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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
We’re now over one-week into the ‘safer at home’ order
issued by Governor Evers on March 25th, and as
Wisconsinites are adapting to these life altering, yet
temporary changes, I’ve been doing my best to answer all
of the questions and concerns raised by my constituents.
I wanted to take a few minutes to provide new
information on some of the more common questions I’ve
heard over the phone and in my email, as well as provide
some other important updates.
Thank You!
Before I get to the updates surrounding COVID-19 below,
I wanted to say THANK YOU to doctors and nurses,
firefighters and EMTs, public health sector employees
and researchers, truck drivers, daycare providers, law
enforcement officers, farmers, custodial staff, grocery
store and gas station employees, and others in our
community who are involved in fighting this outbreak and
keeping our communities working together during this
difficult time!
As our state continues dealing with the measures put in
place to reduce the spread of COVID-19, I’m asking
everyone to please keep all of the people working hard
to keep us healthy, comfortable, and informed in mind
during this unprecedented event.
Federal Legislation and the State Response
I’ve heard several questions lately regarding the new
legislation passed at the federal level to help
stimulate the economy, keep residents on their feet, and
provide a bridge for businesses to make it through these
difficult times. As a State Legislator, I did not have
input or a vote on this Federal bill, but I have been
closely following the progress of this new law as it
directly impacts Wisconsin.
An overview of the Federal legislation and its impact on
Wisconsin was
published yesterday by the nonpartisan Legislative
Fiscal Bureau, a state legislative service agency. This
overview will be relied as we work to construct a
package in Wisconsin to determine what gaps in the
Federal legislation need to be filled by state action,
including what additional steps we need to take to fully
benefit from the federal changes and how we can best
capitalize on the over $2 billion Wisconsin is
anticipating.
For example, under the Federal legislation, Wisconsin
and other states who waive the one-week waiting period
to receive unemployment benefits during this outbreak
will have the first week of benefits fully covered by
the federal government. I support this change, and I
will work with my colleagues on having a temporary
exemption from the one-week waiting period during this
outbreak included in the Legislature’s comprehensive
bill. Combined with additional payments for every week
for the duration of benefits, these changes from the
Federal legislation will help to ensure we can provide
adequate benefits to those facing joblessness during
this difficult time while also helping to preserve the
long-term stability of our unemployment fund.
To prepare for our role in addressing the gaps in the
Federal legislation, earlier today, the Wisconsin State
Senate ran a virtual practice session to test how we can
pass legislation without requiring the Legislature to
convene in-person. We’ll continue working to finalize a
state response to COVID-19 with the federal efforts in
mind, and I believe I’ll have more details to share on
this state package soon.
One specific component of the Federal legislation that I
have heard questions about are the stimulus payments.
While the state does not have a direct role in
processing these funds, I know that the payments will
positively impact most Wisconsin residents. To clarify
who will receive payments and how they will be made, I
can provide the following information at this time:
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For adults with annual incomes up to $75,000, they
can expect a $1,200 stimulus check to be directly
deposited into their bank account used for a recent
tax return in April. Mailed checks may take longer.
Residents with children will receive an additional
$500 per child.
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For Wisconsinites with incomes between $75,000 and
$99,000 a year based on a 2018 or 2019 tax return,
they will receive a stimulus check with the payment
reduced by $5 for every $100 in income above the
$75,000 threshold.
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Further clarification provided by the federal
government recently will allow those on Social
Security who don’t normally file a tax return to
receive a stimulus check in the same manner that
they receive their Social Security checks.
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Adults who are still claimed by another person as a
dependent do not qualify for the stimulus payments.
An additional benefit from the Federal legislation
directed payments to local governments in an effort to
support communities and help control the outbreak.
Announced just yesterday, two local governments in the
2nd Senate District will receive funding from the
initial round of federal Community Development Block
Grant program, including Green Bay which will receive
$595,446, and Appleton which will receive $348,255. It’s
anticipated that future rounds of funding will help to
inject more resources into our communities. Learn more
about these grants on the
Appleton Post Crescent’s website.
Local Companies Doing their Part
With Green Bay’s well known title as the ‘Toilet Paper
Capitol of the World’ along with the strong
manufacturing tradition in Northeast Wisconsin, there’s
been no question that our area would be key in providing
the medical and consumer goods that our region, state,
and country need during this outbreak.
