I hope this message finds you and your family safe and healthy.
First - I wish you all Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! 2020 has been a year like we have never seen before. We all have faced challenges, changes in our lives and some have experienced heartache and loss. These continue to be challenging times for all of us as we work together to stop the spread and fight this pandemic. It is my hope this holiday season that you and your family will still be able to find reasons to celebrate, find cheer, and share the love of family as we move into 2021. I look forward to celebrating with my wife Gaby, and our guard dog Pistachio.
As we have seen over the past month, Wisconsin continues to suffer great loss and hospitalization of our neighbors. As I mentioned in my last update, Governor Evers submitted to the legislature a robust package of legislation to be considered and passed to help support citizensacross the State and defeat COVID-19.
I want to share with you the recent and important COVID-19 legislative updates and to keep you informed on other happenings as the legislature prepares to reconvene in January.
Please follow my Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Channelfor more frequent updates. I hope they help keep you informed and engaged with what’s going on in Madison and Milwaukee.
As always, I welcome any feedback or ideas you may have. Stay tuned for additional information in the near future about further updates and legislative priorities going into the 2021-2022 legislative session. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance to you.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
Evan Goyke State Representative 18th Assembly District
Governor Evers' COVID-19 Legislation
Last week we included Governor Evers’ announcement that he would be introducing legislation to continue the State’s response to COVID-19. Details of that proposal are now available, with a copy of the summary here.
The Governor has proposed to increase spending to ensure COVID testing remains free and available, facilitate surge staffing resources for healthcare facilities statewide, and continue to operate emergency alternate care facilities. These programs cost a total of $400 million. The Governor recommends spending an additional $63 million to continue the 1,500 state and local staff engaged in contract tracing; additional resources for testing; and dedicated funds for the rapid distribution of a COVID vaccine as well as public awareness of best practices to stop the spread.
In addition to these new investments, the Governor has proposed to continue the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, ensure that insurers cannot charge for COVID testing or out of network services that are COVID related, and advance a number of worker-focused changes to the Unemployment Compensation system. Lastly, the Governor has recommended an additional $75 million in aid to small businesses.
Wisconsin’s fiscal year ends on June 30th, 2021. We currently have a “rainy day” fund balance of roughly $650 million; a surplus in Medicaid funds due to federal law changes of roughly $200 million; and there are upwards of $200 million in tax credits budgeted for Foxconn that the company may not be eligible for. These are the sources the Governor and Legislature may use in the immediate to fund a COVID response (new revenues are possible but may be more appropriately advanced in the coming state budget).
Assembly Republican COVID-19 Legislation
On November 17, 2020, a week after the Governor’s address and following the introduction of Governor Evers’ proposals that morning, legislative Republicans scrambled to react. In media interviews that day they admitted that they did not have any proposals drafted and were “not excited” about acting.
On December 1, 2020, Assembly Republican legislators introduced their own COVID-19 legislation. This legislation is fraught with problems and I have a number of concerns with its provisions which include: not providing the necessary funding to continue testing and tracing; requiring GOP approval of any new federal or state funding and the vaccination distribution plan; failing to address the needs of workers and the Unemployment Compensation program.
The GOP bill further removes the power of local governments and local health departments from making orders aimed at reducing the spread of COVID. There are also financial punishments to school districts that continue virtual instruction. Specifically, if a school district has virtual instruction for 50% or more of the semester, the district must pay $371 to the parents/guardians of each pupil, but doesn’t include any state funding to make these payments. For MPS, this would mean a more than $25 million unfunded mandate that would equal cuts in other areas. There are also troubling provisions that would lead to further financial reductions if teachers are not physically present in the classroom, whether the district is using virtual learning or not.
Legislative Democrats are not alone in opposition to the Assembly Republican bill. Senate Republicans have indicated, at least initially, that they are not interested in acting on the Assembly Republican bill.
The bottom line is this means continued inaction for the people of our State in need. The proposals introduced by Governor Evers need to be passed into law immediately. I look forward to working alongside you to help make that a reality.
Goyke Summary + Nerd Power Breakdown
Early in 2020 I began recording a series of (hopefully) informative videos that I call “Nerd Power”. I hope to present information in greater detail to give you the full picture of what’s happening in your State Government. Here’s the link to our Nerd Power youtube channel and below is my most recent video discussing Governor Evers COVID response bill and the Assembly Republican counter-proposal.
Rep. Goyke Re-Appointed to Committee on Joint Finance
I’m excited to share that I was re-appointed to the legislature’s powerful Joint Committee on Finance for the upcoming 2021-2022 legislative session. This session I will be serving as the senior Assembly Democrat on the committee.
The Joint Committee on Finance is composed of 16 legislators - 12 Republicans and 4 Democrats. Its duties include the review of all state appropriations and revenues, as well as the Governor’s biennial budget recommendations.
I am honored to serve you and the State of Wisconsin in this important role. I will be joining our State Senator LaTonya Johnson on the committee, as well as my colleagues Sen. Erpenbach and Rep. Neubauer. Our state is at a critical point in its history. It is a great privilege to have a seat at the table as we begin discussions on the biennial budget that will determine our priorities moving forward.
State Budget Listening Sessions
The next virtual budget listening session on criminal justice, hosted by Governor Evers, will take place this upcoming Tuesday, December 8, at 6:00 p.m. These listening sessions provide Governor Evers and legislators the opportunity to learn what priorities are important to you and what policy items you would like to see introduced in the Governor’s budget. Thank you to all of my neighbors who have joined thus far. Your engagement is greatly appreciated.
Previous Listening Sessions:
November 17, 2020: Budget Listening Session on Healthcare and Public Health
December 2, 2020: Budget Listening Session on Environment, Infrastructure, and the Economy
Upcoming Listening Sessions:
Tuesday, December 8, at 6:00 PM: Budget Listening Session on Criminal Justice Reform
Wednesday, December 16, at 6:00 PM: Budget Listening Session on Our Schools and Education
Registration will be live one week before the listening session date
Important Local COVID-19 Resources
During these unprecedented times, I want to make sure that you are connected to the resources that are available in our community. Each e-update will include resources and opportunities that may be helpful for anyone experiencing hardship due to the pandemic.
W-2 Emergency Assistance: One-time payment that can help qualifying low-income parents to pay for emergency housing or utility-related expenses.
Energy Assistance Program: Provides qualified Milwaukee County residents with a one-time, annual payment toward heating and electric bills. The funding pays a portion of energy costs determined by household size, income, and energy costs.
2-1-1 Social Service and Community Resource Referral Support through IMPACT, Inc.:
Dial 2-1-1, or (414) 773-0211
To avoid being charged a long-distance fee, call 2-1-1 toll-free at (866) 211-3380
Text your zip code: TXT-211{898-211} Mon- Fri 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
