Virtual State Budget Listening Session

I will be hosting a listening session to hear your feedback on the 2021-23 State Budget and to answer your questions about the budget process. Sen. Kelda Roys will be joining us for the listening session scheduled for Tuesday, May 4, from 5:00 to 6:00 PM. To ensure everyone’s health and safety, the listening session will be held virtually on Zoom. Registration is required. Please click here to register in advance of the event.

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Legislative Update: PTSD Legislation and Holocaust Education Act signed into law

This week, Governor Evers signed into law two bills that I have worked on passing during this and past legislative sessions. Passage of both bills was the result of bipartisan work and advocacy from community members over several years.

I traveled to Milwaukee to join the Governor for the signing of the Holocaust Education Act.  This legislation requires instruction on the Holocaust and other genocides be incorporated into the social studies curriculum at least once in grades 5 through 8, and at least once in grades 9 through 12, for all public school districts, independent charter schools, and private schools participating in a parental choice program.

Also this week, the governor signed legislation that ensures first responders have access to mental health care. Our firefighters, police officers, and other first responders frequently come into contact with traumatic incidents through their work, sometimes resulting in post-traumatic stress disorder. This bill is an important step to addressing the unmet mental health needs of those who serve on the frontlines in our community.

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Committee Update: Campaigns and Elections

The Campaigns and Elections Committee met this week for a public hearing on a number of legislative proposals introduced by Republicans, most of which add new hurdles to absentee voting. Among the proposals are measures that endanger the privacy of individuals voting absentee in nursing homes and disallowing the mailing of absentee ballot applications to all voters by the Elections Commission or local clerks. Other proposals would interfere with election administration on election day and increase the risk of voter intimidation by eliminating the minimum distance and decreasing the maximum distance between outside election observers and poll workers or voters. Despite clear evidence Wisconsin’s elections are secure and accurate, there may always be room to improve. Unfortunately, these proposals do more to disenfranchise voters than they do to improve our election administration. 

On a positive note, a couple of bipartisan bills did pass the Campaigns and Elections Committee during our Executive Session this week. They included bills that would allow for public notification of noncandidacy for incumbent local elected officials, allow a home-schooled student to serve as an election inspector, and update the law regarding the publication of Elections Commission meeting minutes.

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COVID-19 Vaccine Update

As of April 30, over 4.4 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Wisconsin, and over 2.5 million Wisconsinites have received at least one dose. Almost 2 million residents have completed the vaccine series. Wisconsin continues to be a leader in the nation in vaccine distribution.

Public Health Madison & Dane County has COVID-19 vaccine appointments available. You can sign up here for an available, drive-thru/walk-thru appointment at the Alliant Energy Center if you have not yet been vaccinated.

The CDC and Wisconsin Department of Health Services have both re-authorized use the Johnson & Johnson one-shot COVID-19 vaccine after its use was paused in mid-April.

All Americans 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.

If you have not done so already, please schedule your vaccination appointment as soon as you are able. The Vaccine Assistance Hotline is available toll-free at 844-684-1064 for assistance with your vaccine-related questions. 

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New Public Health Madison & Dane County Order Issued

On Thursday, Public Health Madison & Dane County issued Emergency Order #16. The order will go into effect on May 5, and expire on June 2. Because Dane County COVID-19 vaccination rates are among the highest in the state, and the number of new cases has stabilized, Emergency Order #16 increases gathering and capacity limits for all businesses.

• Indoor gatherings with food and drink: Limited to 350 or less, with physical distancing except when in transit (up from 150).
• Indoor gatherings without food and drink: Limited to 500 people or less, with physical distancing, except when in transit (up from 350).
• Outdoor gatherings: Numbers are limited to ensure people who don’t live together can maintain six feet physical distancing at all times, except when in transit.
• Face coverings are not required when actively playing an instrument that has a bell cover, as long as people are six feet apart at all times.
• Restaurants and taverns indoor dine-in capacity may be up to 75% of approved seating capacity, with physical distancing (up from 50% for restaurants and 25% for taverns).
• Businesses must limit the number of individuals inside their establishment to 75% of approved capacity levels indoors (up from 50%).

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Wisconsin Fun Fact

Since 1955, Wisconsin’s state fish has been the muskellunge or “muskie.” This enormous fish can weigh up to 70 pounds and can stretch to be over 3 feet long. The muskie can be found in both small and large lakes around the state. The best time to fish for muskie in Wisconsin is between May and December. In Hayward, there is fiberglass sculpture of the muskie, the largest sculpture of any fish in the world, at the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum. You can even walk right up into the muskie.

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