April 14, 2020

Working for you!

Stay Up To Date

State law prohibits state legislative offices from sending out 50 or more of the same communication to constituents after April 15th in election years. That means this will be my last non-public emergency related e-update to you until after the general election in November. In order to keep receiving updates from my office, please follow me here.

Even though we can't continue to send out our regular weekly emails, my staff and I are still hard at work vetting ideas for future legislation, holding state agencies accountable, and most importantly, helping constituents like you whenever you need assistance.

In these trying times, it’s more important than ever to keep in touch with your local officials. That’s why I’m asking you to follow my Facebook page, where I’ll be posting regular updates about the ongoing public emergency and how we are responding to it. Also, never hesitate to reach out personally. I always appreciate hearing from you!

A Bipartisan Effort

Over the past few weeks we in the legislature have been hard at work to pull together a bipartisan bill to fill the gaps left by federal legislation and address the current emergency in Wisconsin. Together, we have reached a deal that is aimed at addressing health care concerns and significant unemployment issues without spending state funds down or providing the governor with the power to extend the emergency past April 24^th without legislative consent.

Some highlights of the bill are that it:

• Eliminates the one-week waiting period for unemployment insurance benefits, retroactively to claims made after March 12 and through February 7, 2021

• Allows Wisconsin to capture more Medicaid dollars from the federal government

• Eases licensing requirements for health care professionals and emergency medical responders

• Prohibits Wisconsin from requiring nurse aide instruction in excess of the federal requirements. These unnecessary requirements have kept nurses from entering their field of work in a timely manner and made it hard for Wisconsin to keep up with our need for nurses. Although we passed this provision earlier in the session with bipartisan support, the governor vetoed it. Due to the overwhelming need for nurses right now and in the future, I’m hopeful the governor will change his mind on this issue.

• Allows pharmacists to use their personal judgement to extend prescriptions when necessary up to 90 days

• Expands SeniorCare to include coverage of vaccinations

• Ensures no co-pays for COVID-19 testing

• Prohibits health insurance coverage discrimination based on COVID-19

• Provides the needed flexibilities to school districts to complete the school year online

• Requires the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to develop a plan to assist the state’s main industries of tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, construction and retail

• Requires the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to ensure there is a dashboard that the public can access to view the actual data the state is utilizing to make public health decisions. Such a database has recently been created by the Wisconsin Hospital Association and can be viewed by clicking the image below:

COVID-19 Guidance and Assistance

Help is available if you are in need. You can’t control whether you lose your job or your benefits because of the Coronavirus. However, you can take steps to protect yourself in case you wind up without health insurance during the pandemic. If you have lost coverage (or fear that you might), you have options! Call 920-882-6420 or dial United Way’s 2-1-1 for free help.

Below are additional resources:

Unemployment and Job Opportunities

• Unemployment insurance claims should be made online if possible, and requirements have been relaxed. Many employers are currently hiring in order to fill gaps in delivery and retail services. Learn more by visiting https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/covid19/public/

Small Businesses

• Grants of up to $20,000 to targeted small businesses with no more than 20 employees to cover rent and to meet payroll expenses, including paid leave.

Financial Resources

• If you are experiencing financial impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, assistance may be available.

It's Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week

On Thursday, April 16, 2020, ReadyWisconsin and its partners will participate in a "Virtual" Tornado Drill. There will be no alerts on NOAA Weather Radios or on your TV. Instead, you may see messages on social media from ReadyWisconsin, the National Weather Service, and Wisconsin Broadcasters across the state reminding you about tornado safety.

During this time, we encourage you to spend 15 minutes talking with your family about your plans at home for taking shelter when a tornado warning is issued for your area. You can also discuss how you will receive alerts about approaching severe weather and what you should after the storm has passed.

Tools of the Trade

Ascendium recently awarded $300,000 in new Tools of the Trade scholarships to 200 construction and industrial trades apprentices with financial need. Now in its seventh year, Ascendium’s Tools of the Trade program has provided nearly $1.5 million in scholarships to hardworking Wisconsin apprentices.

Recipients use their $1,500 scholarships to buy tools, clothing and equipment needed for their trades. Easing their financial burden has proven remarkably effective at helping more apprentices stay on the path to a rewarding career. Since the program began, 95% of scholarship recipients have either completed or continued their training the following semester.

I’ve long been an advocate for this scholarship. This session I introduced a bipartisan bill to expand the program.

Congratulations to Newly Elected Local Officials

Thank you!

Since this is my last regular e-update of the legislative session until after the November election, I wanted to take the opportunity to once again thank you for the privilege of serving you as your state representative. It is an honor to perform this duty to our community and I can’t thank you enough for all of your questions, comments, thanks, and yes, even complaints that you bring to my office and me. Together, we make democracy work and I’m proud to have such engaged constituents.

Until November, please stay in touch by following my posts on my official Facebook page.

"Like" Representative Murphy's Facebook Page

I use Facebook to update constituents more frequently on my work in Madison and the 56th Assembly District. I look forward to using this as another way to connect with constituents and encourage you to follow it and watch for regular updates.