Forward Fridays: March 12th, 2021

Welcome to my latest e-update. Here is a summary from the past week as your State Representative.

COVID-19 Vaccine Update

This week, the Department of Health Services (DHS) announced that people aged 16 and older with certain medical conditions will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine beginning March 29th. Providers may prioritize individuals within this group who are at higher risk.

These include individuals with severe medical conditions, those with two or more conditions, older adults, or those living in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. In addition, Governor Evers said today that all Wisconsin adults will be eligible starting May 1st.

Individuals aged 65+, healthcare workers, police and fire personnel, education and child care professionals, staff and residents of long-term care and skilled nursing facilities, public facing essential workers, and individuals living or working in congregate settings are currently eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Restaurant workers are also eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

As of March 12th, 1,895,402 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Wisconsin and 20.4% of Wisconsin residents have received their first dose and 11.5% have completed their series.

For more information about what groups are eligible, 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.

American Rescue Plan

Yesterday President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law. This legislation will help Americans in many ways, including:

Providing most Americans with a stimulus check
Cutting childhood poverty in half
Expanding the child tax credit up to $3,600 per child
Extending the $300 weekly added unemployment benefit through August
Allocating $130 billion to help fully reopen schools and colleges
Assisting small businesses, with an investment of $50 billion
Devoting $160 billion for vaccine rollout and development
Providing $350 billion to state and local governments
Dedicating $30 billion to help renters and landlords with economic losses

Stay tuned for more information about how the funding will be allocated specifically for Wisconsin and our communities.

State Budget Updates

Governor's Budget Listening Sessions

Governor Evers recently announced that he will host six virtual Badger Bounceback live sessions. This will allow Wisconsinites to discuss, provide feedback, and share personal experiences as it relates to Governor Evers’ proposed 2021-2023 Biennial Budget. These meetings will take place on Thursdays at 6 p.m. starting next week.

March 18th - Economic Recovery & Opportunity, register HERE.
March 25th - Accessible & Affordable Healthcare, register HERE.
March 30th - Transportation & Infrastructure, register HERE.
April 8th - What’s Best for Our Kids, register HERE.
April 14th - Justice Reform & Marijuana Legalization, register HERE.
April 21st - Climate Change & Our Environment, register HERE.

Joint Finance Committee Budget Hearings

The Joint Finance Committee announced three in-person public hearings and one virtual public hearing related to the State Budget today.

The public hearing schedule is:

Friday, April 9, 2021 UW-Whitewater, Whitewater, WI
Wednesday, April 21, 2021 The Hodag Dome, Rhinelander, WI
Thursday, April 22, 2021 UW-Stout, Menomonie, WI
Wednesday, April 28, 2021 Virtual

In-person public hearings will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 5 p.m. Attendees will be asked to fill out a form upon arrival to be added to the queue to testify.

Pre-registration will be required for the virtual hearing. The registration process and details are in development and will be released as soon as possible via the JFC website, which is also a portal for constituents to provide input HERE.

The JFC has also developed a dedicated email address for input only: budget.comments@legis.wisconsin.gov.

Forward Wisconsin Budget Meetings

Thank you to the constituents who attended the first two Forward Wisconsin meetings! If you would like to learn more about the budget and get involved, I encourage you to attend the remaining meetings, which take place on Wednesday nights at 7 p.m.!

March 17th - Climate, Environment & Equal Rights, register HERE.
March 24th - Healthcare*, register HERE.
March 31th - Economy & Infrastructure, registration link coming soon.

*indicates that I will be speaking at the event.

Committee Updates

Assembly Committee on Health

This week the Assembly Committee on Health, of which I am a member, held a public hearing on Tuesday and an executive session on Wednesday. We passed the following three bills unanimously and they will now go to the Assembly.

Assembly Bill 124 - Allows dentists to administer COVID-19 and flu vaccines after training.
Assembly Bill 125 - Updates the regulation of Physician’s Assistants.
Assembly Bill 148 - Allows healthcare providers from other states to practice in Wisconsin and updates the Medical Assistance program.

