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!
Every Wisconsinite, 16 and Older, Eligible for Vaccine on April 5th
Great news! Starting Monday, April 5th, everyone in Wisconsin age 16 and older will become eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Wisconsin has been national leader with regard to our vaccine rollout, and this is one more sign that we are continuing in the right direction.
As of March 30th Wisconsin has administered 2.7 million total vaccines, with over 1 million residents being fully vaccinated and over half of our state's 65+ age group fully vaccinated.
Currently our state Department of Health Services is optimistic about plans to reopen state office buildings and have more employees returning to their offices by July.
Governor Evers Signs Bill to Increase Transparency in Rx Drug Supply Chain
On Friday Governor Evers signed Senate Bill 3 into law which will increase transparency in the prescription drug supply chain by creating licensing and practice requirements for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in the state of Wisconsin. I was very happy to cosponsor this important legislation.
Critically the bill prohibits gag clauses that prevented pharmacists from informing patients of more affordable alternative options.
So far, 4 of the bills that I have cosponsored this session have been signed by the Governor. The other 3 are:
Senate Bill 28 related to battery by a person detained while awaiting trial as a sexually violent person
Senate Bill 62 related to merit based pay raises for state public defenders
And Assembly Bill 125 related to the regulation of physician assistants and creating a Physician Assistant Affiliated Credentialing Board.
American Rescue Plan Act Funds Coming to Communities in the 3rd Senate District
The American Rescue Plan Act, passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden on March 11th, 2021, provides funds to the various levels of local government: state, county, municipality.
The following are the Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau's estimated totals for the various units of government contained either in part or in whole within the 3rd State Senate District:
State of Wisconsin: $3.2 billion
Milwaukee County: $183.4 million
City of Greenfield: $3.6 million
City of Milwaukee: $405.7 million
City of West Allis: $32.2 million
Village of West Milwaukee: $404,892
Additional funds will come to our state through specific programs directed towards: Unemployment Insurance; Health and Family Services; Children and Families; K-12 and Higher Education; Transportation; Arts; Business Assistance; Emergency Management; Environmental Grants; Housing Assistance; and Utility Assistance.
Many Absentee Ballots are Still Not Yet Returned for the April 6th Election
As of March 26th, 390,000 voters across the state had requested an absentee ballot, but only 96,000 had been returned to their respective clerk.
In keeping with the USPS recommendations for mailing a ballot (one week in each direction) after today, it is no longer recommended for you to use the post to return your absentee ballot, because it may not arrive in time for the election. Instead you should make use of one of the drop-off locations that are available to you in your municipality.
For information about where to do this, I recommend calling your clerk. Their contact information is below.
Also, early voting will continue through Friday April 2nd, see clerk's websites for more info!
Old Main is Housing Veterans for the First Time in 30 Years
On March 22nd, the Milwaukee Soldiers Home announced that it has leased half of its available units to veterans and their families who are either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Inside Old Main, 80 one- or two-bedroom apartment units were created through the restoration. These units will provide permanent housing and wraparound support services for veterans and their families.
A new report compiled by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration using data collected hourly over the last 30 years shows the water at the depths of Lake Michigan is warming by about 0.11 degrees Fahrenheit each decade which is faster than ocean and the air temperature.
Although this change may seem small, it impacts the amount of ice cover on the lake each year, and the erosion that occurs along the shoreline, as well as the organisms that live in our great lake.
Stands will be held at 25% capacity to begin the season, but the team's eventual goal is to get back to "full fans in the stands".
Fans will have to wear masks except while eating or drinking, practice social distancing, use cashless payments, and use specific gates at prescribed times for entry.
Personally, I can't wait to get back to see a live baseball game!
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