Contact: ahcapressoffice@AHCA.org WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and long term care facilities across the country that provide care to approximately five million people each year, released a report today showing nursing homes in the U.S. have seen the lowest number of new COVID cases since the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) started tracking back in May 2020, suggesting that the vaccines are working. Recent CMS data shows that nursing homes have seen an 82 percent decline in new COVID cases among residents since the peak during

CONTACT: Sen. Steve Nass (608) 266-2635 Senator Steve Nass (R-Whitewater), Co-chair of the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR), was outraged by the failure of the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) to comply with state law regarding special voting deputies (SVDs) and the process for them going to nursing homes, residential care facilities and retirement homes to assist with absentee voting by residents of these facilities.  Today, the WEC knowingly issued another directive on SVDs for the April 6th Election that violates the law and ignores a lawful mandate given to the WEC by JCRAR (on February 11, 2021) to

Contact: DPW Communications (press@wisdems.org) MADISON – Following failed GOP congressional candidate Derrick Van Orden’s announcement that he was “seriously considering running” for Congress again, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler issued this statement: “In the months since Wisconsin voters rejected Derrick Van Orden, he’s launched Semitic and personal attacks on Twitter, spread conspiracy theories about his own election, and demonstrated alongside the rioters who attacked the very building he’d sought to work in. Derrick Van Orden’s extremism doomed him at the ballot box the first time around, and the result will be no different if he runs again.”

Contact: Michele Witecha, DNR Prescribed Fire Specialist Michele.Witecha@wisconsin.gov or 608-333-3664 MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today that fire management crews plan to conduct prescribed burns on DNR properties throughout the state from March 2 through mid-June. These burns take advantage of Wisconsin’s optimal conditions during the spring. Additional prescribed burns will occur in late summer and fall (mid-July through November). The DNR utilizes prescribed burning to preserve and restore fire-dependent ecosystems found within state-managed properties throughout Wisconsin. These burns mimic the natural benefits fire historically provided: a decrease in dead grass (thatch) buildup; improved spaces for wildlife to

Contact: press@baldwin.senate.gov WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) today joined Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) to call for Senate passage of the American Rescue Plan to address the major public health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This week, the U.S. Senate is taking up a comprehensive package of legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives that will increase vaccinations and testing, ensure access to health coverage, promote health equity, and invest in behavioral health. “We have not beaten this pandemic and people are still struggling in Wisconsin and across this country. We need to take