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Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope you are all well, and adjusting as best as you can during these challenging times.

In this week's e-update you can find the latest information on voting in next week's election, the letter legislative Democrats sent to Republican Leadership, and resources for caregivers during COVID-19, and more.

I want to make you aware that on April 15, the law known as the "Rule of 49" will go into effect.  The Rule of 49 prohibits lawmakers from sending out more than 49 identical items of anything during a campaign season.  For you this means next week will likely be my final e-update of this legislative session unless an exception is somehow made for COVID-19 updates. I will continue to post the latest information I receive on my Facebook page so please consider following me there.

As always, if you have any questions or need assistance with any matter, please feel free to contact my office.


Sincerely,
Lisa Subeck
State Representative
78th Assembly District


In This Weeks Update:

Spring Election Update


Free & Fair Election?


Legislature Must Convene


Unemployment Processes Updated


Did You Get My Postcard?


Tips to Avoid Charity Scams


Resources for Alzheimer's Caregivers


Trusted COVID-19 Links


Contact Me:

418 North, State Capitol

P.O. Box 8953

Madison, WI 53708

Phone: (608) 266-7521

Toll-Free: (888) 534-0078

Fax: (608) 282-3690

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ELECTION INFO.pngSpring Election Update

Late yesterday, U.S. District Judge William Conley extended the window to request an absentee ballot to 5 PM today. The Elections Commission recommends the best way to request an absentee ballot at this point is to email the city clerk

The federal ruling also allows until Monday, April 13, 2020 for ballots to be returned to clerk's offices to be included in the official count for the elections, and allows for those who live alone and cannot safely have their absentee ballot witnessed to be able to forego the witness requirement.

Today ant tomorrow, City of Madison residents can still take advantage of curbside voting on the 200 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd between the City County Building and the Madison Municipal Building. Curbside voting today, Friday, April 3, is 8 AM - 6 PM (register & vote) and tomorrow, Saturday, April 4, 9 a.m -1 p.m. (pre-registered voters only).

Madison is also providing several secure drop off locations for absentee ballots which include Central Library, 201 W. Mifflin St. (Mifflin St. book drop only) Pinney Library, 516 Cottage Grove Road (drive through book drop only), and Sequoya Library, 4340 Tokay Blvd.

If you do plan to vote in person on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, please keep in mind that polling locations are frequently changing.  The City of Madison Clerk's office has a listing and map of where voting locations are planned for Tuesday, but they also recommend checking myvote.wi.gov before you head to the polls. Additionally, please take all recommended safety precautions such as regularly washing your hands and avoid touching your face.

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FreeFair.pngFree & Fair Election?

I cannot even begin to explain how frustrated I am that we could not reach bipartisan agreement to postpone or extend next Tuesday's election - or convert to mail-in balloting only. It is utterly ridiculous that at the same time the state has ordered our residents to stay home and only engage in essential travel or essential business, we would now expect or even allow them to come work at our polling places and to come to these polling places to vote on election day.

How can we have a free and fair election if our citizens are afraid to go vote? And how can we justify putting the health and lives of the public on the line when a simple act of the Legislature could prevent it?

The Governor has called upon the National Guard to fill in for absent poll workers, but they are not immune from this disease either. There is nothing about being a soldier that makes you less at risk of catching and spreading COVID-19. And we are still counting on many of our usual poll workers, most of whom fall into the highest risk groups because of age, and many of whom are committed to showing up on election day to fulfill their duties.

I have been told that there will be efforts to have PPEs available for poll workers, but there are no guarantees about what equipment is available. Regardless, that PPE would be put to better use in medical settings or for essential workers who are in group homes, retirement facilities, or providing in-home care to vulnerable populations. If we do not open the polling places, these resources could be reallocated to where they are needed most in a time of crisis.

Yesterday, I spoke to a resident of my Assembly district who had planned to work at the polls next week. She has been a poll workers as long as she can remember, and she is in her 80s. She was determined to work at the polls on election day out of a sense of responsibility and duty. I appreciate her commitment and the commitment of so many others like her, but I want these folks to be here in November when we need them again. When push comes to shove, their health and safety is more important. A member of this woman's family had contacted my office to request that I call her and urge her to stay home. I did, and she agreed. I should not have had to make that call because we do not have to hold the election on April 7.

