MADISON, WI — The Wisconsin Public Service Commission voted today to extend the utility disconnection moratorium for residential customers until September 1, 2020. The commission decided 2-1 to extend the moratorium in order to safeguard the public health of Wisconsin residents during the COVID-19 health crisis. The PSC had previously voted on June 11 to end the moratorium on utility disconnections. The Sierra Club has been working with Wisconsin social justice advocates and members of local governments to advocate for an extension of the moratorium that was issued on March 24 in response to the Coronavirus crisis. The PSC will look

MADISON – On Thursday, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) voted 2-1 to stay a portion of its June 26 order to extend the moratorium on utility residential customer disconnections and refusal of service for nonpayment until September 1. The additional time will allow PSC staff to collect more data and information from utilities on their disconnection plans, allow for comment from customer organizations, and monitor further the spread of COVID-19 in the state. The move comes as COVID-19 positive cases in Wisconsin have more than doubled since the PSC met in June to order the end of the

[NEENAH, WI…] The Rachael for Assembly campaign today announced a key GOP Party endorsement in the Republican Primary race for the 55th Assembly District.   Lynn Murphy, wife of 56th Assembly District Representative Dave Murphy (R-Greenville), formally endorsed Cabral-Guevara.   Lynn Murphy said, “I’m endorsing Rachael CG because the CG stands for conservative government!”   “I’m thrilled to have the endorsement of strong, conservative women like Lynn Murphy who know that I’ll continue to fight for our conservative Republican principles in Madison,” said Cabral-Guevara.   Cabral-Guevara is also endorsed by the Wisconsin Right to Life, Wisconsin Nurses Association, Young Americans

Madison, WI – On Thursday, the Senate Committee on Government Operations, Technology, and Consumer Protection held an informational hearing regarding K-12 schools reopening this fall and virtual learning. Senator Duey Stroebel (R-Cedarburg) issued the following statement after the hearing:  “I am glad my colleagues participated in today’s informational hearing, where we heard testimony from 16 different witnesses covering many sides of the virtual learning question.  I thank all the witnesses for making time to contribute.” “What we heard today shows that there is great diversity of opinion and it would be tragedy if Governor Evers yielded to pressure from teachers

(WISCONSIN) — Today, Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson Tommy Kubitschek released the following statement on Donald Trump saying that testing Is ‘overrated’: “At every turn since the pandemic began, President Trump has attacked the value of testing when every public health expert agrees that it is essential to addressing this crisis. In Wisconsin this week, we witnessed an all-time high in infection rates as cases here continue to soar. The glaring lack of a national testing program prevents public health officials from keeping our neighbors safe, and Republicans continue to attack any efforts to expand our response. It is clear that Trump

MADISON — Amid uncontrolled spread of the novel coronavirus in Wisconsin, WISPIRG and top health experts delivered a letter Thursday to Gov. Tony Evers, State Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, and State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, calling on the state leaders to shut back down, start over with new policies to thwart COVID-19, and to do it right. The letter calls for implementing stay at home restrictions to slow the virus, while increasing testing capacity and production of personal protective equipment. The more than 150 signers of the letter include Ezekiel J. Emanuel, MD, PhD-University of Pennsylvania, William Hanage, PhD-Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public

MILWAUKEE—Attorney Katie Kegel, respected as a fierce advocate and skilled trial attorney, announced today she has filed her candidacy for Circuit Court Judge in Milwaukee County’s Branch 3. The seat has been occupied by Judge Clare Fiorenza since her appointment by Governor Tommy Thompson in 1996. “For too many of our neighbors, the justice system is simply not providing justice,” said Attorney Kegel. “People coming to the courts needing help are instead being harmed. The courts have become an assembly line instead of a system devoted to justice.” Kegel has handled felony and misdemeanor cases as a staff attorney for

Washington, DC — Today, Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) and Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) introduced the Entertainments New Credit Opportunity for Relief & Economic Sustainability (ENCORES) Act. This bipartisan legislation would support independent music and entertainment venues as they work to survive the COVID-19 crisis. The COVID-19 and the necessary response to combat the spread of the disease is continuing to drastically impact Wisconsin’s artistic venues who, without any source of revenue or large corporate backers, are at risk of not being able to re-open after issuing refunds for canceled events. As spaces for indoor, large gatherings – arts venues were the first to close and will be the last to

MADISON, Wis. — Over the last three days, Opportunity Wisconsin has hosted a series of live conversations with furloughed Wisconsin workers to discuss the impending expiration of the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits created by the CARES Act. These benefits have provided support for about 700,000 unemployed Wisconsinites and served as a critical lifeline for millions more Americans out of work. Watch the full conversations here. Unless Trump and the Republican-controlled Senate take action before July 31, nearly 700,000 Wisconsinites will receive a $2,400/month pay cut starting August 1. Over 25,000 Wisconsin residents have lost their jobs due to the

Brookfield, WI – Americans are tired of the lies and denial of the Covid-19 pandemic coming out of the White House and the Republican Party, but Democrat Tom Palzewicz, running for the Fifth Congressional District seat in Washington,  promises transparency and empathy in working for a clear national plan to help. Palzewicz agrees with Joe Biden’s approach to fighting the virus, which calls for “a decisive public health response to curb the spread of this disease and provide treatment to those in need — as well as a decisive economic response that delivers real relief to American workers, families, and small

During the current coronavirus pandemic, we continue to provide help to you and other people in your communities.  While our offices are not providing service to walk-in visitors due to COVID-19, we remain ready and able to help you by phone with most Social Security business.  You can speak with a representative by calling your local Social Security office or our National 800 Number.  You can find local office phone numbers online by using our Social Security Office Locator at www.ssa.gov/locator. We offer many secure and convenient online services at www.ssa.gov/onlineservices, where you can: ·        Apply for Retirement, Disability, and Medicare benefits; ·        Check the status

MADISON. Wis. – The 2021 Wisconsin State Park admission sticker will for the first time feature a winter image designed by Emma Dzurbanova, a junior foreign exchange student from the Czech Republic at Rice Lake High School. The winning design will be printed on state park and forest annual vehicle admission stickers and will be displayed on more than 300,000 vehicles. “Winter sports are a major attraction at our state properties, so it is very fitting that they are being featured on the 2021 admission sticker,” said Mark Aquino, Wisconsin State Park System acting director. “It’s also a great fit with

MADISON – Wisconsin Women in Government (WWIG), a statewide, bipartisan, non-profit organization of women in government service, today announced it is seeking professional women to join the WWIG Board of Directors for a three year term beginning in August 2020. “Wisconsin Women in Government is fortunate to be led by a group of talented, hardworking women and we’re excited to be seeking several new members to join our board of directors. In these unique and challenging times, we need passionate women in government service now more than ever. If this describes you, we hope you’ll consider using your talents to