(January 21, 2021, MILWAUKEE, WI) — Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO, released the following statement as President Biden issues an executive order calling on OSHA to immediately issue clear guidance on keeping workers safe from COVID-19 as well as enforce worker health and safety requirements. “Wisconsin workers voted for Joe Biden because he pledged to be the most pro-labor, pro-worker President in history. On his first full day in office, President Biden backed up his campaign trail promises by appointing James S. Frederick, a former union safety official with the United Steelworkers, to lead OSHA and issued a long-overdue

For Immediate Release Alicia Naleid, Director of Communications (608) 242-5151 ext. 13 Year-end numbers show encouraging data January 21, 2021 – The latest single-housing permit numbers show that new home construction is up ten percent at the end of 2020 compared to the end of 2019. The data, compiled by information required to be submitted by municipalities to the Department of Safety and Professional Services, shows 12,291 new home permits were issued across the state in 2020 compared to 11,207 in 2019. Quarter four is down slightly compared to quarter three, with 3,392 permits issued in quarter four of 2020 and

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today delivered the Democratic Radio Address on vaccine eligibility for Wisconsinites 65 and older, which begins Mon., Jan. 25, 2021. Hello, Wisconsin. Governor Tony Evers here. Wisconsinites across our state are ready and anxious to get vaccinated and that’s great because that’s how we kick this pandemic to the curb. That’s why this week we announced starting Monday, January 25th Wisconsinites ages 65 plus will be eligible for the vaccine. This is great news and will help save lives in one of the populations we know is particularly vulnerable to severe effects of the virus.

Today the Democratic National Committee is announcing its first senior staff hires following President Biden’s inauguration and the selection of DNC Chair Jaime Harrison: Sam Cornale will serve as Executive Director, and Mary Beth Cahill will continue her service to the party as Senior Advisor. At the DNC, this leadership team will work to grow President Biden’s political operation and infrastructure, advance the agenda of the Biden-Harris administration, and lay the groundwork for a successful midterm election for Democrats at every level of the ballot. The DNC will announce additional senior staff in the weeks ahead — continuing the Committee’s

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) today released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 335, a bill that would exempt General Lloyd Austin, President Biden’s nominee to serve as Secretary of Defense, from restrictions that prevent recently retired military officers from leading the Pentagon. Since the National Security Act was signed into law in 1947, Congress has made similar exemptions only twice before today. “In 2017, Sen. Jack Reed cautioned that granting waivers to allow recently retired military officers to serve atop the Pentagon “should happen no more than once in a generation.” He’s right. But today

Washington, DC— Today, Rep. Ron Kind opposed exempting General Lloyd Austin from the National Security Act of 1947, which requires the head of the Defense Department to be at least seven years past active duty. Because General Austin retired in 2016, he is precluded from serving as Defense Secretary without a Congressional waiver.     “Civilian oversight of the military is a pillar of our democracy,” said Rep. Ron Kind. “I’m here to serve the people of western and central Wisconsin and my loyalty is to our Constitution, not party leaders. Just as I did in 2017 when I opposed a waiver for Gen. Mattis—whose service to this country

(Waukesha, Wisconsin) – On Wednesday, January 20, 2021, the Waukesha County Circuit Court Judges unanimously selected and appointed Monica Paz to the position of Clerk of Circuit Court.  Monica has been serving as the interim Clerk of Circuit Court since May 8, 2020 when the position was vacated by her predecessor to serve in the Eastern District of Wisconsin.  She has presented invaluable organizational and leadership skills during her entire tenure with the Clerk of Courts Office, but especially during a very difficult period due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Monica has 22 years of experience with Waukesha County and holds an

MADISON — Today, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the presence of elevated levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) in surface water samples taken from Madison-area lakes and along the Yahara River. Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) and Representative Samba Baldeh (D-Madison) released the following statements regarding the DNR’s announcement and the need for legislative action: Senator Melissa Agard: “Water is life. We must protect the health and safety of all in our community. This includes taking all the steps we can to ensure that our waterways are clean and that the wildlife that depend on it are protected. The results

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin applauded President Biden for taking executive action today to expand federal funding for the Wisconsin National Guard to support ongoing COVID-19 response efforts in the state. Today, the Biden administration announced that it will restore full federal funding to Wisconsin with a 100 percent federal cost share extension for the National Guard to support the state during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The work of the Wisconsin National Guard has significantly strengthened our response to COVID-19 and it’s so important that President Biden is taking swift action to ensure their work can continue. This full

NEENAH, Wis. – This week marks another promising milestone in our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced adults over the age of 65, in addition to some other groups still being determined, will be eligible for theCOVID-19 vaccine on Monday, January 25, which will mark the beginning of Phase 1B. “Team members will be vaccinating larger groups while continuing to administer vaccines to ThedaCare team members and affiliate providers, as well as police and fire personnel,” explained Mark Cockley, MD, ThedaCare Chief Clinical Officer and President of Clinically Integrated Network. “We understand that older

MADISON —The People’s Maps Commission will hold a virtual public hearing at 5:30p.m. on Thurs., Jan. 28, 2021, to seek public input on the upcoming redistricting of legislative maps from constituents of Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District.  Although the Jan. 28 hearing will focus on the 7th Congressional District, all Wisconsin residents are encouraged to watch and participate. Anyone wishing to testify at the hearing must register in advance by visiting the People’s Maps Commission website HERE. The hearing is the Commission’s fifth in a series of at least eight meetings, one for each one of Wisconsin’s eight congressional districts. The virtual public hearing will include testimony from subject matter experts and also provide Wisconsinites the