Last week, there was no e-update due to some IT difficulties the legislature has seem to have now resolved. However, in this week's e-update, you will find information from Assembly Session this week, legislation I recently introduced, details on the upcoming Spring Primary, and more!
Additionally, you may have heard this week that Legislative Republicans were planning to repeal Governor Evers's mask order, but postponed that when they learned of $48 million in federal dollars at stake. Unfortunately, the mask debate is far from over, please show your support for wearing masks by signing this petition.
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
On Tuesday, the Wisconsin State Assembly considered bipartisan compromise legislation to address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through bipartisan negotiations, the bill passed the Republican controlled Senate almost unanimously, and has the support of Governor Evers. Regrettably, Assembly Republicans again delayed COVID-19 relief by rejecting the bipartisan compromise and making their own unilateral changes to the bill.
For nearly nine months, Republicans have done nothing to address the very real challenges our communities, families, and small businesses face every day due to the pandemic. Now, Speaker Vos and his Republican caucus have once again left Wisconsinites waiting for critical COVID-19 relief in the name of political gamesmanship.
Our communities, families, and small businesses cannot afford to wait a day longer. Assembly Republicans ignored their constituents today when they rejected a strong bipartisan compromise, again delaying needed action and putting up another roadblock on Wisconsin’s road to recovery.
On Thursday, the Assembly took up Assembly Bill 4 (AB 4) and Assembly Bill 5 (AB 5). These were both bills that had come before the Health Committee. AB 4 allows pharmacy students who have taken a vaccine administration course to be able to vaccinate patients under the supervision of certain medical providers. The other bill, AB 5, set out an unreasonable timeline for vaccine distribution. The largest hurdles in the early phase of vaccine distribution have been mismanagement by the Trump Administration and inadequate supply. As of now, Wisconsin has only been receiving around 70,000 doses per week from the federal government. That falls far short of what we need.
Last Friday on the 48th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, I introduced the Abortion Rights Preservation Act with Sen. Kelda Roys. This legislation recognizes that providing abortion is health care, not criminal activity. This bill would modernize Wisconsin law so that the state treats abortion care like all health care, with regulations that reflect current medical standards.
Because the current makeup of the US Supreme Court threatens the future of Roe v. Wade, it is time to repeal Wisconsin's archaic criminal abortion ban of 1849. The Abortion Rights Preservation Act would preserve the rights of Wisconsin women to make personal health care decisions without interference from politicians, no matter what.
DHS Announces Eligible Groups for COVID-19 Vaccine
Today, the Department of Health Services (DHS) announced future groups that will be eligible tentatively beginning March 1, 2021. Groups are being prioritized due to an increased risk of exposure or vulnerability to COVID-19 and are consistent with the recommendations from the State Disaster Medical Assistance Committee (SDMAC). The groups in priority order include education and child care, individuals enrolled in Medicaid long-term care programs, some public-facing essential workers, non-frontline health care essential personnel, and facility staff and residents in congregate living settings.
March 1 is a tentative date, dependent on vaccine supply from the federal government. If vaccine supply increases from the federal government, these populations may be eligible before March 1. However, if vaccine supply decreases, they may be eligible after March 1. Currently, Wisconsin is receiving about 70,000 vaccine doses from the federal government weekly.
Due to a limited supply of vaccine, SDMAC prioritized groups for eligibility. These recommendations come after SDMAC reviewed the science and considered nearly 5,000 public comments to provide guidance that equitably distributes the vaccine across the state.
As the federal government allocates more vaccine to Wisconsin, populations eligible for COVID-19 vaccination will continue to expand. DHS is working to get COVID-19 vaccine to Wisconsinites as equitably, quickly, and safely as possible.
To learn if you are eligible for the vaccine and where you can get vaccinated, visit Wisconsin’s Vaccine Phases and Eligibility webpage. For information, resources, and data related to Wisconsin’s COVID-19 vaccination program, visit the COVID-19 vaccine webpage.
