Welcome to the latest edition of my newsletter. I am pleased that this week, the Assembly overwhelmingly passed the Holocaust Education bill I have been working on for the last few years. Read on for more information on this legislation and its next steps.
This week’s newsletter also contains information on the Governor’s action to preserve federal FoodShare relief, updates on the state budget, the latest vaccine information, and more.
Additionally, if you wish to testify virtually before the Joint Finance Committee, you will find all of the details at the bottom of this email.
If you have any questions or need assistance with any matter, please feel free to contact my office.
The Assembly unanimously passed Senate Bill 69, a bill I authored which would will require instruction on the Holocaust and other genocides to be incorporated into the social studies curriculum at least once in grades 5 to 8 and again in grades 9 to 12. The bill has passed both the Senate and Assembly, and it will now head to Governor Evers for his signature.
At a time when hate incidents against minority groups are on the rise and with the FBI recording increases in the number of hate crimes and the level of violence utilized in these crimes, this bill is vitally important. Educating future generations about the most horrific events in our history could be the one thing that stands in the way of history repeating itself. Thank you to the Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center, which has committed to the state to provide materials and support at no additional cost to schools.
In addition to the Holocaust Education Bill, the Assembly also passed Assembly Joint Resolution 33, which proclaims May 2021 as Jewish American Heritage Month and Assembly Joint Resolution 31 recognizing Holocaust Remembrance Day
On Tuesday, the Assembly voted on a bill package that would dictate the spending of billions of dollars that the federal government allocated to Wisconsin as a part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). These Republican bills are purely political, hastily drafted, and may not event comply with federal requirements. This naked power grab, if it becomes law, would undercut the governor’s authority and ability to target the most significant needs for relief as they arise.
Gov. Evers has invested Wisconsin’s CARES Act dollars wisely over the past year, ensuring relief reached our hardworking families, small businesses, health care providers, child care centers, and others who need it the most. He could do this because he had the flexibility under the authority given by the federal government to allocate these funds where they were most needed. Unfortunately, Republicans have chosen to politicize COVID relief. I am confident that the governor will continue putting the people of Wisconsin first as he puts federal ARPA funds to use in our state.
Evers and Biden Administrations Preserve FoodShare Relief
Governor Tony Evers has announced that his administration reached a deal with the United States Department of Agriculture to preserve federal FoodShare funding that goes directly to Wisconsinites in need during our public health and economic emergency. This funding was in jeopardy and hungry individuals, including seniors and families with children, stood to lose a substantial chunk of their FoodShare dollars because of last month’s action by the Wisconsin Supreme Court ending Wisconsin’s public health emergency order.
In the face of constant politicization of the pandemic by Republican legislators in Wisconsin, it is reassuring to know that Governor Evers and President Biden are working together to put people first. The agreement reached works to put food directly on the tables of Wisconsinites struggling to make ends meet in the face of the pandemic and its economic fallout.
The Campaigns and Elections Committee held a hearing this week on a series of bills that would complicate election administration and which could make it harder for people to vote absentee. Some of the bills heard are part of a longer list of Republican proposals based on the fundamentally untrue narrative that our 2020 presidential election was not fair. Yet, the results of this election were upheld through the official statewide canvass, recounts in our largest counties, and multiple court challenges.
Some of the proposals would lead to the rejection of more absentee votes, potential intimidation by observers, and a lack of resources needed for election administration. None of these would assist in assuring elections run smoothly, and some could even have the opposite effect. Our goal should be to protect the right of everyone to vote and to make it as easy as possible to exercise that right. Unfortunately, the Republican majority in the Legislature has joined the ranks of their counterparts elsewhere in the country on a crusade to disenfranchise those who they see as least likely to vote their way.
Two of my Republican colleagues and I are circulating for co-sponsorship two bills aimed squarely at keeping guns out of the hands of those who should not have them. We introduced our bipartisan proposals late in the last legislative session and are reintroducing them this session.
The first bill would prohibit anyone convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence from possessing a firearm. While this is currently law at the federal level, it is often not prosecuted because local prosecutors cannot make the charge at the state level. Our bill would resolve that challenge.
Our second proposal, also modeled after current federal law, would prohibit fugitives from purchasing a firearm. Currently, due to our lack of a state law addressing this, fugitives from justice are not reported to the federal background check system (NICS) used for handgun and concealed carry licenses checks. Our proposal would allow prosecution at the state level and close the loophole that currently does not require fugitives from justice in Wisconsin be included in the background check system.
