COVID-19 Update - Friday, March 20th

In order to support your families being able to take a deep breath, turn away from constant news updates, and create a new temporary normal, my office will continue sending a daily COVID-19 update and will post online on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram next week. We won't send any updates or alerts over the weekend unless there is something urgent. We will monitor news throughout the weekend and will be back with alerts on Monday.

It is my hope that one reliable update each day will allow you to take a deep breath, oversee all that is happening in your own life and home, and have a reliable source of news you can count on to be up to date and accurate.

My greatest concerns right now are your lives and livelihoods. We are working hard to keep you and your loved ones safe, and to fight for our small businesses in an unprecedented crisis.

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Past email updates: March 18th, March 19th

CURRENT CASES

Statewide:

206 confirmed cases

3455 negative test results

3 devastating deaths

14th District Counties:

Milwaukee - 85 confirmed cases
Waukesha - 15 confirmed cases

Today, I am grieving the losses of Wisconsinites.

DISASTER DISTRESS HELPLINE

While it is important to stay informed with the latest news regarding COVID-19, it can also cause a lot of fear, stress, and anxiety. If you need to talk, support is available: call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746.

STATE AGENCY UPDATES:

Department of Health Services

Governor Evers said today that a "shelter in place" order is NOT being considered at this time.

Governor Evers and DHS issued Emergency Order #8 which provides clarifications and specifications on the 10 person gathering limit order and a list of exemptions.

See the full order here.

DHS and Governor Evers announced Wisconsin received the following personal protective equipment from the federal stockpile: 54,709 N95 respirators, 130,326 surgical masks, 24,816 face shields, 20,233 surgical gowns, 104 coveralls and 72,044 gloves. This equipment is being distributing to health care providers in areas with known community spread of COVID-19.

Department of Children & Families

For updated guidance for Child Care facilities from DCF and resources, visit their website here.

Department of Agriculture, Trade, & Consumer Protection

DATCP is working to address complaints regarding telemarketing scams and price gouging during this public health emergency. Read their press release on the topic here.

Please contact their Consumer Protection Hotline via email at DATCPHotline@wisconsin.gov or visit their website if you have a complaint.

DATCP has guidance on refunds for event ticket sales- read their press release here for more information.

For other information related to DATCP and COVID-19, visit their website here.

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

The US Small Business Administration (SBA) will be providing disaster assistance loans to businesses who suffer substantial economic injury due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

Governor Evers submitted the request to SBA on Tuesday, March 18th to be able to qualify for these loans.

Wisconsin is anticipated to be approved soon- the next step is for small businesses to be prepared when they fill out their loan applications. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is setting up an online application portal and we will update the public with that link as soon as it becomes available.

You can get started right now with the forms you’ll need when the portal opens:

Tax Information Authorization (IRS Form 4506T) for the applicant, principals and affiliates.
Complete copies of the most recent Federal Income Tax Return.
Schedule of Liabilities (SBA Form 2202).
Personal Financial Statement (SBA Form 413).
Profit and loss statements
Monthly sales figures (SBA Form 1368)

Any questions about this process can be directed to WEDC here.

For more information about the SBA disaster assistance, visit the SBA website.

Additionally, WEDC is creating a $5 million grant program for targeted small businesses. "Small Business 20/20" will provide up to $20,000 to targeted businesses with no more than 20 employees to cover rent and payroll. "Small Business 20/20" will be offered through Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). Full WEDC announcement here.

More information about the SB 20/20 program to aid small businesses through CDFIs can be found here. Note: applications will be processed through the CDFIs and not WEDC. This grant program only applies to businesses that currently have loans through CDFIs - WEDC is working on implementing other programs and strategies for businesses that do not currently have loans through CDFIs or WEDC. Contact WEDC about other loan or grant opportunities.

More resources and information for business owners affected by COVID-19 can be found on the WEDC website here.

Strategies for small businesses navigating COVID-19 can be found here.

Department of Administration

The Department of Administration oversees all the state agency employees- they have implemented social distancing standards for essential staff and staff that cannot telecommute, and have made telecommuting for as many staff as possible.

Emergency responders and health care workers that need to request personal protective equipment (PPEs) - please contact your county's Emergency Management Director. Emergency Management directory can be found here.

This is the best and most efficient way to report these requests and make sure the request moves up to the Emergency Operations Center network. As mentioned above under the Department of Health Services update, a request has been made for more PPE equipment from the federal government.

FEDERAL TAX DAY POSTPONED

The U.S. Treasury Secretary announced today that the federal tax day will be postponed from April 15th to July 15th. All taxpayers and businesses will have the additional time to file their federal taxes as well as make payments without interest or penalties. HOWEVER, state law does not give the Wisconsin Department of Revenue the authority to extend the deadline for payment of state taxes. If you expect to owe Wisconsin taxes, you should plan to file and pay them by April 15.

ONE WISCONSIN
On a personal note, I want to assure you we are doing everything we can with the information and power that we have while working through an unprecedented pandemic that has facts and advice changing seemingly constantly. I will continue monitoring this crisis, and I will not forget my call to service to the people of the 14th district. Part of my job is disseminating information, and we will keep you posted as news happens. And, we will also work to generate ideas for how to best respond. I understand this is both a challenging time, and for many-- a scary time. Please check on your neighbors, reach out to the elderly, if you need help and receive an offer for help, take confidence in accepting that help. Together, as one Wisconsin, we will walk through this moment, and may we remember one another, reach out, ask for help, offer help, and be the community to one another we were made to be. Now is the time to draw together as one Wisconsin.

My office is here. Please reach out with any questions. We will be at work. And once again, the safety and security of my constituents is my number one priority. Please rest at night knowing that.

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For daily updated information on COVID-19 in Wisconsin, visit the DHS website here.

Neighborhood Walk Photo 3-20-20.jpg BRIGHT SPOTS for CHILDREN (& maybe us too?)

Today is “funny face day”: that means you put a picture of funny faces in your front windows for children who walk by playing the game. Seen here is also a picture from “shamrock day”. Next up is March 23, “animals."

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Forward together,