Thank you for reading the latest edition of my e-newsletter. This week’s update includes information related to the introduction of a Wisconsin Equal Rights Amendment, upcoming state budget listening sessions, COVID-19 vaccines, and more.
Please remember that Daylight Savings Time begins this Sunday, so you will need to move your clocks ahead by one hour. While I never like to lose an hour of sleep, I do look forward to the longer days.
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
Monday was International Women’s Day, and my Democratic colleagues and I introduced an Equal Rights Amendment to the Wisconsin State Constitution. All Wisconsinites should have equal rights and protection under the law, no matter what, and our proposed amendment would guarantee equal rights on the basis of sex, gender identity, race, color, sexual orientation, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, family status, age, ancestry, or any other immutable characteristic.
COVID-19 Update New Vaccine Eligibility , New Dane County Order
As of March 12, nearly 1.9 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Wisconsin, and almost 1.2 million Wisconsinites have had at least one dose.
As vaccine phases overlap, not all individuals from previously eligible groups will have been vaccinated as new groups are added. Vaccine supply is still limited, so those in eligible groups may not be able to immediately schedule or attain a vaccination. Please continue to remain patient as our health professionals work to get individuals vaccinated as quickly as possible.
This week, DHS announced that beginning on March 29, vaccine eligibility will open to individuals age 16 and over with the following medical conditions:
Asthma (moderate-to-severe)
Cancer
Cerebrovascular disease
Chronic kidney disease
COPD
Cystic fibrosis
Down syndrome
Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
Hypertension or high blood pressure
Immunocompromised state from solid organ transplant, blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines
Liver disease
Neurologic conditions, such as dementia
Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30-39 kg/m2)
Overweight (BMI of 25-29 kg/m2)
Pregnancy
Pulmonary fibrosis (having damaged or scarred lung tissues)
Severe Obesity (BMI 40 kg/m2 or more)
Sickle cell disease
Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus
Thalassemia
Keep in mind that vaccinators may need to prioritize populations within this group depending on vaccine supply.
Public Health Madison & Dane County recently issued Emergency Order #14, which went into effect on March 10, and expires on April 7. There are a number of changes in Order 14 compared to Order 13. Check out Public Health's blog post "What's Allowed in Emergency Order #14?" for what is now allowed, and more information and answers to commonly asked questions.
As a reminder, the Vaccine Assistance Hotline is available. Wisconsinites can call toll-free 844-684-1064 for personal assistance with their vaccine-related questions.
This week the Assembly Health Committee voted on legislation that would allow dentists to administer COVID and flu vaccines. This bill could make vaccines more accessible to those who need them. The bill is scheduled for a vote of the full Assembly on Tuesday.
Interactive Directory for Workforce Services Now Available
This week, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) launched a new interactive directory of services to connect Wisconsinites with workforce programs in their area. The new Directory of Workforce Services provides information online by county for workforce programs provided by DWD, the Wisconsin Technical College System, local workforce development boards, and their contractors and partners.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the way many workforce services are provided. Prior to the pandemic, job seekers and employers were directed to physical Job Center locations to learn about the different workforce services in their area. The Directory of Workforce Service offers a virtual list of available services across agencies in an easy-to-use map that allows job seekers and employers to learn more about workforce programs in a safe way.
The following services will be provided in the directory:
Job Search Assistance
Employment Services for Veterans
Services for Laid Off Workers
Services for Workers Laid Off Due to Foreign Trade
Extensive Career and Training Services
Services for Youth and Young Adults
Adult Educational Programs
Employment Services for Individuals with Disabilities
You can access the directory here (*Note: Firefox browser not recommended to access directory at this time).
Last Friday, I spoke at a virtual roundtable to members of the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin. Other panelists included Senators Jon Erpenbach and Patrick Testin. We discussed COVID-19 vaccine rollout and the challenges that individuals and pharmacies are experiencing are because of a lack of adequate vaccine supply, as well as various health-related items in the governor’s proposed budget including Badgercare expansion to increase access to affordable care.
Recently, Attorney General Josh Kaul and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) alerted Wisconsinites of scams relating to COVID-19. These scams can come in a variety of different forms, including robocalls, text messages, postings on social media sites, and more. The aim of these fraudsters is the same: to steal consumers’ money, sensitive personal information, or both.
You can keep scammers at bay using these tips:
Do not give out your personal or financial information.
Don't click on links in unsolicited emails or text messages.
You should not have to pay out of pocket to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Use reliable sources for the most current information.
