I would first like to take a moment to thank all of our essential workers who continuously show up every day to keep our society functioning, whether it be in health care, manufacturing, or the food and retail industry, I cannot thank you all enough for your hard work during this unprecedented time.
This week's eUpdate contains information about the recent Safer at Home Order that was issued this week and other news related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. But in the midst of all this uncertainty, there was a brief moment of shock that took many of our minds off of this havoc causing virus, and that is when we learned that our state senator had decided to retire. I want to thank Senator Fred Risser for his record setting years of public service to our community, state, and country. You can read more about this further down in the eUpdate.
If you have any questions or need assistance with any matter including accessing state agencies and resources during this time, please feel free to contact my office at (608) 266-7521 or rep.subeck@legis.wi.gov.
Sincerely, Lisa Subeck State Representative 78th Assembly District
On March 24, 2020, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), at the direction of Gov. Tony Evers, issued the Safer at Home order in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
This order directs all Wisconsin residents to stay at home with exceptions that include performing essential activities, essential travel, and operating essential businesses. You can visit the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation for its updated list of essential businesses and operations. The site also allows you to submit a request for clarification on whether you are considered an essential service. The emergency order is in effect until 8 a.m. on Friday, April 24, 2020.
The deadline to register to vote online has been extended until Monday, March 30. You can register HERE. If you are already registered to vote, I highly encourage you to request an absentee ballot online HERE. I share the concerns of local officials around the state about their ability to conduct safe, in-person voting during this pandemic. Absentee voting will allow you to cast your ballot safely at home.
I agree with Governor Tony Evers that all voters should be mailed absentee ballots. The Legislature should act now to ensure our spring election can be conducted fairly while keeping everyone safe and healthy. As Legislative leadership has not yet scheduled a session, please request your absentee ballot at https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/ today!
Personal Protective Equipment Sought by State of Wisconsin
The State of Wisconsin is looking for companies, educational facilities, and other organizations that may have personal protective equipment (PPE) that could be used in the state’s response to the COVID-19 emergency.
The state appreciates donations, and is willing to reimburse large quantities of PPE at fair market value. Please fill out this form if you have the specific items listed on the bottom of the form. If you have less than 50 items of any of the below items, please consider donating to local health care organizations.
Please keep in mind this site is not for organizations that need PPE. It is for organizations that have PPE and are looking to donate or sell it to the State of Wisconsin.
Thank you to dentists and the health and safety programs at Madison College for already stepping up to help our front line healthcare workers.
As the State of Wisconsin continues to respond to the coronavirus outbreak, Attorney General Josh Kaul and Department of Financial Institutions Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld are encouraging consumers to exercise caution when donating to a charity and to report suspected charity scams.
Actions consumers may take to avoid charity scams:
Do Your Research
Search DFI’s online registry to see if an organization is registered in Wisconsin and review its financial reports: https://wdfi.org/charitableorganizations/. Under Wis. Stat. § 202.12, most fundraisers and charitable organizations soliciting donations are required to register and report each year. Although not every charity needs to register, the fact that an organization isn’t registered can be a red flag.
Search the charity’s name online with words like “complaint” and “scam.”
Ask Questions
What are the charity’s website, address, and mission?
How much of your donation will go directly to services, not fundraising?
Be Careful How You Pay
If someone asks you to send cash, wire money, or donate by gift card, don’t do it. It’s safer to pay by credit card or check.
If you’re donating online, check that the webpage where you enter your payment information has “https” in the address. This means your financial information is secure.
Watch Out for Scammers’ Tricks
Scammers can spoof caller ID to make their fundraising calls look like they’re from your local area code, a Wisconsin area code, or from an organization you know.
Scammers might attempt to pressure you into donating immediately before you have time to do any research. A legitimate charity will welcome your donation at any time.
How to Make a Complaint
Individuals who have information about a suspected charity scam are encouraged to report that information to DFI. You can submit a complaint online here.
Wisconsin Extends Tax Filing Deadline to July 15th
Both federal and Wisconsin income tax payment and return due dates have been extended to July 15, 2020. Wisconsin law will automatically extends time and waive interest and penalties for taxpayers due to a presidentially declared disaster.
