Forward Fridays: April 23rd, 2021

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

Assembly Task Force on Racial Disparities Update

The Speaker’s Task Force on Racial Disparities Subcommittee on Law Enforcement Policies and Standard’s made recommendations this week after meeting for six months. These recommendations include:

Standardize the scope of existing state-wide use-of-force data collection efforts
Require state-wide collection of data on use of no-knock warrants
Incentivize agencies to purchase and implement body cameras
Invest in collaboration between law enforcement agencies and local behavioral health programs
Support the creation of Community-Oriented Policing Houses
Prohibit nondisclosure agreements from preventing access to an officer’s employment file
Flag officers who resign in lieu of termination for review by the state certifying agency
Require a mental health screening as a condition of employment for officers
Support officer wellness initiatives
Increase funding for existing crisis intervention training grants
Require specialized training for officers stationed at schools

Read the full report HERE.

$420 Million for Wisconsin Tomorrow Small Business Recovery Grants

Governor Evers announced that he will allocate $420 million of American Rescue Plan funds for Wisconsin Tomorrow Small Business Recovery grants to support small businesses. These grants have the potential of helping 84,000 Wisconsin businesses, who can receive $5,000 grants to help bounce back from COVID-19.

Read the full announcement HERE.

Gov. Evers Announces $50 Million to Support Kids’ Learning Opportunities, Mental Health

Governor Evers announced this week $50 million in “Beyond the Classroom” grants to support learning opportunities and mental health programs for Wisconsin school-aged kids. The “Beyond the Classroom” grants will provide funding of up to $500,000 per non-profit organization. Up to $25 million will be available for programming during the summer months of 2021 and an additional $25 million will be available in the 2021-2022 school year and the following summer months.

Read my statement on this HERE.

Introduction of Resolution Honoring May 2021 as Wisconsin Motherhood Month

This week I introduced a resolution with Rep. Patrick Snyder and Sen. LaTonya Johnson in honor of Wisconsin’s mothers and motherhood -- Mothers by blood, marriage, foster care, adoption, or other forms of care. The resolution would honor May of this year as Wisconsin Motherhood Month. The public health and economic crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted mothers and motherhood disproportionately, with unexpected responsibilities and challenges they have had to confront. This resolution aims to bring attention to the many challenges mothers face. I hope to vote on this resolution in the Assembly in May - stay tuned!

Introduction of CLEAR Act

This week my colleagues and I introduced the CLEAR (Chemical Level Enforcement and Remediation) Act. I’m an original co-sponsor of this legislation which aims to stop the contamination from PFAS Particles through mitigation, testing, and strict enforcement standards. PFAS, per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are human made chemicals that are found in many common household products such as nonstick products, paints, cleaning products, and more. PFAS are found all around Wisconsin in soil, water, and the air and can have long term negative health impacts.

Last session, a similar bill was introduced but did not receive a public hearing. It is my hope that this essential legislation gets farther this session.

State Budget Updates

Joint Committee on Finance Public Hearings

The Joint Committee on Finance will be holding 1 additional public hearings, which you may view at wiseye.org:

Wednesday, April 28th, 10am-5pm - Virtual

This week the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) went to Rhinelander and Menomonie to hear from the public about the budget. The sign up for the virtual public hearing opened on Tuesday and was full within 20 minutes of it opening. For this reason, the democratic members of JFC have written a letter to the co-chairs of JFC asking that they have additional virtual hearings.

You can also submit a public comment on the budget to JFC HERE.

Drug Takeback Day

Drug Takeback Day is Saturday April 24th! This is a great opportunity to clean out your cabinets and dispose of any unused or unwanted prescription painkillers or medications.

Find a drug disposal location near you HERE.

Earth Day

Yesterday was Earth Day! Did you know that Wisconsin’s own Governor Nelson started Earth Day 51 years ago to increase environmental awareness and bring visibility to the many issues impacting our environment?

As Wisconsinites, we need to continue this tradition today. Here are some ways to get involved this Earth Day!

Educate yourself and spread awareness about environmental issues we face today
Reach out to your legislators, federal and state, about the environmental issues you find most concerning
Pick up litter in your neighborhood
Plant a tree, or pollinator friendly plants

Everyday Activities:

Bike or walk instead of drive if you are going somewhere close
Recycle properly by cleaning recyclables before putting them in the bin and making sure your city recycles that type of material (Don’t Wish-cycle!)
Avoid using single-use plastics when possible
Buy locally made and/or produced products when possible
Support sustainable and organic farming by buying organic if you are able
Avoid wasting water

COVID-19 Vaccine Update

Governor Evers announced that $175 million in federal funding will be used to develop a program of school-based testing for teachers, staff, and students. This will allow schools to do on site testing when symptoms arise. Read more HERE.

As you know, everyone ages 16+ in Wisconsin is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. A helpful tool for finding a vaccine near you is vaccinefinder.org which allows you to search for providers in your area and see vaccine availability along with the type of vaccine provided.

As of April 22nd, 4,057,602 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Wisconsin and 41.1% of Wisconsin residents have received at least one dose, with 29.7% fully vaccinated!

En español, AQUI. ¿Tiene preguntas sobre la vacuna contra el COVID-19? Llame al 844-684-1064 (llamada gratuita)

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. En español AQUI.