Republican Gerrymander 2.0 Passes Assembly on Party-Line Vote

On Thursday, the State Assembly passed the Republicans’ proposed legislative and congressional maps. The State Senate previously passed these gerrymandered maps on Monday. In both chambers, the maps passed on a party-line vote. Governor Evers has promised to veto these maps, which will send the redistricting process to the courts.

Unfortunately, these maps drawn by the Republicans are just a minor retooling of the current maps, which are considered some of the most politically gerrymandered maps in the country. These maps were clearly drawn by Republican leadership with the intent of consolidating and maintaining their own power for the next ten years.

Republicans in the Wisconsin legislature will do anything to hold onto power and insulate themselves from the accountability of democracy. No political party should be able to rig the maps to stay in power, but that is what Republicans are trying to do. People should have the power to choose who represents them, not the other way around.

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News from the Assembly Floor

In addition to redistricting, the Assembly voted on a number of other proposed bills. This was the last regular floor session that is currently scheduled for 2021, meaning that the next meeting of the full legislature will likely be in January.

Other bills passed on Thursday include:

+ SB 489- makes various changes to the process for applying for financial assistance under the Clean Water Fund Program and the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program. This bill passed on a voice vote.

+ SB 588- modifies various insurance statutes. This bill passed on a voice vote.

+ AB 682- authorizes the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to award grants to Verso Paper Mill in Wisconsin Rapids, and Park Falls Pulp and Paper Mill in Park Falls. This bill passed 96-2.

+ SBs 71 & 94- create storage, processing, and tracking mechanisms for sexual assault kits. I have worked with colleagues for the last couple of legislative session to get these bills passed, and I am pleased that they are finally moving forward. They both passed the Assembly on a voice vote.

You can find Thursday’s full agenda here.

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COVID-19 Update

Children 5-11 years old are now eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine following approval of the FDA and CDC. The Pfizer vaccine requires two doses 21 days apart for full protection, and is the first and only vaccine currently available for this age group.

Parents and guardians of children ages 5-11 can schedule a vaccination using a variety of options, including with their health care provider, at community-based vaccination clinics, local and tribal health departments, or pharmacies. You can sign yourself or your child up for a vaccine appointment here in Dane county here.  Parents and guardians can learn more by visiting the COVID-19: Resources for Parents and Guardians page or by calling 844-684-1064.

Additionally, Public Health Madison & Dane County’s Face Covering Emergency Order #4 went into effect on November 5 and continues the previous order requiring face coverings for people ages two and older when in any enclosed space open to the public where other people, except for members of the person’s own household or living unit, are present and while driving or riding in any form of public transportation. This order will expire on November 27, and PHMDC does not currently plan to replace it with further mask requirements.

The CDC has also recommended that people 65 and older and certain populations who are at high risk of COVID-19 who have received the a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine receive a booster shot at least six months after the completion of their vaccine primary series. This decision follows FDA authorization of boosters for these groups.

DHS recommends that the following populations SHOULD receive a booster dose of Pfizer at least 6 months after receiving their second dose of Pfizer in order to further strengthen their immunity:

• People 65 years and older
• All residents in long-term care
• People ages 18 and older with certain underlying medical conditions

DHS also recommends that anyone 18 years of age or older who received a one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine receive a booster at least 2 months after receiving their first dose in order to further strengthen their immunity.

For more information, view the DHS news release on COVID-19 booster shots.

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Alternate Side Parking Begins November 15 in Madison

The City of Madison’s alternate side parking restrictions begin at 1 a.m. on Sunday, November 15, 2021.

Alternate side parking is in effect each night from November 15, 2021 to March 15, 2022. This parking rule is only enforced between the hours of 1:00am and 7:00am.

If you park on the street within Snow Emergency Zone, you only need to follow the alternate side parking rule when a Declared Snow Emergency is in effect.

If you park on the street outside of the Snow Emergency Zone, you should follow the alternate side parking rules each night from November 15 until March 15.

You can learn more about Madison winter parking here.

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Wisconsin History Fact

November is Native American Heritage Month

There were at least eleven different American Indian Boarding Schools that operated throughout Wisconsin during the 19^th and 20^th centuries. Through the use of physical force and abuse, the goal of these schools was to assimilate Native American students into European-American culture. These schools were run by government, church, or other private organizations. 

The boarding schools that existed in Wisconsin include:

• Mary's Indian Boarding School, Bad River Reservation, Odanah
• Bayfield Boarding School, Bayfield
• Bethany Mission, Wittenberg
• The Red Springs Indian Mission, Gresham
• Good Shepherd Industrial School, Milwaukee
• Hayward Indian Boarding School, Hayward
• Joseph's Industrial School, Keshena
• Government Boarding School, Lac du Flambeau
• Oneida Boarding School, Oneida Reservation, Oneida
• Tomah Indian Industrial School, Tomah
• Winnebago Indian Mission School of the Evangelical and Reformed Church, Black River Falls (1917-1921), Neillsville (after 1921)

Almost all of these schools were extremely underfunded and understaffed, and the students endured militant conditions with extremely poor sanitary care and medical care. Students were mostly taught Catholicism and were not given any religious freedom. Fueled by racism, sexism, and immense corruption, these American Indian Boarding Schools serve as a reminder of the harsh cruelties that Native Americans have faced both in Wisconsin and throughout North America.

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