Assembly Takes Up Mask Requirement

On Thursday,  the Wisconsin State Assembly voted on Senate Joint Resolution 3 (SJR 3) to overturn Governor Tony Evers’ statewide mask order. Despite COVID-19 infections continuing to rise in Wisconsin and the mask order having strong public support, Assembly Republicans passed SJR 3 anyway.

A statewide mask requirement has widespread support, and we all want to open schools, visit our friends, and hug our parents. At a time when we have begun vaccination and can see an end to the pandemic in reach. It is shameful that the Republicans would rather delay getting back to our Wisconsin way of life in order to continue their political games and impose their extreme ideology over prioritizing the health and wellbeing of Wisconsinites. Simply put, more people wearing masks translates to fewer infections, hospitalizations, and deaths from this highly contagious virus.

Republicans have been spinning their wheels for weeks to wanting to repeal Governor Evers’s mask requirement while simultaneously claiming that their resolution is not about masks. There is no doubt that the vote taken yesterday by the majority of Assembly Republicans was either about repealing the mask requirements – which is cruel and callous in and of itself – or Republicans were willing to take an action so uncaring and unkind that they put their contempt for the governor and their desire for absolute power ahead of the health and economic stability of our communities and our state.  Fortunately, not long after SJR 3 was passed, Governor Evers issued a new statewide mask requirement, and today, Legislative Democrats introduced legislation that would create statewide mask order. 

Back to top

Gov. Evers Announces Plan to Reduce Prescription Drug Prices

On Wednesday, Gov. Tony Evers announced a comprehensive plan to address soaring prescription drug prices. The governor’s proposal builds on the work of the task force he created in 2019 which brought stakeholders together to tackle the issue of skyrocketing prescription prices.

All Wisconsinites need and deserve access to affordable healthcare, including prescription drugs. Too many families and seniors are forced to choose between buying food and paying for the medications they or their children need. No one should be forced to risk their health or life by skipping doses because they cannot afford to refill a prescription.

Serving on the Governor’s Task Force on Reducing Prescription Drug Prices, I heard from people across the state who struggle to pay for their medications. These recommendations developed by the task force and included in the governor’s plan will provide real relief to the hardworking individuals, families, and seniors who need it most.

The plan focuses on reducing and controlling costs, greater transparency for consumers, and ensuring access for all Wisconsin citizens. As we consider the 2021-23 budget, I urge my colleagues in the Legislature to support the work of the task force by advancing the Governor’s plan to reduce prescription drug prices.

You can read details of the Governor’s plan here.

Back to top

Open Enrollment Period Starting Feb. 15^th

This week, it was announced that HealthCare.gov will be reopening for Wisconsinites to enroll in health care coverage. The open enrollment period runs from February 15, through March 15. This announcement comes after advocates pushed for greater access to healthcare coverage in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wisconsinites who missed either the original enrollment deadline or their first payment for their enrolled plan, now have another opportunity to sign up. People who are already enrolled also have another chance to review their plan to make sure it still meets their coverage needs.

Most people on a HealthCare.gov plan qualify for financial help that lowers their monthly payment. If you would like to know if you qualify, you are encouraged to dial 2-1-1, or visit WisCovered.com to find free, expert help. These experts can help you understand your coverage, simplify the enrollment process, and help you select a plan that fits your family and your budget.

*Info provided by Office of Gov. Tony Evers.

Back to top

Wisconsin Fun Fact
Celebrating Black History Month

Currently, there are 10 Black people are serving in the Wisconsin Legislature, a historic most at one time ever. The 2021-22 Black Caucus includes Representatives Baldeh, Bowen, Drake, Haywood, Moore Omokunde, Myers, and Stubbs, and Senators Bradley, Johnson, and Taylor. 

In 1866, the Wisconsin Supreme Court determined that Black men had legally acquired the right to vote in Wisconsin in 1849. However, it wasn’t until 1907 that a black person was elected to the Legislature.

Lucian H. Palmer was that person. He was elected to a Milwaukee Assembly district in 1906, and served one 2-year term. Palmer was an effective legislator during his short stint, beating the low expectations that his white peers had set for him. Rep. Palmer remains the only Black Republican member of the Assembly to date.

It would not be until 1945 until another Black person served in the legislature. Le Roy Simmons was elected to the Assembly in 1944, beginning a yet-unbroken streak of at least one Black person serving in the Legislature.

Civil Rights pioneer Lloyd Barbee from Milwaukee served in the State Assembly from 1965 to 1977.  During his tenure he introduced a State Fair Housing bill and worked for fair employment, gay rights, women's rights, and prison reform.

Barbee was succeeded by the first Black woman to serve in the Assembly, Marcia Coggs. She was elected in 1976, and served until 1993. She was the first Black legislator to chair a legislative committee (the Assembly Aging, Women, and Minorities Committee).

Gwen Moore was the first Black woman elected to the Senate in 1992. Moore also holds the distinction of being the first Black person elected to Congress from Wisconsin. Her son, Supreme Moore Omokunde, was elected to the State Assembly in 2020.

In 1990, Robert Turner became the first Black legislator from outside of Milwaukee County when he was elected to a Racine County Assembly seat. In 2018, Sheila Stubbs was the first Black person to be elected to a Dane County Assembly seat, and Kalan Haywood became the youngest black legislator ever elected in Wisconsin.

In 2020, Julian Bradley became the first Black Republican elected to the State Senate, and the first Black person to represent a district outside of Milwaukee’s urban core. Sen. Bradley represents suburban parts of Milwaukee, Racine, Walworth, and Waukesha Counties.

For information on the Legislative Black Caucus's Black History Month events, visit here.

Back to top