The first thing that comes to mind for many residents
when they’re looking at what is needed most right now is
personal protective equipment for medical providers and
first responders. Some local companies have transitioned
their production lines to these crucial medical
supplies, including Elevate97 in Ashwaubenon which
pivoted from retail operations to producing plastic face
shields. According to this
WLUK article, the first 30,000 face shields are now
in production.
Some other companies and manufactures are looking to
give back in a different way. Paper Transport, Inc. in
De Pere has announced that they’re donating half of
their April profits to charities that are assisting in
the COVID-19 fight. You can view the announcement of
their generous contribution on
their website.
But as medical services are in need of goods to fight
this outbreak, consumers are also finding themselves
short on the goods they need at the grocery store. From
manufactures to farmers to truck drivers, they’re
working tirelessly to keep the store shelves, and
in-turn your home stocked with goods including toilet
paper, food, and other essentials to make sure your time
at home is as pleasant as possible.
Thank you to everyone involved in the production
process, and I’m pleased to continue learning of shining
support stories from the 2nd Senate District
exemplifying our manufactures’ role in these trying
times. To learn more about the role of Wisconsin
manufacturers in fighting the outbreak of COVID-19,
check-out this
WPR article.
Temporary Employment Opportunities
In the last e-newsletter, I discussed some resources for
those that are facing the unfortunate circumstance of
unemployment due to COVID-19, including opportunities
for potential temporary employment at businesses dealing
with an onslaught in demand. I’m again including a link
to websites that list employment opportunities still
available, even in these difficult times.
The Fox Valley Workforce Development Board is also
looking to soon establish website with temporary job
listings for businesses in their six county region.
Learn more about this effort on
WLUK’s website.
Also as mentioned in the last e-newsletter, unemployment
insurance claims can often be filed online. However,
some claims require you to follow-up with a phone call.
As the phone lines have often been overloaded, if you’re
having difficulties contacting the unemployment
insurance division, please feel free to reach out to my
office for assistance.
Hospitalization and Tracking Data
As of this afternoon, the state Department of Health
Services (DHS) has confirmed 1,730 positive tests of
COVID-19 in Wisconsin. An additional 20,317 tests were
conducted, but were negative for the Coronavirus. This
outbreak has also regrettably lead to 31 deaths in our
state.
In the counties that make up the 2nd Senate District, 33
cases of COVID-19 have been reported, including 17 in
Brown County, 14 in Outagamie County, and 2 in Waupaca
County. To date, Shawano County does not have a
confirmed case of COVID-19.
DHS, after repeated asks from my office and others, has
provided more information on their website regarding the
outbreak. This new public data includes, for the first
time, information on hospitalizations as a result of
COVID-19. As of this afternoon, 27% of COVID-19 cases in
Wisconsin, or 461 cases, have resulted in
hospitalization. This high rate of hospitalization helps
to demonstrate the true severity of this virus.
The updated website also includes county by county data
on the number of tests, both positive and negative,
along with a breakdown of cases by age group.
Information on this website is updated daily around 2pm.
To learn more and see the updated data in days to come,
visit
DHS’s website.
Education from a Distance
Educators in Northeast Wisconsin have been showing their
dedication to their students as they work tirelessly to
adapt to an online learning platform. As school district
administrators and teachers work out the details of new
digital learning to help continue classes during the
school closure, there’s some other information to help
parents and students that I wanted to pass along.
For all parents, but especially those that may be facing
a loss of income, many area school districts are
offering take-home lunch programs where parents can
pick-up meals for their kids. Each school district
that’s implementing these support services are
establishing programs in a slightly different manner, so
I’d encourage you to visit the website of your local
school district to learn if they offer a program and how
you can participate.
On a statewide basis, PBS Wisconsin has worked with the
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to make
at-home learning just a little easier through all-day
interactive educational programming for students of all
ages. Their new weekday programming will help to ensure
students can combine their distance learning with fun,
interactive shows that build on their thirst for
knowledge. Learn more and see the daily lineup on
PBS Wisconsin’s website.
For even more learning opportunities to keep your
children’s minds occupied, there’s no better time than
now to request a 2019-2020 Blue Book. You can request a
free Blue Book on
my website. After it hits your mailbox, check out
the study guides on
the
Legislature’s website to help your kid learn more
about state government and Wisconsin history.