As of April 16, over 3.7 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Wisconsin, and nearly 2.4 million Wisconsinites have received at least one dose. Around 1.5 million residents have completed the vaccine series. Wisconsin continues to be a leader in the nation in vaccine distribution.
This week, on advice from the CDC and FDA, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services paused the distribution of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine in Wisconsin. The Janssen vaccine, which has been administered to 6.85 million Americans, had caused blood clots in 6 women (0.0000876%). Health officials indicate they are pausing its use while investigating the issue but emphasize the frequency of reports is very low. For now, they ask that individuals continue to get vaccinated with the other available vaccines. In Wisconsin, just 4% of vaccines distributed have been the Janssen vaccine. Wisconsin will continue to forge ahead with the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.
All Wisconsinites age 16 and up are now eligible for the vaccine. It is important to note that 16 and 17-year-olds may only get the Pfizer vaccination, as it is the only one currently approved for that age group. The supply of vaccines continues to grow. Still, demand continues to outpace the number of vaccines coming into the state, so please remain patient as our health professionals work to get everyone vaccinated as quickly as possible.
As a reminder, the Vaccine Assistance Hotline is available. Wisconsinites can call toll-free at 844-684-1064 for personal assistance with their vaccine-related questions.
Flex Lane Project Continues on the Beltline with Ramp and Lane Closures
Earlier this week, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation closed the left lane of the eastbound Beltline between the Whitney Way and Verona Road. This closure is expected to last through April 24.
This weekend, frontage road traffic adjacent to the Beltline between Todd Drive and the Cannonball Path overpass will be restricted to one-way as crews complete pavement repairs along these sections of frontage roads. Traffic on the north side of the Beltline will be westbound only, and south of the Beltline will be eastbound only. Two-way traffic on the frontage roads will resume by 5 a.m. on April 19.
Starting April 19, all Beltline interchange ramps at Monona Drive will be closed until early June. There will be no access permitted on Monona Drive between the Beltline and Broadway. Alternates, such as the Beltline and South Towne/West Broadway interchange, will need to be utilized.
As we move into spring, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced updates regarding the State Park System. These updates include concession operations at 50% capacity, and capacity limits for many places, such as outdoor campgrounds, will be increased to 100 people. Playgrounds and observation towers will also open. These changes will begin April 30. Operations such as family camping and accessible cabins remain in place and will not be affected by these changes. When visiting our beautiful Wisconsin parks, be mindful of the weather and rain and seek updates from the Department of Natural Resources regarding park conditions.
“The mountains are calling, and I must go”- John Muir.
John Muir was born in Scotland in 1838 but moved to Marquette County, Wisconsin when he was around ten years old. He went on to study at UW- Madison but never completed a degree program. Muir left Wisconsin in 1864 to study the environment all over the United States and Canada. He also co-founded the Sierra Club in 1892, an organization that pushes for environmental protection and conservation. Muir had a profound impact on our protecting our national parks and advocating for better treatment of the environment. In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt accompanied Muir on a tour of Yosemite National Park. Muir died in California on December 24, 1914, of pneumonia.
In-person public hearings will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 5 p.m. The format will be similar to past hearings and attendees will be asked to fill out a form upon arrival to be added to the queue to testify. Venue management will monitor capacity, spacing, etc.
Pre-registration will be required for the virtual hearing. The registration process and details are in development and will be released as soon as possible via the new JFC website, which is also a portal for constituents to provide input: www.legis.wisconsin.gov/topics/budgetcomments. The JFC has also developed a dedicated email address for input only: budget.comments@legis.wisconsin.gov.
*Registration begins Monday, April 19, at 10 AM.
Governor Evers's Budget Listening Sessions
Badger Bounceback Live Session Climate Change & Our Environment
Wed., April 21, 2021, at 6 p.m. Register to attend here.
The Badger Bounceback Live Session on Climate Change & Our Environment will cover topics such as investing in stewardship and making public lands more accessible, addressing lead poisoning prevention, keeping our water clean, addressing climate change and the climate crisis, and protecting our state’s natural resources.
Save the Date: Rep. Lisa Subeck Virtual Budget Listening Session
Watch next week's e-update for more information.
Date: Tuesday, May 4, 2021 Time: TBD/evening Location: Zoom