Past email updates: March 18th, March 19th, March 20th, March 23rd, March 24th, March 25th
CURRENT COVID-19 CASES
Statewide*
842 confirmed cases
13140 negative test results
13 devastating deaths
14th District Counties
Milwaukee - 411 confirmed cases
Waukesha - 61 confirmed cases
The Milwaukee Metro Area Ranks 6th Nationally for COVID-19 Case Rate. Read article HERE.
"Safer at Home" Order
Governor Evers and the Department of Health Services issued a "Safer at Home" order that went into effect this morning, Wednesday, March 25th at 8am and remains in effect until Friday, April 24th at 8am. It was explained this week that the time period was chosen because the disease cycle is about 14 days, so delayed results and 2 disease cycles should give us a sense for if the "Safer at Home" order is working.
Click HERE for an FAQ on the "Safer at Home" order
Governor Evers' Emergency Orders
Statewide Suspension of Evictions & Foreclosures
Today, Governor Evers and Department of Health Services Secretary-Designee Palm issued an emergency order to suspend evictions and foreclosures for the next 60 days. Read the full order HERE. Note: rent is not suspended or waived at this time.
Minor Work Permits
Yesterday, Governor Evers and the Department of Workforce Development issued an emergency order stating child labor permits for minors who are 14 and 15 years old are not required during the public health emergency if certain requirements are fulfilled. Read the full order HERE.
Health Care Providers & Credentialing
Governor Evers issued an order today related to health care providers and license credentialing. The order simplifies healthcare license renewals during the COVID-19 public health emergency and encourages recently retired professionals with expired licenses to re-enter practice. It provides an avenue for licensed out-of-state practitioners to practice in Wisconsin without first requiring an in-state credential. It also eliminates time limits for temporary licenses. The order also has provisions designed to enable nursing students close to graduation to be a part of the state’s COVID-19 response by adjusting some clinical education requirements. It suspends practice restrictions for advanced practice nurses, enabling them to more efficiently and effectively respond during the COVID-19 crisis. The order provides flexibility to physician assistants in order to meet the current unpredictable changes in emergency needs.
The order eliminates some late renewal fees for individuals whose licenses have lapsed and provides the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) with flexibility to eliminate other fees when needed.
Read the full order HERE.
Federal COVID-19 Legislation
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES), an estimated $2 trillion Federal stimulus package to battle the harmful effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, passed the U.S. Senate and House this week and President Trump signed it today. We will work to explain this next week. In the meantime, read a non-partisan summary of the Federal COVID-19 stimulus package HERE.
PPE Donations
Yesterday, Thursday, March 26th, Governor Evers announced an initiative designed to get more personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gowns, gloves and masks, to those working on the frontlines of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wisconsinites can now go to this website to either donate or sell large quantities of PPE to the State of Wisconsin. The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) will then work with distribute the PPE to communities that need it the most.
First responders and other non-medical organizations should communicate their PPE needs to their county or tribal emergency management office, which will then forward those requests to the SEOC for fulfillment. Medical facilities, including hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and clinics, should continue using the established process for requesting supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS).
We have reached out to local fire and police departments and are advocating for PPE for everyone on the front lines.
Extend Property Tax Deadlines
Families, small businesses, taxpayers alike need the state government to respond quickly. In order to implement this emergency flexibility the legislature needs to pass this bill (quickly!) and allow local municipalities to protect their cities and their tax payers. There is no time to delay: we must act swiftly!
Small Business Resources
Senator Baldwin
U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin's office compiled federal and state resources for small businesses related to COVID-19. Visit her website HERE.
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Milwaukee Small Business Webinar
I’ve spent the last few weeks on various calls and webinars. This was this morning from the City of Milwaukee's Office of Small Business Development, and a recording is likely to be available soon. We will keep you posted!
Support and Resources for Small & Micro-Businesses during COVID-19, a one hour webinar that focused on connecting small and micro-businesses and non-profit organizations to the resources, support and technical assistance needed to survive and thrive during these challenging times.
WELCOME:
Mark Gesner, Ph.D., Executive Director, Stritch Hub for Innovation and Community EngagedLearning
MODERATOR:
Genyne Edwards, J.D., Partner, P3 Development Group, LLC
MEDICAL UPDATE:
Dr. John Raymond, President/CEO, Medical College of WI
PANELISTS:
• Denise Thomas - President, The Effective Communication Coach
• Que El-Amin - Co-Founder, Young Enterprising Society
• Ossie C. Kendrix, Jr. - President & CEO, African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin
• Holly McCoy - Executive Director, Literacy Services of Wisconsin
• Donald J. Hill - Vice President, Heartland Information Research, Inc.
More information on the Office of Small Business Development HERE.
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WEDC Webinar
Earlier this week, State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski, WEDC Secretary Missy Hughes, and SBA Wisconsin Director Eric Ness participated in a webinar for Wisconsin small businesses. The webinar is available HERE.
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Rep. Vining Small Business Webinar
We are planning a webinar with State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski to share information and resources for small businesses on Tuesday, March 31st at 11am. Mark your calendar - more information to come!
COVID-19 Testing at Ascension - St. Joseph's
Spring Election
Online registration to vote has been extended until March 30, 2020 for the April 7th Spring Election. You can register to vote online HERE.
On the website, you can also request your absentee ballot until April 2nd to vote by mail.
Today, Governor Evers called on the legislature to act to send an absentee ballot to all registered voters in Wisconsin for the April 7th election.
I am ready to act to ensure a free and fair election for the people of Wisconsin.
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.
For daily updated information on COVID-19 in Wisconsin, visit the DHS website here.
Forward together,
