This week, Senator Fred Risser announced his retirement after serving as a Wisconsin State Legislator for 64 years. He is the longest serving state or national legislator in the nation's history.
With his experience and history, there will never be another legislator that comes close to Senator Risser. The Wisconsin State Senate will never be the same.
He is joining my colleagues Senator Miller, Senator Hansen, and my JFC colleague Representative Taylor in retiring. I am thankful for all of their service to Wisconsin.
Reminder - Protect yourself and those around you. Follow CDC and DHS guidelines to stay safe.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home when you are able.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
Resources -
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 2-1-1 or visit their website.
Sen. Erpenbach calls on Action to Keep Voters Safe
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 public health crisis, I have heard from poll workers, clerks and local leaders from around my district who are looking for ways to make it as safe as possible for voters to exercise their right to vote. Unfortunately, many of these changes require the Legislature to take action to adjust current statute and cannot be done by Executive Order. Therefore, I am calling on the Republican Majority Leaders to work with Democrats and those tasked with running our elections to find solutions that will make it easier to limit in-person contact and provide the flexibility needed to make that happen as soon as possible. The April 7 election is just around the corner and we need action now.
Voter Registration has been Extended
Online voter registration for the April 7 election has been extended until March 30. Visit MyVote.WI.Gov to register and request your absentee ballot today!
Safer at Home Emergency Order in Effect
This week, Governor Evers' Safer at Home Emergency Order went into effect to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. It went into effective at 8 am on Wednesday March 25th and will remain in effect until 8 am on Friday, April 24th or until a superseding order is issued.
Please note, Individuals do not need special permission to leave their homes, but they must comply with this Order as to when it is permissible to leave home. Similarly, if a business is an Essential Business or Operation as defined in this order, it does not need documentation or certification to continue its work that is done in compliance with this Order.
On March 25th, the DATCP issued cease and desist letters to 16 companies suspected of unlawfully raising prices. Among companies who received a cease and desist letter includes a company suspected of price gouging on N95 masks.
Additionally, make sure that you are keeping an eye out for scams, including phishing emails, phone calls, and texts. Beware of claims of vaccines or cures, and exercise caution when donating to a charity. Learn more here.
DWD Launches Site to Connect Employees with Essential Businesses and Services -
From DWD: The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is helping to connect unemployed job seekers with employers that run essential businesses and offer essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While many businesses have temporarily closed and laid off their workers to help slow the spread of COVID-19, others are ramping up to fill new jobs that provide essential services during the pandemic.
Governor Evers Issues Exeuctive Order to Ban Evictions and Foreclosures -
The order prohibits landlords from evicting tenants for any reason unless failure to proceed with the eviction will result in an imminent threat of serious physical harm to another person and mortgagees from commencing civil action to foreclose on real estate for 60 days. Wisconsinites who are able to continue to meet their financial obligations are urged to do so. This order does not in any way relieve a person's obligation to pay their rent or mortgages.
Looking for additional resources? I have added a tab to my website title "COVID-19 Updates," where I have been compiling helpful resources and information. The page is updated frequently with new information. 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.
PPE Donation/Buyback program: We are looking for companies, educational facilities and other organizations that may have personal protective equipment (PPE) that could be used in the state’s response to the COVID-19 emergency.
The state appreciates donations, and is willing to reimburse large quantities of PPE at fair market value. Please fill out the below form if you have the specific items listed below. If you have less than 50 items of any of the below items, please consider donating to local health care organizations. Sign up here: https://covid19supplies.wi.gov/donations
Update from Department of Children and Families (DCF): DCF is seeking early childhood educators to help provide child care and meet the school-age needs of Wisconsin’s essential personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are an educator who is able to serve, we’re seeking your help in providing care to Wisconsin’s essential personnel. Please fill out this survey with your information and availability so we can connect you with local service needs. By filling out this survey, you may be considered to assist in providing child care for individuals who provide essential services in Wisconsin.
Hope House -Hope House of South Central Services can be accessed by calling the 24-hour helpline at 1-800-584-6790. The Hope House team will not be attending community meetings or trainings in an effort to prevent the illness from entering the building.
During this challenging time, Hope House would appreciate donations to help us continue to support those in need, including:
Red Cross- the Red Cross is experiencing blood drive cancellations like no other time in recent history and their inventory is at critical levels. Their sites are taking extra precautions to make sure giving blood is safe. If healthy, please consider giving blood by calling 1-800-RedCross or going to redcrossblood.org.
DWD- Secretary Caleb Frostman has called on Wisconsin's construction industry, labor organizations, and private industry to donate any available N95 masks to local hospitals.
WI Elections Commission - Wisconsin is looking for citizens to serve as poll workers for the April 7, 2020 election.
To be a poll worker, a person must:
Be a qualified elector of the county in which the municipality is located (i.e., an adult citizen of the United States who has resided in the election district for 10 consecutive days and is not otherwise disqualified to vote)
Be able to read and write fluently in the English language
NOT be a candidate for any office to be voted on at the polling place at that election.
Wisconsin National Guard - Stock up on Facts Not Fear
Local Law Enforcement will enforce the Safer at Home Order, not the National Guard.
DNR Update: Wisconsin State Parks and Trails Remain Open To Public and DNR Burning Permits are Suspended
The Safer at Home order allows essential travel, which includes travel related to access to essential activities so long as there is compliance with Social Distancing Requirements. Outdoor activity is included as an essential activity and that includes visiting public and state parks, again so long as Social Distancing Requirements are met. While it is advised that people stay close to home while engaging in outdoor recreation, they are not prohibited from traveling to access areas that offer the opportunity to get outdoors. As announced yesterday, admission fees have been waived for State Parks and State Trails.
In order to protect the health and safety of the citizens of Wisconsin, the Department of Natural Resources is suspending all DNR burning permits, effective today, until further notice.