If you’re looking for other ways to keep your kids
entertained as they’re home from school during the
COVID-19 outbreak, I’d encourage you to check out
this article with over 100 different ideas to help
pass the time while staying indoors.
Finally, if you are a parent and would like to access
some tips on discussing these more adult situations with
younger children, please take a look at the following
potential ideas from
UW-Madison, the
National Association of School Psychologists, and
the
federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
How You Can Help
Wisconsin residents have largely come together to combat
the spread of COVID-19 and are practicing appropriate
prevention steps to protect themselves, their families,
and their neighbors. While those prevention steps are
the most important thing to limit the impact of COVID-19
in our communities and to help us get through the
outbreak sooner, there are other steps you can take to
help your neighbors and community in these trying times.
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Order takeout or delivery or purchase a gift card
from a local restaurant (visit the
Wisconsin Restaurant Association’s website or
the
Green Bay Press-Gazette’s website to find a
takeout or delivery option near you) to help these
community establishments get through the difficult
times
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Donate personal protective equipment in quantities
of 50 items or more to doctors, nurses, and first
responders to reduce their risk during the fight
against COVID-19 by using
this new state website (the state has been
receiving gear from the national stockpile and is
looking to purchase more, but any help at this time
is needed and appreciated)
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If you’re in the greater Green Bay area and have a
knack for sewing, consider assisting The Salvation
Army of Greater Green Bay in preparing personal
masks (to learn more, please contact Renee Main at
renee.main@usc.salvationarmy.org or (920)
609-6407)
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Donate nonperishable goods to a local food bank
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Purchase a gift card from a local business to help
them generate a little extra revenue during these
trying times
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Check-in on your neighbors, particularly the elderly
or those living alone
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Offer to assist an elderly or immunocompromised
neighbor with their grocery shopping
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While shopping, make sure you have enough for you
and your family, but also help to make sure the next
shoppers have goods left on the shelves for their
families
But of course, the best way you can help your fellow
community members is to limit your exposure to others.
The best way to do that is by staying indoors, and it’s
hard to think of a better way to spend time indoors than
watching the Packers beat the Steelers and the Patriots
in the Super Bowl! Those games are going to be re-aired
on Fox this month. To learn more, visit
WLUK’s website.
Price Gouging and Consumer Protection
Price gouging, or raising the price of a product during
a time of scarcity, is illegal during a statewide
emergency. The Department of Agriculture, Trade and
Consumer Protection (DATCP) has already taken action
against stores accused of price gouging during this
public health emergency based on consumer complaints,
and they continue to encourage citizens to report
suspected price gouging, false marketing claims, fraud,
scams, and other consumer complaints related to
COVID-19.
To report a complaint, please contact DATCP’s Consumer
Protection Hotline at (800) 422-7128 or
DATCPHotline@wisconsin.gov, or
file a complaint online.
Request a Mail-In Ballot
Under a recent ruling, tomorrow is the last day to
request your absentee mail-in ballot for the spring
election. If you’re looking to avoid your polling place
on April 7th, make sure you head to
MyVote Wisconsin
and request your ballot by 5pm tomorrow. Under the same
ruling, ballots must be received by April 13th to be
counted in this election.
Until Next Time
While the State Capitol has closed access to the public
during this outbreak, my staff and I are still here to
assist with questions you may have involving state
government. While we may not always have the answer
right away, we’ll do our best to assist with your
questions and concerns revolving around COVID-19 or
other issues related to state government.
To find the most up-to-date information on the
Governor’s actions, including the ‘safer at home’ order,
along with each state agency’s role in this outbreak,
I’d encourage you to visit
this
website. Additionally, ThedaCare has established a
Community Hotline to allow their members to speak with
resource representatives and nurses regarding symptoms
they may be having and other questions related to
COVID-19. Visit
this link to learn about the new hotline.
And as always, please feel free to
contact my office with any questions or concerns you
may have, and be sure to visit
my website and connect with me on
Facebook,
Twitter, and
Instagram for regular updates on Coronavirus and
more from around the
2nd Senate District and in the State Capitol.
Thanks for reading!
Senator Robert Cowles
Proudly Serving Wisconsin's
2nd Senate District
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