Everyone should have access to high quality affordable health care, especially during a global pandemic. This week, Governor Evers, Department of Health Services Secretary-Designee Andrea Palm, and Commissioner of Insurance Mark Afable announced that due to the FEMA declaration of a national emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic, the special enrollment period for anyone who lost their healthcare coverage in the last year has been extended.
We still have a lot of work to do to make health insurance more affordable and more accessible for everyone. I will continue to make that a priority in the upcoming session.
Go to HealthCare.gov and find a plan or head to WisCovered.com to talk to an expert who can help you find a plan that works best for you and your family.
Sincerely,
JON ERPENBACH State Senator 27th District
Voting Deadlines
October 14, 2020 - Deadline to Register by Mail - Your voter registration form, along with proof of residence must be postmarked to your municipal clerk no later than October 14, 2020. Find your Municipal Clerk’s Contact Information here.
October 14, 2020 - Deadline to Register online - Voters who are able to match their name, date of birth, Wisconsin Driver License or State ID number, and address with the Wisconsin DMV can register to vote online through October 14, 2020.
Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15th marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month. Hispanic Americans make up the second largest demographic of Wisconsin’s population. According to the US Census Bureau, Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes and celebrates the contributions Americans tracing their roots to Spain, Mexico, Central America, South American and the Spanish-speaking nations of the Caribbean have made to American society and culture. The observance was born in 1968 when Congress authorized the president to issue an annual proclamation designating National Hispanic Heritage Week. Just two decades later, lawmakers expanded it to a month long celebration, stretching from September 15 to October 15. The date was chosen because September 15th marks the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries. So please join me in paying tribute to all of the contributions Hispanic Americans have made in Wisconsin and around the country.
Gov. Evers with the Department of Administration Secretary Joel Brennan announced a grant of $36 million to be distributed to local governments across the state to invest in public infrastructure and facility projects. Projects include improvements to sidewalks and surface streets, stormwater, and sanitary sewers. Basic services of the community will now be affordable and revitalized with the support of energy-efficient design plans. In the 27th Senate District, Green County and Hollandale for example were among the communities who will receive infrastructure grants.
Attorney General Josh Kaul established an agreement in which Wisconsin receives $7.5 million in debt relief for the 1,137 former ITT Tech students. This agreement is between 48 attorney generals and the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in effort to distribute $330 million in debt relief to 35,000 former students nationally. This agreement was made due to the predatory tactics used by private lending programs, like PEAKS Trust, to force students to accept temporary loans with high interest rates and repayment due dates while students were still in school.
This week the Department of Children and Families celebrates Child Welfare Worker Appreciation Week. They would like to celebrate and recognize those who do so much to benefit children, families, and our communities. All of us are thankful to the people dedicated to helping families through life’s challenges. Thank you!
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 2-1-1or 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.
