Today, members of the Senate Democratic caucus wrote a letter to the Republican leadership compelling them to come to the table and help their constituents in the face of a global pandemic. We offered them real proposals to debate-and pass-and we are asking them to show up for work just as people in every corner of our state are doing every day.
Wisconsin is now a COVID-19 hotspot; something that could have been avoided had Republicans been willing to put their constituents over their ideology. Every time the Governor has tried to respond to this crisis, they have taken him to court or outright rejected his efforts at the rule-making process.
Earlier this week, Governor Tony Evers announced an additional $100 million in investments aimed at providing additional economic stabilization for small businesses and communities hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This will include further investments in the “We’re All In” program run by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and funding to support the lodging and tourism industry, live music and performance venues, cultural non-profits, and privately owned movie theaters. These efforts are funded through the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) and will help Wisconsin’s small businesses and venues that serve as cultural catalysts in communities across the state.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is recruiting temporary Contract Tracers to track and limit the spread of COVID-19. This is a fulltime position with a short application window. The deadline to apply is October 11, 2020. Click the link to learn more.
$47 Million in COVID-19 Support
This week, Governor Evers announced an additional $47 million investment in the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF). The funds will be put toward support for child care, healthcare navigators, food security, and energy and rental assistance. Existing programs such as the COVID-19 Out-of-School Grant Program, the Wisconsin Rental Assistance Program, and statewide health insurance navigator organizations will receive support in addition to new programs needed to be created as the pandemic continues to affect Wisconsinites.
This week, Department of Health Services Secretary-designee, Andrea Palm, signed Emergency Order #3 limiting public gatherings to no more than 25 percent of a room or building’s total occupancy. Due to the surge of positive cases in Wisconsin, the state has become one of the country’s hot spots. Hospitals are reaching capacity and the number of positive cases continues to increase exponentially. Every Wisconsinite needs to be doing their part by washing their hands, wearing a mask and staying home whenever possible.
The Department of Natural Resources would like to remind Wisconsin hunters to follow deer carcass transportation regulations to ensure that deer carcass waste is disposed of appropriately during the upcoming hunting seasons. The DNR and the Department of Transportation also remind us that October and November are the most common months for deer-vehicle collisions. This is due to the high activity of deer during the breeding season, so drivers must be especially cautious on the road.
During this difficult time it is worth reminding Wisconsinites that 211 exists to help when you don’t know where to turn. 211 is a resource managed by the United Way of Wisconsin. Call 2-1-1or visit their website.
Department of Corrections Helpline: The call center can be reached by members of the public Monday through Friday from 7:45am–4:30pm at (608) 240-5700.
Looking for additional resources? If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to my office at Sen.Erpenbach@Legis.WI.Gov, or call (608) 266-6670.
