior
