THU PM Update: Biden to accept Dem presidential nomination in Milwaukee; state added 74,900 jobs in May

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Joe Biden will formally accept the Dem presidential nomination in Milwaukee despite a potentially scaled-back convention over COVID-19 concerns. Biden camp spokesman Bill Russo in a statement confirmed the former VP will take the nomination in the city, but he said decisions on what the convention will actually look like are s… 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     Forgot Password

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Mayor Rhodes-Conway: City leaders propose program to assist with downtown business recovery

The Downtown Business District, an important center of community and commerce, is struggling. On State Street, where 70 percent of businesses are locally owned and operated, and where 62 percent of businesses are owned by women and people of color, the COVID-19 shutdown and recent damage and destruction has prompted 41 business owners to indicate in a recent survey that they will find it difficult to reopen and could close permanently. In support of these shops, City leaders are announcing a “Downtown Recovery Program” to support small downtown business owners. The proposal was introduced as an ordinance by title only

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WisDems: U.S. Sen. Baldwin discusses small business funds in virtual event

(WISCONSIN) — DPW Chair Ben Wikler interviewed Sen. Tammy Baldwin this week about the Supreme Court decision barring discrimination against LGBTQ workers, the inspiring protests across the country sparked by the murder of George Floyd, and the state of Wisconsin’s economy under Trump. Sen. Baldwin underscored the fact that the Trump administration gutted Wisconsin’s economy before COVID-19 even arrived, and their failed response to the pandemic has only further left behind hard-working Wisconsinites across the state. Read the story below or watch the full interview HERE CBS 58: Sen. Tammy Baldwin discusses small business funds in virtual event Senator Tammy Baldwin is calling

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Marquette University: Howard Fuller, distinguished professor of education, to retire from Marquette

MILWAUKEE — Dr. Howard Fuller, distinguished professor of education and founder/director of the Institute for the Transformation of Learning, has announced his retirement from Marquette University at the end of June 2020. An outspoken advocate and activist for educational opportunities, he initially joined the university over 40 years ago as associate director for the Education Opportunity Program from 1979-83 and later founded the ITL in 1995. “Howard Fuller has been a national figure in the education arena for decades, and the work he’s done on behalf of school children of color through the Institute for the Transformation of Learning has

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U.S. Rep. Kind: Introduces bipartisan legislation to keep nursing home residents safe during COVID-19, future outbreaks

La Crosse, WI— Today, Rep. Ron Kind, along with Reps. Dan Kildee, Michael C. Burgess, and Fred Upton, introduced bipartisan legislation to provide additional resources for nursing homes to enhance quality of care and safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure nursing homes are prepared for future public health crises. The Infection Control Training and Support Act would provide an additional $210 million for quality and infection control support for nursing homes. Over 32,000 nursing home residents have died from the virus, which is over one-fourth of COVID-19 deaths. “As we have seen during COVID-19, seniors and long-term care workers are especially vulnerable

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Rep. Shankland: Wisconsin Counties Association gives Outstanding Legislator Award

MADISON – Today, Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point) announced that she has been recognized for her leadership and commitment to county issues by receiving a Wisconsin Counties Association Outstanding Legislator Award for the 2019-20 biennium. The Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) represents and serves Wisconsin’s 72 counties and their county governments. “Representative Shankland worked diligently for counties this past session and we are grateful for her work and vision for the taxpayers of our state,” said WCA Executive Director Mark D. O’Connell. “We are proud to present her with this award and her dedication to effective governing goes beyond the confines

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Dept. of Workforce Development: BLS data says Wisconsin adds 74,900 total non-farm, 72,100 private-sector jobs in May

MADISON – The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) today released the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) preliminary employment and unemployment estimates for the month of May 2020. The data shows that Wisconsin added 74,900 total non-farm and 72,100 private-sector jobs in the month of May. Wisconsin’s labor force participation rate in May was 66.6 percent, and the state’s unemployment rate fell to 12.0 percent, down from April’s revised rate of 13.6 percent. Place of Residence Data: Wisconsin’s labor force participation rate in May was 66.6, nearly 6 percentage points higher than the national rate of 60.8 percent. Wisconsin’s unemployment

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Dept. of Transportation: Annual Click It or Ticket seat belt campaign begins Monday

Law enforcement agencies and transportation safety officials are delivering a simple, but potentially life-saving message to all motorists: buckle up – every seat – every trip. During the annual Click It or Ticket seat belt campaign that begins Monday (June 22) and runs through Sunday, July 5, law enforcement agencies across the state will patrol in greater numbers for longer hours to help ensure motorists are traveling safely.   “The primary goal of this national public education and enforcement initiative is motorist safety,” Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Secretary-designee Craig Thompson said. “To move towards our goal of Zero Deaths

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Rep. Zamarripa: Statement on DACA Supreme Court decision

Milwaukee—Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa (D-Milwaukee) released the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court blocking the Trump Administration from ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program: “Today, nearly 7,000 Wisconsin DACA recipients can rest a little easier as the Supreme Court put an end to the President’s unconstitutional war on the DACA program. These are folks who were brought to the United States through no fault of their own, have studied in our universities, served in America’s armed forces, and worked hard as employed adults. “Despite the positive contributions to our state and nation, DACA Dreamers have lived in

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WisDems: Farmers have been crushed by Trump’s failed COVID-19 response, but he’s been dragging them down his entire presidency

(WISCONSIN) — Trump’s failed COVID-19 response has crushed farmers in Wisconsin and across the country. Farmers have been dumping milk, setting their crops on fire, and euthanizing their livestock because there is no market for their products. All the while, millions of more Americans are going hungry because they lost their jobs. But farmers were struggling long before coronavirus hit the United States. Trump’s chaotic trade wars, particularly with China, obliterated the markets Wisconsin farmers spent decades building in just a short few months. During this time Trump and his administration told Wisconsinites the pain would be “temporary,” that farmers were

