Forward Fridays: April 9th, 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, all Wisconsinites ages 16+ became eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine! As of April 9th, 3,380,401 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Wisconsin 35.9% of Wisconsin residents have received at least one dose, with 22.9% fully vaccinated.

In addition, Advocate Aurora Health is partnering with the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee and the City of Milwaukee Public Health Department, to open a COVID 19 vaccination clinic within the UW-Milwaukee Student Union, located at 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd., Milwaukee, WI 53211. This vaccination clinic will be open Monday-Friday from 9am-3pm. To sign up fill out the vaccination interest form and then you will receive an email containing a personalized code and instructions for scheduling a vaccination appointment. Fill out a vaccination interest form HERE.

Ascension Wisconsin is also vaccinating all eligible folks ages 18+, regardless of health system affiliation. For more information on receiving a COVID-19 vaccine through Ascension, and to make an appointment, visit their page HERE.

For more information about what groups are eligible, visit the DHS website HERE.

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.

COVID-19 Variants

This week, DHS introduced a new web page that shows where COVID-19 variants have been detected in Wisconsin. These variants are troubling because they are more contagious than the original virus. With an increase in the prominence of COVID-19 variants in Wisconsin and increasing daily cases, it is important that we continue to wear masks, wash our hands frequently, practice social distancing, and avoid group gatherings.

Learn more about COVID-19 variants in Wisconsin at the Department of Health Service’s new variant web page HERE.

Small Business Support - We're All In Grants

Governor Evers announced this week that more than $46 million will be used to support an estimated 9,300 small businesses across Wisconsin which will receive a $5,000 grant through the successful ‘We’re All In’ grant program. This program will be funded through CARES Act funds. While CARES funds as originally prescribed were slotted to expire at the end of 2020, a federal omnibus bill signed before the end of the year extended the deadline until the end of 2021.

Read the full announcement HERE.

Calling for a Public Hearing on Mask Mandate Bill

Last week following the Wisconsin State Supreme Court decision, my Democratic colleagues and I called on the Chair & Vice Chair of the Assembly Committee on State Affairs and legislative leadership to hold a hearing on Assembly Bill 88 to enact a statewide mask mandate in Wisconsin.

Read the full letter HERE.

This Week in Meetings

This week I have been busy meeting with Wisconsin organizations. On Monday, I attended a briefing from the Wisconsin Department of Justice regarding Treatment Alternatives & Diversion (TAD) programs.

On Tuesday, our office met with the Wisconsin Public Transportation Association (WIPTA) and the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS).

On Wednesday I met with the Wisconsin Restaurants Association and a local restaurant owner, and I attended a legislative briefing about Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) which are private, mission driven financial institutions benefitting low income and disadvantaged people and communities.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of visiting the wood shop at Wauwatosa East High School. Thanks to Mr. Griffie for giving Rep. Sara Rodriguez and me a tour of the Wood shop- Fab Lab- Launch- Pre-Apprenticeship program! It’s a very exciting shop, and local families can watch for the monthly open shop Saturdays!

Today, I attended a briefing from Community Health Centers in the Milwaukee area to discuss their legislative and budget priorities.

State Budget Updates

Governor's Budget Listening Sessions

Thank you to everyone who has tuned in to Governor Evers’ virtual Badger Bounceback live sessions thus far. If you want to take action, there are still 2 opportunities to attend these sessions. In these sessions, Wisconsinites can discuss, provide feedback, and share personal experiences as it relates to Governor Evers’ proposed 2021-2023 Biennial Budget. These meetings will take place at 6PM on the following dates:

April 14th - Justice Reform & Marijuana Legalization, register HERE.
April 21st - Climate Change & Our Environment, register HERE.

Joint Committee on Finance Public Hearings

This week, the Joint Committee on Finance held agency hearings to hear from representatives of state agencies on the Governor’s 2021-2023 Biennial Budget (Assembly Bill 68). They heard from the Department of Public Instruction and the Department of Workforce Development on Tuesday and from the Department of Natural Resources and the Public Service Commission on Wednesday.

Additionally, JFC held their first public hearing today in Whitewater. For information about the next upcoming public hearings or to provide written public comment on the budget, visit the JFC website HERE.

Session Next Week

Next Tuesday, the Assembly will be in session at 1pm. Watch the debate and vote on the Assembly floor live at wiseye.org/live

Holocaust Remembrance Day

Yesterday, April 8th, 2021, was Holocaust Remembrance Day - on this day, we remember and honor the victims and survivors of the Holocaust, and condemn antisemitism and bigotry in all forms.

World Health Day & National Public Health Week

For World Health Day today (Wednesday, April 7th) and National Public Health Week this week, I want to offer my sincerest gratitude to our public health and healthcare workers for their dedication to keeping us all safe and healthy.