If you have been targeted by a COVID-19 scam, you can report the scam to DATCP's Consumer Protection Hotline at (800) 422-7128, or email datcphotline@wisconsin.gov, or visit www.datcp.wi.gov.
Forward Wisconsin is a project of the Wisconsin Assembly Democrats to life the voices of Wisconsinites who believe our state budget should work for everyone. The COVID-19 pandemic has created new challenges for Wisconsin families and small businesses, and now is the time to invest in an economic recovery that benefits all of us. Through the Forward Wisconsin initiative, we are hosting virtual meetings and listening sessions to hear your feedback on our next state budget.
The next event will be held on March 17, and will focus on climate, environment, and equal rights. Sessions focusing on education and childcare, and criminal justice reform and democracy were held earlier this month.
Upcoming Meeting Dates/Topics:
March 17 at 7 pm: Climate, Environment and Equal Rights
March 24 at 7 pm: Healthcare
March 31 at 7 pm: Economy and Infrastructure
Click here to sign up for updates and event invitations.
Wisconsin Fun Fact Celebrating Women’s History Month
Zona Gale was born on August 26, 1874 in Portage, WI. Her first published work, “Bob” was published in the Milwaukee Evening Wisconsin when she was 16. She later attended the University of Wisconsin, where she received a Bachelor of Literature, and two master's degrees. She would later serve as a regent of UW.
Gale published her first novel, Romance Island, in 1906, and began her popular “Friendship Village” series, which were stories based upon Portage, and general small town life. In 1920, she published the novel Miss Lulu Bett. She adapted it as a play, which was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1921. She was the first woman to win that prize. After the deaths of her parents, her writings generally moved away from realism, and into more mysticism.
Gale was very involved in the politics of her time. She supported the La Follettes, the National Woman’s Party, Lucy Stone League, the American Union Against Militarism, the Fellowship of Reconciliation, the Women's Peace Society, and general racial equity.
Gale married and adopted her two daughters later in life. She passed away on December 27, 1938, in Chicago and is buried in Portage.
Jt. Finanace Committee State Budget Public Hearings
Earlier this week, the Committee on Joint Finance announced the dates and locations of their upcoming public hearings.
Friday, April 9, 2021 (UW-Whitewater, Whitewater, WI)
Wednesday, April 21, 2021 (The Hodag Dome, Rhinelander, WI)
Thursday, April 22, 2021 (UW-Stout, Menomonie, WI)
Wednesday, April 28, 2021 (Virtual)
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.
Governor Evers's Listening Session
Badger Bounceback Live Session on Economic Recovery & Opportunity
Thurs., March 18, 2021, at 6 p.m. Register to attend here.
The Badger Bounceback Live Session on Economic Recovery & Opportunity will cover topics such as ensuring our economy can recover and bounce back from this pandemic, including investing in and support small businesses, kickstarting innovation and startups, ensuring tax fairness and providing tax relief for Wisconsin’s working families, and investing in our agricultural economy and rural prosperity.
Badger Bounceback Live Session on Accessible & Affordable Healthcare
Thurs., March 25, 2021 at 6 p.m. Register to attend here.
The Badger Bounceback Live Session on Healthcare will cover topics such as expanding access to quality, affordable healthcare, protecting people who have pre-existing conditions, investing in mental health services, Medicaid/BadgerCare expansion, caregiving, and long-term care for aging and older adults and folks with disabilities.
Badger Bounceback Live Session on Transportation & Infrastructure
Tues., March 30, 2021, at 6 p.m. Register to attend here.
The Badger Bounceback Live Session on Transportation & Infrastructure will cover topics such as investments in transportation and infrastructure, fixing our roads and bridges, investing in transit and transportation alternatives, expanding access to broadband, and supporting local communities and government.
Badger Bounceback Live Session on What’s Best for Our Kids
Thurs., April 8, 2021, at 6 p.m. Register to attend here.
The Badger Bounceback Live Session on What’s Best for Our Kids will cover topics such as ensuring every kid has access to a high-quality, public education, providing mental health supports for students at schools, special education reimbursement rates, expanding access to early childhood education and childcare, and investing in our higher education institutions.
Badger Bounceback Live Session on Justice Reform & Marijuana Legalization
Wed., April 14, 2021, at 6 p.m. Register to attend here.
The Badger Bounceback Live Session on Justice Reform & Marijuana Legalization will cover topics such as addressing racial disparities in our justice system, legalizing medical and recreational marijuana, investing in treatment, rehabilitation, and other alternatives to incarceration, and programming to support safe community reentry.
Badger Bounceback Live Session on 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.