Good luck to our Milwaukee Bucks as they play in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday at 8 pm. It has been an exciting post-season, and I look forward to some more Bucks wins.
In this week's newsletter, you will find news from the Governor’s office on workforce investment grants, a warning about a tax collection scam, information on the federal child tax credits, and more.
If you have any questions or need assistance with any matter, please feel free to contact my office.
Governor Evers Announces $130 Million Investment in Workforce Solutions
Gov. Tony Evers announced Wednesday that the state will invest $130 million into solutions to help address post-pandemic workforce needs. The announcement comes as Wisconsin continues to be a national leader in vaccination of our residents and has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country.
Under the Governor’s plan, funds will be invested in developing Wisconsin’s workforce via three key programs. The resources will support both connecting unemployed or underemployed workers with new opportunities and incentivizing innovative solutions to regional workforce challenges that have been exacerbated by the pandemic. These programs include:
$100 million for the Workforce Innovation grant program, which will provide regional and community resources to develop leading-edge, long-term solutions to the workforce challenges the state faces in the wake of COVID-19
$20 million toward the Worker Advancement Initiative, which will offer subsidized employment and skills training opportunities with local employers to unemployed individuals
$10 million for a Worker Connection Program, which will provide workforce career coaches who will connect with individuals attempting to reengage in the workforce post-pandemic.
WEDC, DWD, and the Department of Administration will combine forces and expertise to administer the Workforce Innovation program, which will offer up to $10 million in grants to at least 10 local and regional collaborations which develop proposals that represent innovative thinking, data-driven planning and leverage existing infrastructures to connect the dots for post-pandemic workforce solutions. The program will fund initiatives to help businesses find workers and workers connect to better, higher quality and more family-sustaining jobs. Grant funds could be used to meet local workforce needs resulting from or exacerbated by the pandemic, such as childcare, transit, worker attraction and retention, or housing, and may be used to support initiatives like training, planning, marketing, or developing pilot programs that can be applied in other communities.
The grants will be funded with federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars, which are available to support investments to address the ongoing economic impact of COVID-19.
Wisconsin taxpayers should be alert to suspicious mailings regarding tax collection. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) has received reports from multiple counties of individuals receiving fraudulent letters related to tax collection cases.
Identify these letters by looking for:
A return address listing the “Benefits Suspension Unit,” a Wisconsin county, and “Public Judgement Records.”
A fake government seal with an image of the U.S. in a circle, rather than a state, county, or municipality seal.
A paid postage mark indicating the letter originates from Los Angeles, CA.
There is no information on remitting payment, only a number to call to “avoid enforcement.”
If you have questions about the status of your tax payment or question the authenticity of a letter, phone call, or email you receive that claims to be from a government agency, contact that agency directly to inquire. Always contact the agency using a phone number or email address that you know to be accurate – never use the contact information provided by the questionable communication.
President Biden’s American Rescue plan, passed earlier this year, includes an expansion of the Child Tax Credit. Eligible families can receive between $250 and $300 per month until at least the end of the year. Distribution of payments began on July 15.
All working families will get the full credit if they make up to $150,000 for a couple or $112,500 for a family with a single parent (also called head of household).
The Child Tax Credit has been expanded to $3,000 per child 6-17 years old and $3,600 per child under 6.
Roughly 39 million households – covering 65 million children (nearly 90% of children in the United States) – will automatically receive the new child tax credit.
Payments will be monthly (via direct deposit for 80% of families and through the mail for the others) – at $250 per child between 6-17 or $300 per child under 6.
Low-income families with children are eligible for this crucial tax relief – including those who have not made enough money to be required to file taxes. If a couple makes under $24,800, a head of household makes under $18,650, or a single filer makes under $12,400, and they have not filed their taxes, there is a simple, easy tool to sign up for the Child Tax Credit.
The IRS has launched a simplified online tool which will allow families not automatically enrolled in the program to receive the Child Tax Credit.
This week, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, along with Sens. Ossoff and Warnock of Georgia, introduced new legislation to provide critical health care coverage to more than four million Americans who had previously been denied access to affordable health insurance because they live in states like Wisconsin that have failed to accept federal funds to expand healthcare access.
The Medicaid Saves Lives Act would provide health insurance to Americans with low incomes in the 12 states that have refused to fully expand their state Medicaid programs under the Affordable Care Act. By closing the coverage gap in these states and providing free and affordable health insurance to millions of Americans, the Medicaid Saves Lives Act would also provide access to preventative health care services; improve health outcomes and prevent premature deaths; lower costs for uncompensated care, which would in turn reduce hospital and provider closures; and improve economic mobility for Americans with low-incomes by enabling them to work.
