Wisconsin League of Women Voters files lawsuit to allow absentee ballots without witness signature

The League of Women Voters Wisconsin filed a federal lawsuit today to prevent the state from rejecting mail-in absentee ballots that lack a witness signature. The League argues in a filing those living alone under self-quarantine because of the coronavirus outbreak or who do not otherwise want another adult in their homes during the outbreak would be unable to satisfy the requirement. “While we appreciate the efforts by the state to expand voting in light of the pandemic, the Wisconsin law requiring a witness signature for every absentee ballot presents an unreasonable barrier to voters that does nothing to increase the safety of casting a ballot,”

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THU PM Update: Several Madison Dems express interest in running for Risser’s Senate seat

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Madison Dems quickly expressed an interest in running for Sen. Fred Risser’s Senate seat after the 92-year-old announced he won’t seek reelection after more than six decades in the Legislature. But Rep. Chris Taylor, who had been considered a top candidate to run for Risser’s seat once he retired, won’t be one of them. She anno… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options. Username or E-mail Password * Remember Me    

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Gov. Evers: Launches Wisconsin’s COVID-19 PPE Program

Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov or 608-219-7443 MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today launched an initiative designed to get more personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gowns, gloves and masks, to those working on the frontlines of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “It is absolutely imperative that our healthcare workers and first responders have the equipment they need to stay safe and healthy as they care for our communities. As we face a global shortage of PPE, and are competing with other states to acquire limited resources, I am calling on companies, schools, and other organizations that may have unused protective equipment

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Dane County Sheriff’s Office: Dane County Jail takes precautions with inmates

March 26, 2020 – The Dane County Jail currently has 8 inmates in quarantine, after they presented with fevers. The 8 inmates, all males, are now in segregation cells in the Public Safety Building (PSB). Jail medical staff are coordinating COVID-19 testing. An additional 9 inmates, who at some point had contact with some who are in quarantine, have been removed from the general population and are being housed in a dormitory in the Public Safety Building. None of these men are exhibiting symptoms. Several areas of the jail, including the laundry, recreational area and kitchen, have been sanitized using

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Sen. Risser: To retire after 64 years

Contact: Sen. Fred Risser, 608-266-1627 MADISON – State Senator Fred A. Risser (D-Madison) announced today that he would not be a candidate for re-election to the Wisconsin State Senate. Risser, 92, is in his 64th year as a Wisconsin legislator. He is the longest serving state or national legislator in the nation’s history. He is also the last World War II veteran still remaining in either the state or nation’s legislatures. Risser was elected to the Wisconsin Assembly in 1956, moving to the State Senate in 1962, where he has served in many leadership roles including Senate Minority Leader and

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AG Kaul: Fighting for emergency relief for federal student loan borrowers in response to coronavirus

MADISON, Wis. – Attorney General Josh Kaul and a coalition of 27 attorneys general from around the nation today called on the U.S. Department of Education to provide federal student loan borrowers with crucial emergency measures to help in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a letter to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, the coalition asks the Department of Education to take specific steps to protect borrowers from further financial burden and debt collection due to job losses and lost wages, resulting from the exponential rise in national unemployment in the last few weeks. “We should be doing what we can to provide

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Dane County absentee voters urged to list selves as ‘indefinitely confined’ to avoid ID requirements

The Dane County clerk is urging all voters who request an absentee ballot and have trouble presenting a voter ID to indicate they are indefinitely confined, which negates the requirement. Clerk Scott McDonell said his directive isn’t a blanket exemption for the voter ID requirements for those voting absentee, but a recognition of the difficulties faced by elderly voters, in particular, as they try to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. But the state GOP chair warned the party will “aggressively pursue any legal remedy available to put a stop to clerks unilaterally and illegally rigging an election in their favor.” McDonell

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U.S. Sen. Baldwin: Requests full FY2021 funding for great lakes restoration initiative

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a member of the bipartisan Senate Great Lakes Task Force, this week joined her colleagues in sending a letter to the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Ranking Member Tom Udall (D-NM) to request at least $320 million in funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) in Fiscal Year 2021. GLRI is a successful, results-driven program that is designed to address the most serious issues that threaten the ecological and economic well-being of the Great Lakes basin, including invasive species, pollution, and toxic contamination. “As

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Sen. Wirch: Offering information and assistance with unemployment benefits

Kenosha – With the coronavirus causing mass shutdowns all across the country, unemployment insurance (UI) benefits will be vital in keeping many families, and our economy, afloat over the next few months. Gov. Tony Evers has taken steps to help claimants access the benefits they need and have earned. By executive order, Gov. Evers has temporarily suspended the requirement that UI claimants conduct at least four work searches per week, retroactive to March 12, 2020.  In the order, the Governor also makes sure that claimants who are otherwise eligible but out of work due to COVID-19 are considered “available for work”

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Gov. Evers delivers weekly radio address concerning “safer at home” order

The following is Gov. Tony Evers’ radio address on the Safer at Home Order to address the COVID-19 public health crisis.  Issuing a Safer at Home order isn’t something I thought we’d have to do, it’s not something I wanted to do, and it’s not something I take lightly. We’re all in this together and we need to help stop the spread of COVID-19, and flatten the curve to ensure our doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers have the opportunity to do their important work. You can still go out and take a walk, go for a bike ride, or walk

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Disability Rights Wisconsin: Warning against disability discrimination in COVID-19 rationing policies

As hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities develop policies that dictate allocation of scarce medical resources during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative that great care be taken to prevent those policies from adversely affecting people with disabilities. While we recognize the need to plan and be prepared for healthcare resource shortages during these extraordinary times, the guiding principles that are adopted must be consistent with federal civil rights law and must not discriminate against people with disabilities. Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW) is a private non-profit organization serving as the designated Protection and Advocacy System for the State of Wisconsin

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Dept. of Workforce Development: Employers providing essential services need workers

MADISON — 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. Employers are looking to not only fill new jobs created by economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic but to also prepare for staff members who may be out sick due to illness. “COVID-19 increased the workload for some

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AG Kaul: Joins coalition urging Trump administration to ease restrictions, allow medical professionals to research solutions to COVID-19 pandemic

MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul today joined a coalition of 15 attorneys general led by California in sending a letter to President Trump and the Department of Health and Human Services calling on the Administration to end its research ban on fetal tissue to aid the nation’s medical response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Attorneys General argue that this exemption could help scientists develop vaccines and study the virus’ impacts on pregnant women and children. “We can’t let a bad policy stand in way of medical advancements,” said AG Kaul. “Medical researchers should be able to use every available tool as they work to save lives and fight a global health

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Gov. Evers: Launches Wisconsin’s COVID-19 PPE Program

Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov or 608-219-7443 MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today launched an initiative designed to get more personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gowns, gloves and masks, to those working on the frontlines of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “It is absolutely imperative that our healthcare workers and first

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Sen. Risser: To retire after 64 years

Contact: Sen. Fred Risser, 608-266-1627 MADISON – State Senator Fred A. Risser (D-Madison) announced today that he would not be a candidate for re-election to the Wisconsin State Senate. Risser, 92, is in his 64th year as a Wisconsin legislator. He is the longest serving state or national legislator in

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AG Kaul: Joins coalition urging Trump administration to ease restrictions, allow medical professionals to research solutions to COVID-19 pandemic

MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul today joined a coalition of 15 attorneys general led by California in sending a letter to President Trump and the Department of Health and Human Services calling on the Administration to end its research ban on fetal tissue to aid the nation’s medical response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Attorneys General argue that this exemption could

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