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U.S. Rep. Moore: Statement on Supreme Court decision to uphold DACA program

Today, the Supreme Court ruled against the Trump administration’s efforts to end the DACA program holding that the decision to rescind this program was “arbitrary and capricious” in violation of federal law.  In response, Congresswoman Moore released the following statement: “Today, the Supreme Court put a pause on Trump administration’s xenophobic, anti-immigrant agenda, but it left the door open for it to continue to end DACA, making it clear by saying, “We do not decide whether DACA or its rescission are sound policies.” Nonetheless, I share in the exuberant joy of the nearly 700,000 Dreamers who awaited the Supreme Court’s decision and again urge the

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WHEDA: $16.7 million dividends for Wisconsin Plan equals impact

MADISON – A $16.7 million plan focused on affordable housing and economic development gained final approval from the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) board on June 17, as members directed spending toward a rural affordable workforce housing pilot, financing for underserved markets and small business lending. On June 16, WHEDA’s amended 2019-20 Dividends for Wisconsin Plan gained approval from the Joint Committee on Finance, a key step towards WHEDA board action to direct the funds into spending categories. Money for the $16.7 million plan comes from WHEDA’s own operations. “WHEDA’s Dividends for Wisconsin Plan equals impact,” said WHEDA CEO

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Darling campaign: AFP WI endorsement

On Wednesday, Americans for Prosperity – Wisconsin announced their first round of State Senate endorsements for the 2020 election which includes Senator Alberta Darling. The free-market group says “Sen.Darling continues to fight for opportunity for all Wisconsinites by working to improve our education system and reform our criminal justice system. Her work this past session to make Wisconsin’s cri… 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.

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Sen. Hansen: Elections Commission vote to send absentee ballot requests to 2.7 million voters

(Madison)—State Senator Dave Hansen responded to the Elections Commission vote to mail out absentee ballot request forms to 2.8 million Wisconsin voters for the November election: “For those concerned about their safety and the safety of their loved ones in the upcoming elections the decision by the State Elections Commission to send out absentee ballot request forms to 2.7 million voters is good news. It’s also good news for our democracy and for the health and safety of our residents in the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. If you want to protect your health and right to vote make

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U.S. Rep. Moore: Office to close Friday in observance of Juneteenth

Today, Congresswoman Moore announces the closure of her district and D.C. office on Friday in observance of the Juneteenth holiday. In response, Congresswoman Moore released the following statement: “Juneteenth is a day of celebration, representing the final end to slavery and the beginning of freedom for so many Black Americans. This year’s Juneteenth comes at a pivotal moment, when 155 years lat… 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.

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WisDems: U.S. Sen. Baldwin discusses small business funds in virtual event

(WISCONSIN) — DPW Chair Ben Wikler interviewed Sen. Tammy Baldwin this week about the Supreme Court decision barring discrimination against LGBTQ workers, the inspiring protests across the country sparked by the murder of George Floyd, and the state of Wisconsin’s economy under Trump. Sen. Baldwin underscored the fact that the Trump administration

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U.S. Rep. Kind: Introduces bipartisan legislation to keep nursing home residents safe during COVID-19, future outbreaks

La Crosse, WI— Today, Rep. Ron Kind, along with Reps. Dan Kildee, Michael C. Burgess, and Fred Upton, introduced bipartisan legislation to provide additional resources for nursing homes to enhance quality of care and safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure nursing homes are prepared for future public health crises. The Infection

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Rep. Shankland: Wisconsin Counties Association gives Outstanding Legislator Award

MADISON – Today, Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point) announced that she has been recognized for her leadership and commitment to county issues by receiving a Wisconsin Counties Association Outstanding Legislator Award for the 2019-20 biennium. The Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) represents and serves Wisconsin’s 72 counties and their county governments.

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Rep. Zamarripa: Statement on DACA Supreme Court decision

Milwaukee—Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa (D-Milwaukee) released the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court blocking the Trump Administration from ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program: “Today, nearly 7,000 Wisconsin DACA recipients can rest a little easier as the Supreme Court put an end to the President’s unconstitutional war

Read More »

U.S. Rep. Moore: Statement on Supreme Court decision to uphold DACA program

Today, the Supreme Court ruled against the Trump administration’s efforts to end the DACA program holding that the decision to rescind this program was “arbitrary and capricious” in violation of federal law.  In response, Congresswoman Moore released the following statement: “Today, the Supreme Court put a pause on Trump administration’s xenophobic, anti-immigrant agenda,

Read More »

WHEDA: $16.7 million dividends for Wisconsin Plan equals impact

MADISON – A $16.7 million plan focused on affordable housing and economic development gained final approval from the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) board on June 17, as members directed spending toward a rural affordable workforce housing pilot, financing for underserved markets and small business lending. On June 16,

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Darling campaign: AFP WI endorsement

On Wednesday, Americans for Prosperity – Wisconsin announced their first round of State Senate endorsements for the 2020 election which includes Senator Alberta Darling. The free-market group says “Sen.Darling continues to fight for opportunity for all Wisconsinites by working to improve our education system and reform our criminal justice system. Her work this

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U.S. Rep. Moore: Office to close Friday in observance of Juneteenth

Today, Congresswoman Moore announces the closure of her district and D.C. office on Friday in observance of the Juneteenth holiday. In response, Congresswoman Moore released the following statement: “Juneteenth is a day of celebration, representing the final end to slavery and the beginning of freedom for so many Black Americans. This

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