Committee on Small Business Development

On Thursday, the Assembly Committee on Small Business Development, of which I am the ranking member, held an informational hearing. We heard from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, small business owners across the state, Wisconsin Dairy Business Association, and the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.

State Fair Board Meeting - Marketing Committee

Yesterday I attended my first marketing committee meeting for the State Fair Board. I am excited for this opportunity and am looking forward to future meetings!

Wisconsin Equal Rights Amendment Introduction

On Monday, Sen. LaTonya Johnson, Sen. Jon Erpenbach, Rep. Sara Rodriguez, Rep. Jodi Emerson, Rep. Lisa Subeck, Rep. Tip McGuire, Rep. Lee Snodgrass, and Rep. Dora Drake announced the introduction of an Equal Rights Amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution.

Read my full statement in support of this legislation HERE.

Economic Justice Bill of Rights

I believe in casting vision, and in continuing to paint the picture of the world we wish to live in, so I am energized by the leadership of freshmen legislators Rep. Hong and Rep. Shelton, to put forth a Economic Justice Bill of Rights resolution.

This past year has been difficult for Wisconsinites in many ways. The pandemic has highlighted the inequalities in our state and country. In response, we have taken bold action declaring that every Wisconsinite should be able to live their life without sacrificing basic needs. I am a co-sponsor of LRB-2290/1 or the Wisconsin Economic Justice Bill of Rights resolution because I believe that every person of Wisconsin urban, suburban, or rural; white, African American, APIDA, Latinx, or Native, LGTBTQ+, and people of all ability statuses are entitled to these rights.

When I came in as a freshman legislator I began using the charge, “Forward Together”, and I did that because I believe that if we do not move forward together, we have not moved forward at all. This bill of rights ensures every Wisconsinite of basic human rights, moving Wisconsin Forward Together.

Mask Artwork

It’s been a very difficult year and as we reach the anniversary of the pandemic, I’ve been bringing cheer to my days by wearing artwork made by the children of our district, and will continue to do so through the conclusion of the pandemic. I know our children to be brave, and kids— what you’ve endured this last year is nothing short of extraordinary, and we love you so much.

On Wednesday I wore a mask made by Ella In Brookfield, who created this through her Burleigh art project. I wore it today for three votes in the committee on Health— bills related to vaccinations by dentists, Physician Assistants, and a third COVID-related bill. All three bills passed through committee unanimously, and I’ll see whose artwork I’m wearing when I vote on those very bills on the floor of the Wisconsin State Assembly.

If you have a young artist, or mask, or face shield artisan/maker, or a decorated clipboard for when I give speeches, or a lapel pin, or if you have a 4th grader particularly disappointed student trips aren’t happening right now, please let me know. I’ll “take you with me” to the Capitol!

Children of Wisconsin: we love you and we are so, so proud of you. I hope you are proud of yourselves. And I will do everything I can to help you endure through the end of the pandemic. We are in this together.

Today is Working Moms Day

Today is Working Moms Day! A Wauwatosa mom started the group Working Moms of Milwaukee in 2017. They declared March 12th as Working Moms Day to celebrate the efforts of working moms, and as of last year this day is celebrated statewide thanks to a proclamation from Gov. Evers. As a mom, a small business owner, and your State Representative, I appreciate the recognition for working moms and the efforts of working moms in my community to support each other.

This year, I have extra appreciation for working moms, as COVID-19 has made it difficult for many mothers. We must work to support working moms and their children! I am encouraged by the passage of the federal American Rescue Plan which supports working moms by providing financial support for childcare, food, rent, healthcare, and more. This will allow many women to go back to work who could not afford childcare otherwise.

DWD Begins Issuing PEUC Extension Payments

On Friday, March 5th, the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) started making payments to individuals waiting for Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC). DWD had been implementing changes to the program and other programs through their antiquated computer system since December. In December, the federal Continued Assistance Act was passed which extended PEUC benefits for an additional 11 weeks of assistance to those who qualify.

Read the full announcement HERE.