In Wisconsin, the refusal of Republicans in the Legislature to fully expand Medicaid has left 91,000 uninsured or underinsured Wisconsinites without access to affordable, comprehensive coverage through BadgerCare and has resulted in the loss of $1.6 billion in federal funding.
Where Wisconsin Republicans have failed, Sen. Baldwin is stepping up to introduce federal legislation that would help thousands of Wisconsinites gain access to critical health care.
All twelve of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s sites and museums will soon be open to the public for the first time in almost two years. There is plenty of summer weather left to explore Wisconsin history through sensory-rich, engaging, and immersive environments and exhibits where history comes alive.
Sites already open:
Other sites reopening soon:
Black Point Estate & Gardens
July 22 - Madeline Island Museum
Circus World
July 29 - H.H. Bennett Studio & Museum
Old World Wisconsin
July 31 - Reed School
Wisconsin Historical Museum
Aug. 7 - First Capitol
Aug. 20 - Pendarvis, Stonefield, Villa Louis, Wade House
Shirley Martin was raised in Rib Lake, Wisconsin, and moved to Milwaukee in 1943 to compete in softball and basketball. Martin was an all-around athlete, playing basketball, softball, and field hockey until she reached her 60s. She also served as a coach, as well as a player, for much of her four decade career. Her legacy has earned Martin her rightful spot in the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame, an honor she was granted in 1998. To honor her extraordinary career and dedication to athletics, the Women’s Sports Advocates of Wisconsin granted Martin a first ever lifetime achievement award in 1990.
Things happening in the district & around Madison:
Bird and Nature Outing: Warner Park
Sunday, July 18
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Warner Park
2930 N Sherman Ave
Madison, WI
Enjoy an informal family and kid-friendly nature walk around the scenic Warner Pond lagoon and across Castle Creek to discover the wetlands, woods, and prairie in the Wild Side of Warner Park and the birds and other creatures that call it home! Walks at Warner Park held on the 3rd Sunday every month are co-sponsored by Madison Bird City FUN partners Wild Warner and Madison Audubon. Meet at the colorful Warner Park Shelter by the lagoon. Parking is available nearby. No registration required. No pets are allowed.
It Takes A Village Community Resource Fair
Tuesday, July 20
12 PM – 5 PM
Penn Park
2101 Fisher St
Madison, WI 53713
The goal of this event is to provide information for local families about community services available in their neighborhood, as well as connecting youth and the wider community with public servants in a low-stress, pressure-less environment. Kids can interact with Madison Police officers who will be bringing squad cars, horses and a drone, as well as a fire truck from local Fire Station #6 that will be on-site from 2-3 p.m. Bubbler artists will be at the event to offer creative activities for youth and adults throughout. Come reconnect with your community!https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/events/it-takes-village-community-resource-fair-1241042
Pope Farm Conservancy Annual Tour: History of the Land
Wednesday, July 21
6 PM - 7:30 PM
Pope Farm Conservancy
7440 Old Sauk Rd
Verona, WI 53593
Join Mel Pope for a talk about Pope Farm Conservancy. Learn about the purpose of the conservancy, its features, and the history of the land. From agriculture to prairies to woodlands, Mel will talk about the conservancy’s importance as a natural area for people to connect with the land and as a protected habitat for birds and wildlife. Pack your camera and some mosquito repellent; and be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes.
Movies with Madison Parks: Godzilla vs. Kong
Thursday, July 22
6 PM - 8 PM
Elver Park
1250 McKenna Boulevard
Madison, WI
Grab a blanket or bring a lawn chair and enjoy the free show! In partnership with the City of Madison'sNeighborhood Resource Teams (NRT), presenting free movies at parks throughout the city! All are welcome! In partnership with Wisconsin Youth Company, concessions will be available for purchase. Your Snack Gives Back! Elver Park and Theresa Terrace Neighborhood Centers, operated by Wisconsin Youth Company, will sell concessions 4:30-7:30 pm and provide outdoor activities for children and families before the movie. All concession sales go toward supporting children with opportunities to thrive outside of the school day and increased access to community resources. Concessions include beverages, snacks and candy.
Teen Outdoor Movie: 90’s Night
Friday, June 23
8:45 PM - 10:45 PM
Verona Public Library
500 Silent St
Verona, WI 53593
Snack on some popcorn while you watch Men in Black on a big screen in our parking lot theater! Feel free to dress in your best 90's alien-catching attire. What to bring: mosquito armor, blanket for cooler night temperatures, and a camp chair (some will be provided). Either bring a mask or be prepared to social distance.
Your neighborhood, vendor-run, community farmers’ market featuring a diverse selection of fresh produce, Wisconsin cheese and meats, honey, eggs, fresh bakery, cut flowers, plants, hand-crafted foods and more, all from Wisconsin farmers & food artisans.