Even if we can adequately protect our poll workers, we cannot adequately protect the public visiting polling sites to cast their ballots. If we are truly committed to slowing the spread of this disease through social distancing, we cannot encourage our state's residents to converge upon our schools, churches, public buildings, and other polling places on election day.

It is not too late for the Legislature to meet, but two people stand in the way of moving or changing how we administer our election - Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald. I cannot understand why they will not call a meeting of the Legislature to address changes to the election. I do know that their response is irresponsible and shows a flagrant disregard for public health and safety.

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CapitolSeal.pngLegislature Must Convene

This week I joined my Democratic colleagues calling on Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) to immediately convene the legislature to address the COVID-19 crisis. We outlined specific proposals to provide relief to Wisconsin families and small businesses facing personal challenges and economic uncertainty.  Priorities outlined in a letter to Republican leadership align with the robust legislative package proposed by Governor Evers including health care, unemployment insurance, housing, education, elections, and more.

The people of Wisconsin cannot wait any longer for the Legislature to act. I applaud the actions taken by Governor Evers, but his administration cannot solve this crisis alone. COVID-19 knows no partisan bounds, and addressing its impact requires bipartisan solutions. Wisconsinites expect that their elected officials work together to provide support for those who have been negatively impacted. The legislature must act now to address the unprecedented impact and urgent needs of our state’s residents.

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Unemployment Processes Updated

One of the biggest frustrations I have been hearing from constituents has been filing for unemployment benefits. Specifically, when they submit their online application, and then it requires them to call in to verify information and subsequently are not able to get through.

I am happy to share that, as of last Friday, applicants will be notified that Department of Workforce Development (DWD) staff will call them back within three business days to assist them in completing the claim. The Department of Workforce Development has eight claims specialists assigned to making these calls, and are in the process of reassigning more department staff to assist with claims.

DWD has also cleaned up their database, made updates to the online claimant portal, “how to” videos, and the online FAQs. Additionally, they’ve modified policies and programming to allow claimants up to 28 days to complete an initial application. Previously, if a claimant started an initial application and was directed to contact us or and got stuck and needed assistance, they had only 14 days to do so before the system would erase their information. 

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Did You Get My Postcard?

I recently sent my district a postcard that is full of resources for the most up-to-date information on the COVID-19 pandemic, and if you have not already received yours, it should be delivered soon. I am also including an image of it here along with this handy interactive PDF.

 

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Tips to Avoid Charity Scams

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.
  • See how the charity has been rated by watchdog organizations such as the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, and Guidestar.
  • 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.

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Resources for Alzheimer's Caregiversalzheimer's caregiver.png

Caring for an Alzheimer's patient can be incredibly stressful, and with the current pandemic the stress level can only be that much heavier for them. That said, virtually all Alzheimer’s Association programs and services are still available to Wisconsin families. Please check www.alz.org/wi for details on meetings and events. Additionally, their 24/7 Helpline is staffed by trained professionals 800.272.3900.


The following are some links to programs and services – all offered at no charge – that you may find valuable:
Classes and training https://training.alz.org/
Caregivers’ forum and message board https://www.alzconnected.org/
Your roadmap for approaching Alzheimer’s https://www.alzheimersnavigator.org/
Virtual Education Programs  https://www.communityresourcefinder.org/

Helpline:
24/7 Helpline is staffed by trained professionals 800.272.3900

The Alzheimer’s Association will continually reevaluate these measures and resume in-person engagements as soon as they
are able, based on public health guidelines.Until that time, please utilize their resources and know that the Alzheimer’s Association is available to you 24/7 for around-the-clock care and support 800.272.3900.

I'd like to thank the
Alzheimer’s Association Wisconsin Chapter for providing these resources.

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TRUSTED COVID-19 LINKS:

Department of Health Services COVID-19 Site

Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 Information

Governor Evers's COVID-19 Information Hub

US Department of State Travel Advisories

Dept. of Workforce Development COVID-19 FAQs

World Health Organization (WHO) Corona Virus Info

How to Apply for Unemployment in Wisconsin if You get Laid Off because of Coronavirus

NYT Map of Confirmed Corona Virus Cases

Public Health Dane County & City of Madison

County & Tribal Health Officials

 

|  | Rep Subeck's Website 

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