TUE PM Update: Evers rejects Trump administration demand schools be open for in-person instruction

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Gov. Tony Evers today rejected demands from the Trump administration that schools be reopened this fall for in-person instruction, countering that the decision should be made at the local level. Meanwhile, as the Madison and Dane County health department issued the state’s first mandatory mask order, Evers lamented the May stat… 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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Marquette University: Theology professor receives Way Klingler Young Scholar Award

MILWAUKEE — Dr. Kate Ward, assistant professor of theology in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences at Marquette University, is one of the 2020 recipients of the Way Klingler Young Scholar Award. Ward’s research focuses on economic ethics and ethical method, specifically virtue ethics and Catholic social thought. She has published articles on wealth, virtue and economic inequality in journals including Theological Studies, Journal of Religious Ethics, Heythrop Journal and Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics. She is currently completing a monograph that explores the impact of wealth, poverty and inequality on the pursuit of virtue for Georgetown University Press. “Dr. Ward’s research

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Dept. of Justice: Serial sex offender charged with alleged sexual assault after backlogged kit is tested

BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis. – Attorney General Josh Kaul today announced that another individual has been charged with sexual assault after a victim’s sexual assault kit was tested as part of the Wisconsin Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI). Hank W. Elmore, age 36 of La Crosse, Wis., was charged June 19, 2020 with an alleged sexual assault by use of force that occurred in 2010. Elmore’s initial appearance was July 6, 202. “The review of previously uncharged cases as part of the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative has resulted in justice for survivors and improved public safety,” said Attorney General Kaul.

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WISPIRG: CFPB green-lights predatory payday loans amid COVID-19 pandemic

MADISON — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) finalized a rule Tuesday that guts critical payday lending protections. These protections, including the requirement that lenders check if a customer can repay the high interest rates of payday loans before borrowing, were set to go into effect last year. But the Bureau’s new leadership delayed implementation of the protections and pursued rollbacks of their core provisions. The average annual interest rate of a payday loan was 528 percent in Wisconsin in 2019. The WISPIRG Foundation’s 2016 analysis of written complaints to the CFPB about payday loans found that 91 percent were related to unaffordability of these loans.

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Waukesha County: New business partners join Stay Safe to Stay Open campaign to fight COVID-19

(Waukesha, WI)- Today, Waukesha County is announcing new business partners in the fight against COVID-19 through engagement in the “Stay Safe to Stay Open” campaign. The campaign is a unified approach to promote the actions businesses and residents can take to mitigate the spread of the virus as the economy and community slowly reopen. “As more people return to their offices or resume receiving in-person business services, it’s important to remember that even though the virus is still in our community, we can work together to protect each other,” said Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow. “The engagement of our business community,

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Milwaukee Alderwoman Coggs: Resolution requiring Council approval for purchasing of crowd control and militaristic equipment approved today

During today’s (Tuesday, July 7) meeting of the Common Council, file #200274, a resolution directing that Police Department purchases of crowd-response, crowd-control, military-grade and militaristic equipment be approved by the Common Council, was adopted by the full Council. The item was introduced by Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs and is co-sponsored by Alderwoman Chantia Lewis, Alderman Nik Kovac, Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II and Alderman José G. Pérez. “This legislation was birthed out of community conversations and a desire for the public to know more about militaristic equipment and ensure greater oversight of the procurement process,” said Alderwoman Coggs. The resolution states that

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ACLU Wisconsin: Milwaukee Fire & Police Commission must listen to demands for change, no matter who is in charge

MILWAUKEE – The ACLU of Wisconsin today issued a statement in response to Griselda Aldrete’s announcement Monday that she will not seek reappointment to her post as executive director of the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission. “The Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission has a duty to ensure that the police are doing their job responsibly, lawfully, and in a manner that responds to the needs and concerns of the community. Changes in FPC leadership do not make the commission’s obligation to provide effective oversight and act in accordance with the will of the people any less urgent,” said Karyn Rotker,

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AG Kaul: Joins multistate lawsuit against Secretary DeVos’ attempt to siphon pandemic relief funds away from public schools

MADISON, Wis. –Attorney General Kaul today joined a coalition of six attorneys general in a lawsuit against U.S. Department of Education (Department) Secretary Betsy DeVos’ unlawful attempt to siphon pandemic relief funds away from K-12 public schools. The lawsuit follows the latest effort by Secretary DeVos to undermine congressional intent through the promulgation of regulations that unlawfully reinterpret the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and run counter to efforts to ensure that students and schools with demonstrated financial need get the resources they have been promised. As a result of the interim final rule, an estimated

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Gov. Evers, WisDOT Secretary-designee Thompson: Announce more than $160 million in transportation aid for local governments

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers and Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Secretary-designee Craig Thompson today announced more than $160 million in transportation aid for local governments as part of the governor’s 2019-21 biennial budget. Local governments will receive quarterly payments this week totaling $160,249,246 for General Transportation Aids (GTA), Connecting Highway Aids and Expressway Policing Aids from the WisDOT. “As our economy continues to recover from the effects of this pandemic, it is critically important for us to invest in our state’s infrastructure,” Gov. Evers said. “After years of neglecting our roads and bridges, The People’s Budget made historic new

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Pfaff campaign: AG Kaul endorsement for State Senate

