The statewide COVID-19 website is a one stop shop that consolidates information from state agencies, and provides up-to-date information and guidance regarding COVID-19. DHS has also offered information on their website on How and Where to Get Tested.
If you're not busy, please make a call, send a card, or write a letter to someone you know who lives alone or may need assistance.
Bless each of you during this difficult time of uncertainty and suffering. Take good care!
Today Governor Tony Evers called for a Special Session of the State Legislature to expand BadgerCare in accordance with the provisions of the Affordable Care Act of 2010, and to approve the investment of $1 billion that is granted to states that expand their Medicaid programs under the American Rescue Plan.
The governor has identified over 50 projects across our state in which he would invest this funding, one of them is $2 million to assist in completion of the United Community Center's Ricardo Diaz Early Learning Academy in the 3rd Senate District.
Republicans' choice not to expand BadgerCare has meant that the state has missed out on hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding over the years that would have gone toward making sure people have access to healthcare. This is money that Wisconsinites have sent to the federal government through their taxes, that is being sent to other states who have chosen to accept the expansion.
“There’s even more urgency to do everything we can to ensure our state has the resources to bounce back and our economy can recover from COVID-19,” said Gov. Evers. “Here’s the bottom line: we can’t let politics get in the way of doing the right thing. It’s time to put people first and focus on making fiscally and morally responsible decisions that will improve not only the health of our people but help our state’s bottom line—we can do both.”
Republicans tear up Governor Evers' budget proposal
Earlier this month, Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee removed nearly 400 of the provisions in one vote that Governor Evers had included in his budget proposal to the state legislature, including: Medicaid (BadgerCare) expansion; an upgrade to the unemployment system; automatic voter registration and many more.
Following that action, the committee voted along party lines to adjust the budget proposal back to the base level which is the budget that Governor Evers signed 2 years ago, essentially erasing the Governor's work towards crafting a new budget for the next two years.
Earlier this month a federal judge struck down the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's eviction moratorium which has been in place for the majority of the pandemic to keep renters from being evicted for inability to pay their rent as a result of economic hardship brought on by the pandemic.
The judge ruled that the CDC lacked authority to impose the moratorium, but stayed her ruling to allow interested parties a chance to make further arguments. The U.S. Department of Justice has appealed the ruling, and has requested a stay until a decision is reached in a higher court, which means that for now the moratorium remains in place.
It is possible that the ruling will be appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States.
Disabled voters say proposals will make it harder for them to cast ballots
At a virtual news conference hosted by Disability Rights Wisconsin, several people with disabilities explained how proposals in the legislature would make it more difficult for them to participate in elections.
Their comments were focused mostly on Senate Bill 203, which the Senate Republicans passed without any Democratic support on May 11th.
Andy Thain of Thorp, Wisconsin explained that provisions of the bill which limit who can help another person return their ballot to their clerk would possibly prohibit him from being able to vote.
"I very rarely have the same staff person from election to election because of the high turnover,” he said. “Sometimes it’s a friend that helps. Sometimes it’s a family member... In order for it to work, I need as much flexibility as I can get, and this seems to be targeted at removing the flexibility, so that concerns me."
The Governor has stated that he would veto bills which make it more difficult to vote in Wisconsin.
Scam Alert From the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development:
May 2021 Fraud Alert: Wisconsin UI, PUA and PEUC Text Scams
Be on the lookout!View these fake text messages that claim you have to verify your Benefit Profile details within 48 hours or your benefits will be deactivated. Scammers are trying to get people to click on the link and enter their personal information:
If you have opted in to receive text messages from the department and you're not sure if something is legitimate, log into your Claims Portal to see if you've really received a message.
How to tell if a message from DWD is official:
Official text messages from DWD provide themy.unemployment.wisconsin.govweb address.
DWD does not send text messages to claimants to notify them that their profile or claim will be deactivated.
Any official text messages from DWD notify the claimant to log on to their Claimant Portal atmy.unemployment.wisconsin.govto view any messages securely.
Do NOT click on links, enter your user information, or provide any information to suspicious websites or spoofed messages.
To verify a caller:
Ask the caller to provide their (1) first name, (2) adjudicator code, and (3) phone number.
Call the UI Claimant Assistance Line at (414) 435-7069 or toll-free (844) 910-3661 to verify the caller is assigned to your claim.
Registration is open for the 21st Annual Hank Aaron State Trail 5K Run/Walk which will take place Saturday, August 14th.
This event is to celebrate the life and legacy of Hank Aaron and to raise funds for the Trail and Bike Camp programs. The 5K is a great way to get some exercise while enjoying and contributing to our local trails.
Wind and Solar energy have become cheaper than most WI coal plants
A report from Energy Innovation finds that nearly 3 in 4 of all U.S. coal plants are either more expensive when compared to nearby wind and solar or are already in plans to be retired.
Just two of the coal plants in Wisconsin are still competitive with the price of wind and solar generators, and the trend will likely overtake them soon as well.
WI drug take back collection was #2 in the country!
Wisconsin's Drug Take Back Day, held on April 24th, had a total collection of 60,632 pounds, making it the second largest event in the country this year.
Medications that were collected were boxed, palletized, shrink wrapped, and secured for transportation to Covanta Energy Corporation in Indianapolis, where the drugs will be incinerated.
If you have leftover prescriptions that you would like to dispose of safely check here to find a drug disposal box near you.
The 
Today Governor Tony Evers called for a Special Session of the State Legislature to expand BadgerCare in accordance with the provisions of the Affordable Care Act of 2010, and to approve the investment of $1 billion that is granted to states that expand their Medicaid programs under the American Rescue Plan.