*Information courtesy of Wisconsin Department of Health Services
This week, The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) announced that recent federal legislation has extended the federal eviction moratorium. This extension now runs through March 31st. COVID-19 has brought on housing insecurity for many people in Wisconsin.
To invoke the moratorium, tenants, lessees, or residents of residential properties must provide a signed copy of the declaration form provided by the CDC (or a similar declaration) to their landlord or residential property owner. Each adult listed on the lease, rental agreement, or housing contract must provide their own separate declaration.
The federal legislation that extends this CDC order also includes $25 billion in emergency rental assistance for states and local governments. Renters who are eligible for this assistance may use the funding to help pay rent or utility bills. As more information on this federal emergency rental assistance becomes available, DATCP will update its Landlord Tenant COVID-19 FAQs.
The federal eviction moratorium does not exempt tenants from their obligations to pay rent and follow the terms of their lease. Tenants are still required to pay their rent and may still be evicted for reasons other than not paying rent. Landlords may still charge and collect late fees, penalties, or interest. The order also does not change Wisconsin law that prohibits housing discrimination. If you believe you have been a victim of housing discrimination, contact the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development’s (DWD) Equal Rights Division.
*Information provided by Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection.
On Tuesday, February 16, 2021, Wisconsinites will once again have the opportunity to have their voices heard at the polls.
The major statewide race on the ballot in this election is for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. There are currently seven candidates running, and the top two vote earners will move on to the Spring General Election on April 6, 2021. Voters will also have the opportunity to vote for candidates running for local and judicial offices as well.
Registration by mail and online has closed, but you can still register at the city clerk’s office and on Election Day. Beginning Tuesday, February 2nd, through February 12th, you have the option to early vote in-person at several locations around the city. If you already have an absentee ballot, you can drop it off at one of 14 secure lock box locations around the city.
For more information or to find your polling place, you can visit myvote.wi.gov or the City of Madison Clerk’s website.
On Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at 2924 Fish Hatchery Rd. Fitchburg, WI 53713 there will be a give away of food boxes. These boxes are free and will be given away on a first come first serve bases while supplies last (1,000-1,200 boxes will be available). Distribution will begin at 10 AM.
The USDA Farmers to Families has partnered with City on a Hill to give away boxes of fresh produce, dairy, meat, and milk. For more information visit here.
Don Ameche was born Dominic Felix Amici on May 31, 1908, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Ameche attended Marquette University, Loras College, and UW-Madison. He had intended to study law but found theater more interesting and decided on a stage career. He was married to Honore Prendergast from 1932 until she passed away in 1986, and they had six children.
Ameche did a tour in vaudeville before making his film debut in an uncredited bit part in the 1935 film Dantes Inferno. His first leading role was in the 1936 film Sins of Man. In 1939, he starred as Alexander Graham Bell in the film The Story of Alexander Graham Bell. In 1943, he reportedly earned $247,677, making him the second-highest earner at 20th Century Fox after its president, Spyros Skouras. He began to star in radio programs, such as Empire Builders, The First Nighter Program, Family Theater, and Betty and Bob in the late 1940s.
Ameche began appearing in television in the 1950s and continued to have TV roles throughout the 1960s and early 1970s. He appeared in The Frances Langford-Don Ameche Show, Fire One, The DuPont Show of the Month, Climax, Petticoat Junction, Burkes Law, To Tell the Truth, McCloud, Quincy M.E., The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, and Colombo.
In 1983, Amache and fellow veteran actor Ralph Bellamy were cast in the film Trading Places, alongside Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy. He won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the 1985 film Cocoon. In 1990, Ameche played Betty White's father on an episode of The Golden Girls.
On December 6, 1993, he died at his son Don Jr.'s house in Scottsdale, AZ due to prostate cancer. His final film, released in 1994, was Corrina, Corrina, in which he played Grandpa Harry alongside Whoopi Goldberg and Ray Liotta.
