On Monday I joined the Thiensville Business Association’s annual meeting and heard about their exciting plans for 2022. The TBA has grown to 50 members and is host to popular community events such as the Thiensville Village Market, the Best Dam Blues Festival, Family Fun Before the Fourth and many more. Visit their website at www.thiensvillebusiness.com to join or learn more.
Preventing Drunk Driving
Wisconsin has a drunk driving problem. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) released a report this week that gives Wisconsin’s DUI laws a grade of F. Ignition interlock devices (IID) are only required for repeat offenders and blood alcohol levels of .15 or greater, and yet blood levels are often pleaded down in court in order to avoid interlock devices.
Despite these weak provisions, IIDs prevent more drunk driving in Wisconsin than almost every other state. Just think how many MORE drunk drivers would be stopped, and how much safer our roads would be, if we required IIDs after EVERY offense. I am proud to be the lead author of AB 810 which would do exactly that. See MADD's new report here:https://www.madd.org/iidlaw
Healthcare Heroes Bill
Our health care workers deserve more than praise. They deserve paid medical leave, hazard pay, state-funded COVID testing and treatment, and a whole lot more. I am proud to be a co-sponsor of the Healthcare Heroes Bill, re-introduced this week, which would provide benefits for healthcare workers, including hazard pay, paid medical leave, state-funded COVID-19 testing and treatment for those uninsured, and insurance coverage for COVID-19 testing and treatment. The bill also accepts the Medicaid expansion.
The bill’s lead author, Representative Robyn Vining, re-introduced the measure after failing to get a hearing on the bill in the previous legislative session. “Healthcare workers are heroes,” she said, “and we should provide the support and resources they need to continue their heroic work and keep our communities protected from this pandemic. Frontline healthcare workers continue performing vital roles to combat this pandemic, because it is not simply what they do, but who they are. Wisconsin healthcare heroes are counting on us to act. Healthcare workers have been doing their job, and now it’s our turn to do ours.”
The next few weeks will be busy ones in the State Assembly. We expect to be in session to hear a variety of legislation on Thursday, January 20th and Tuesday, January 25th.
We are happy to share updated information on grant and aid programs announced by Governor Tony Evers, most funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). These critical investments provide a lifeline to Wisconsin communities and businesses to ensure a strong pandemic recovery. For more information on all of the grants and aid programs, visit the Badger Bounceback website.
Main Street Bounce Back Grants - Application Period Ongoing
The Main Street Bounceback Grants program provides $10,000 to new or existing businesses and non-profit organizations moving into vacant properties in Wisconsin’s downtowns and commercial corridors. The program is open to new or existing businesses opening a new location or expanding operations in a vacant commercial space as of January 1, 2021. Grant funds are available as part of the American Recovery Plan Act and will be distributed by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) regional partners. Businesses must apply through the partner organization for the region in which they are located. Applications are open through June 30, 2022.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program - Help Is Still Available
The Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance Program (WERA) provides up to 18 months of assistance with current or overdue bills to help households that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic avoid eviction. More than 25,000 Wisconsinites have already received help with rent and utilities statewide. Help is still available for eligible households through WISCAP agencies and Energy Services. The program is funded by the Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program and administered by the Wisconsin Department of Administration.
The Wisconsin Blue Book, published biennially, is a terrific source for information about the State of Wisconsin. Our office was delighted to receive a large collection of Blue Books from Mordecai Lee, dating back as far as 1879! Mordecai Lee is a professor at UW-Milwaukee, and a former member of the State Assembly and the State Senate. If you're in Madison, we encourage you to stop by our office to see the collection.
We are also happy to start or add to YOUR collection of Blue Books! We can provide you with a FREE copy upon request by clicking hereor come see us in the district at the following library locations and times:
Monday, Jan. 24 -- North Shore Library from 7 to 8 pm
Monday, Jan. 31 -- Grafton Village Library from 7 to 8 pm
DHS Update
Last week Wisconsin received its first allocation of oral antiviral COVID-19 treatments molnupiravir and Paxlovid to treat patients diagnosed with mild to moderate COVID-19. Both antiviral pills are intended for people who are at risk of developing severe COVID-19.
Wisconsin also recently received an allocation of Evusheld, a new monoclonal antibody treatment used for prevention of COVID-19. Evusheld is intended for use in people ages 12 and up with weakened immune systems or those unable to get a COVID-19 vaccine for medical reasons.
Supplies of these treatments and oral antivirals is currently very limited.
These new COVID-19 treatments and oral antivirals can reduce complications from COVID-19. It is critical that we all continue to take steps to stop the spread of COVID-19 to avoid needing treatment. To learn more, talk to your health care provider or visit the DHS COVID-19: Treatments and Medications page.
COVID-19 treatments and medications should not be used as replacements for prevention measures such as wearing a mask and vaccination. For the best protection against COVID-19 and circulating variants, get vaccinated and get your booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Meeting with constituents is the best and most important part of my job! These sessions are opportunities for you to meet your state representative, and for us to learn what matters most to you, your businesses and your families. Office hours are held at small businesses throughout the 23rd District. Click here to reserve your appointment on Friday mornings between 9:00 am--12:00 pm. If you prefer, we can also schedule a phone call or Zoom at a time that works for you.
We look forward to hearing from you!
January 21 at Fiddleheads Coffee in Mequon
January 28 at Friendship Café in Fox Point
Contact Our Office
There are several convenient ways to share your thoughts and concerns with us:
Call our office at (608) 266-0486
Email us at Rep.Andraca@legis.wisconsin.gov
Visit our website to learn more about constituent services, legislative priorities and to share your comments or concerns.
Wisconsin has a drunk driving problem. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) released a report this week that gives Wisconsin’s DUI laws a grade of F. Ignition interlock devices (IID) are only required for repeat offenders and blood alcohol levels of .15 or greater, and yet blood levels are often pleaded down in court in order to avoid interlock devices.