Onalaska – Today, Brad Pfaff, candidate for Wisconsin’s 32nd Senate District, announced that he has been endorsed by Attorney General Josh Kaul. “I’ve had the privilege of knowing Brad Pfaff for about 19 years. Brad is passionate about public service and deeply knowledgeable about the important issues facing our state,” said Attorney General Kaul. “Brad will bring leadership, experience, and a dedication to improving the lives of Wisconsinites to the State Senate.” “I am proud to have the support of Attorney General Kaul. Wisconsin is stronger and safer thanks to his leadership,” said Pfaff. “We need more leaders like the Attorney

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U.S. Sen. Baldwin: Introduces 1619 Act to raise awareness, understanding of African American history in schools

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), joined her colleagues to introduce legislation to increase awareness and understanding of African American history across our schools through expanded access to programming from the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The 1619 Act would provide federal funding to support African American History educational programs through workshops and professional development activities for educators. “For far too long, our schools have taught an incomplete picture of American history to our students that has unfortunately contributed to the deeply-rooted racial inequities that

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Public Health Madison & Dane County: Releases new orders requiring face coverings

Effective on Monday, July 13, 2020 at 8:00 am, Public Health Madison & Dane County is issuing Emergency Order #8, which requires that everyone age 5 and older wear a face covering or mask when in in any enclosed building where other people, except for members of the person’s own household or living unit, could be present.  This requirement applies to all of Dane County. “Public health research now shows that face coverings are critical to slowing the spread of COVID-19. Given the current number of COVID-19 infections in our county, we need to all be wearing face coverings every time we leave the

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Gov. Evers: Announces statewide efforts to distribute PPE to schools, food processors, businesses

MADISON —​ Gov. Tony Evers today announced additional efforts to distribute personal protective equipment (PPE) to schools, food processors, and businesses across the state. Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) will begin shipping more than 2 million cloth face masks and more than 4,200 infrared thermometers to K-12 public, charter, and private schools throughout the state. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is also helping to facilitate the delivery of approximately 60,000 masks to local food processors and businesses. “Whether it’s a school, cheese plant, or restaurant, we are doing everything we can to ensure that everyone has access to the essential

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Wisconsin Policy Forum: Forum Friday investigating police budgets

We’re hosting the next installment of our new virtual event series, Forum Friday, on Friday, July 17! In this webinar format, we discuss a timely research topic and invite notable guests and Forum members to join the conversation. While this doesn’t replace our in-person events, we hope this can be a new way to keep you informed and connected on our state’s most pressing public policy issues. … 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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WISPIRG: CFPB green-lights predatory payday loans amid COVID-19 pandemic

MADISON — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) finalized a rule Tuesday that guts critical payday lending protections. These protections, including the requirement that lenders check if a customer can repay the high interest rates of payday loans before borrowing, were set to go into effect last year. But the Bureau’s new leadership

Read More »

Milwaukee Alderwoman Coggs: Resolution requiring Council approval for purchasing of crowd control and militaristic equipment approved today

During today’s (Tuesday, July 7) meeting of the Common Council, file #200274, a resolution directing that Police Department purchases of crowd-response, crowd-control, military-grade and militaristic equipment be approved by the Common Council, was adopted by the full Council. The item was introduced by Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs and is co-sponsored by Alderwoman

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AG Kaul: Joins multistate lawsuit against Secretary DeVos’ attempt to siphon pandemic relief funds away from public schools

MADISON, Wis. –Attorney General Kaul today joined a coalition of six attorneys general in a lawsuit against U.S. Department of Education (Department) Secretary Betsy DeVos’ unlawful attempt to siphon pandemic relief funds away from K-12 public schools. The lawsuit follows the latest effort by Secretary DeVos to undermine congressional intent

Read More »

Gov. Evers, WisDOT Secretary-designee Thompson: Announce more than $160 million in transportation aid for local governments

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers and Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Secretary-designee Craig Thompson today announced more than $160 million in transportation aid for local governments as part of the governor’s 2019-21 biennial budget. Local governments will receive quarterly payments this week totaling $160,249,246 for General Transportation Aids (GTA), Connecting

Read More »

Pfaff campaign: AG Kaul endorsement for State Senate

Onalaska – Today, Brad Pfaff, candidate for Wisconsin’s 32nd Senate District, announced that he has been endorsed by Attorney General Josh Kaul. “I’ve had the privilege of knowing Brad Pfaff for about 19 years. Brad is passionate about public service and deeply knowledgeable about the important issues facing our state,”

Read More »

U.S. Sen. Baldwin: Introduces 1619 Act to raise awareness, understanding of African American history in schools

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), joined her colleagues to introduce legislation to increase awareness and understanding of African American history across our schools through expanded access to programming from the National Museum of African American

Read More »

Gov. Evers: Announces statewide efforts to distribute PPE to schools, food processors, businesses

MADISON —​ Gov. Tony Evers today announced additional efforts to distribute personal protective equipment (PPE) to schools, food processors, and businesses across the state. Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) will begin shipping more than 2 million cloth face masks and more than 4,200 infrared thermometers to K-12 public, charter, and private schools throughout

Read More »

Wisconsin Policy Forum: Forum Friday investigating police budgets

We’re hosting the next installment of our new virtual event series, Forum Friday, on Friday, July 17! In this webinar format, we discuss a timely research topic and invite notable guests and Forum members to join the conversation. While this doesn’t replace our in-person events, we hope this can be a new way to keep you informed and

Read More »