• Tax filers do not have to file any extension forms to be eligible for this new due date. • There is no limit on the amount of payment to be postponed, and there are no income exclusions. • This applies to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, associations, companies or corporations. • This relief is solely for income tax payments, estimated income tax payments and returns due April 15, 2020. • There will be no interest or penalty for the period of April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020. • Interest, penalties, and underpayment interest for failure to make quarterly estimated tax payments with respect to such postponed federal income tax filings and payments will begin to accrue on July 16, 2020.
Most Wisconsin Department of Revenue services can be found online at www.revenue.wi.gov. Customer service phone numbers: Individuals: (608) 266-2486, Businesses: (608) 266-2776
State Park Access There have been a number of questions regarding the public's ability to travel to State Parks and Trails under Emergency Order #12.
The Department of Natural Resources explained that order allows essential travel, which includes travel related to access to essential activities so long as there is compliance with Social Distancing Requirements (par. 15). Outdoor activity is included as an essential activity (par. 11.c) and thus includes visiting public and state parks, again so long as Social Distancing Requirements are met.
In order to protect the health and safety of the citizens of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is suspending all DNR burning permits, effective today, until further notice. More information can be found here.
County Deer Advisory Council Meetings Suspended
Also in light of COVID-19, the Department of Natural Resources will suspend in-person County Deer Advisory Council meetings planned for discussing this year's deer season antlerless permit recommendations and will instead use a call-in format. Meeting dates and times have not changed, and meetings remain open to the public.
Presentations by DNR wildlife biologists normally given in-person at these meetings will be available on the DNR website by March 26. Meeting schedules and call-in numbers can be found online here. After meetings conclude, meeting summaries with preliminary recommendations will also be posted on the DNR website.
Due to the facilitation limitations of call-in meetings, public comments will not be taken on the call. Instead, anyone wishing to provide feedback will be asked to do so using the online public input form available on the DNR website from April 16-29.
This coming Wednesday, April 1st, is Cenus Day. Because of efforts to reduce the spread of coronavirus, it's imporant we all do our part encouraging our loved ones to complete the census online if possible - and also complete it ourselves!
The census is already underway so households can respond to the 2020 Census right now at census.gov while we have to social distance from each other. The good thing is, we can comeplete this from the comfort of our own homes.
The importance of an accurate census cannot be overstated. It will affect apportionment, redistricting, federal funds sent to our state and municipalities, and more for the next ten years and beyond!
The COVID-19 pandemic is stressful for many people. If you or someone you love is experiencing fear and anxiety about this virus, that is normal. The uncertainty of this time can be overwhelming - you are not alone in feeling anxious. If you are stressed, the Centers for Disease and Control (CDC) recommends that you support yourself by:
Taking breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories.
Taking care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Try to eat healthy, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep.
Making time to unwind. Try to do activities you enjoy.
Connecting with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you're feeling.
The stress and anxiety coupled with close quarters can also trigger emotional and/or physical violence in the home. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence please reach out for help. Contact Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS) at their 24-hour help line (608) 251-4445.
You can read more about how to cope with stress during this pandemic HERE. You might also find it helpful to read about how you can avoid passing anxiety on to your children HERE. If you or someone you care about has thoughts of harming themselves or others please reach out to:
Yesterday, Senator Fred Risser (D-Madison) announced that he will retire from the State Senate at the end of his current term. Sen. Risser was first elected to the state legislature in 1956 and is currently the longest serving state legislator in the country.
I want to thank Senator Risser for his service to the people of the 26th Senate District. Senator Risser’s commitment to public service and to our community and our state goes unmatched, and his leadership in the state legislature will be missed.
I have had the distinct pleasure of working closely with Sen. Risser during my time in the State Assembly. I have learned a great deal from him and always appreciate the historical perspective he brings to our policy discussions. I am proud to count Sen. Risser among my colleagues and my friends.
Congratulations to Sen. Risser on a long and distinguished career in service to the people of Wisconsin. I wish the Senator and his wife, Nancy, all the best in retirement.
Safer at Home
Personal Protective Equipment Sought by State of Wisconsin
Wisconsin Extends Tax Filing Deadline to July 15th
The 2020 Census - Everybody Counts! 
