Just when we might have thought we were getting to the end of the tunnel, it turns out that once again we’ve got a long way to go until we see the end of this pandemic.
Even before the arrival of the Omicron, we seemed to be heading in the wrong direction. In Dane County, hospitalizations have increased by 50% compared to two weeks ago as is the occupancy of the city’s ICU beds. These serious cases are overwhelmingly comprised of folks who have decided not to get vaccinated.
There are also many reported cases of people who have been vaccinated but have a much less serious illness- they are rarely hospitalized. That’s why the Dane County Public Health Dept. wisely extended the mask order until January 3rd.
Masking and other precautions is especially important now that we will have the Omicron virus (as well as the winter flu season) to deal with. There’s a lot of speculation as to whether the vaccines guard against the new strain, reduce the severity of the illness or not. Until we know more, I’ll keep my mask on.
Note: Free vaccines including boosters are still available at the Alliant Center. Appointments are recommended. They accept walk-ins, but availability is not guaranteed. Call (608) 242-6328 for an appointment.
Free rides are available to the East Washington Ave. offices for vaccination appointments. Call (608) 243-0420 to schedule a ride. Please note you must wear a mask while using this service. This is not an on-demand service; you will be scheduling an appointment to get a free ride.
Phone Calls from Jails
Soon after I was elected, I learned that many of the people in our jails are charged shockingly high rates for phone calls. Some counties charge up to $15 for a 15-minute phone call! (Dane County charges $2 for a 15-minute local call.) County jails in Wisconsin, like many others in the US, typically have contracts with a company in which the jail gets a substantial amount “kick-backed” for each call.
Of course, it is not actually the inmate who pays- it’s their family, partner, child, etc. who pay the charges by “buying minutes” from these companies. About half the people in jail have not been found guilty of a crime but are being held because they cannot afford to pay bail. They stay in jail an average of one year before they go trial. Obviously, they tend to be very poor as are their relatives.
This practice essentially penalizes the family of the inmate by forcing them to pay these charges if they want to keep in contact with their family member. These are families who generally do not have an extra $30-40 per week to talk with their loved ones.
Because of the high costs, the inmates become disconnected from family and friends. The loss of regular contact and connection with family is one of the key causes of reoccurring crime and returning to prison.
For these and other reasons, I have authored a bill to offer phone services to inmates that are no more than what you and I pay for a local call-a few cents. The state oversees county jails and can require them to set fair rules.
I will introduce the bill with its co-sponsors next week on Dec. 8th.
DNR Proposes New PFAS Standard
The DNR announced that it will introduce two new rules limiting the level of PFAS/PFOA in drinking water and surface water. It is expected that the rule would limit levels to 20 parts per trillion- a reduction from 70 parts which is the current EPA standard.
The rule would require all public drinking water facilities to be tested. Currently, only 1% of wells have been tested including all wells in Madison. Wells in Marinette, Madison, Eau Claire, Rhinelander and La Crosse have detected significant levels of PFAS.
After the rules are announced it will be referred to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, chaired by Senator Nass. Previously, that Committee has rejected rules that would reduce exposure to these dangerous chemicals. You can read more about the proposed rules here.
I authored a bill that would accomplish many of the elements of the proposed rules but to date there has not been a hearing on it.
Reindahl Park
After nearly two years of a growing encampment in Reindahl Park, the city has begun to move many of the “campers” to small homes on a more suitable site on the southeast side as well as Starkweather Creek. This move is long overdue and I hope will lead to the restoration of the park to its original purpose and use.
Addressing Climate Change
In November the Forward on Climate package was introduced. It comprises twenty-two bills that aim to create jobs, reduce inequality, and fight climate change in Wisconsin. The majority of these bills were taken directly from the Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change.
I co-authored one of the bills in the package which would create a "stretch energy code." This means that municipalities like Madison would have the option to mandate a stricter energy code than the current state standards. This stricter code would lead to reduced energy consumption and the usage of sustainable alternatives.
Blue Books
State of Wisconsin Blue Books 2021-22 are still available. Please complete this form on my website.
2021 Assembly Bill 687 Relating to: collective bargaining for employees of school districts, employees of cooperative educational service agencies, employees of technical college districts, and employees of the University of Wisconsin System and making an appropriation. (FE)
2021 Assembly Bill 696 Relating to: dentists' services for pregnant persons under the Medical Assistance program. (FE)
2021 Assembly Bill 711 Relating to: student loans for postsecondary education, requirements related to student loan servicers, creating an office of the student loan ombudsman in the Department of Financial Institutions, and granting rule-making authority. (FE)
2021 Assembly Bill 697 Relating to: reimbursement of maternal mental health screenings under the Medical Assistance program and coverage of maternal mental health screenings by health policies and plans. (FE)
My Committees
Committee on Local Government
Committee on Regulatory Licensing Reform
Committee on Rules
Committee on Science, Technology, and Broadband
Committee on Small Business Development
Committee on Information Policy and Technology
Contacting My Office
My Capitol office is here to help you with general inquiries as well as questions and concerns regarding legislative matters. Feel free to contact me or my staff. We are always ready to assist you in your needs. Please visit my website for press releases and other Capitol updates.
If you have any comments regarding the subject of this E-Update, please feel free to contact me.
Rep. Samba Baldeh
P.O. Box 8952 State Capitol, Room 11 North Madison, WI 53708 Toll-Free (888) 534-0048 or (608) 266-0960 Rep.Baldeh@legis.wi.gov| |
