Contact: Jennifer Miller/Elizabeth Goodsitt 608-266-1683 The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announces it is helping employers and community-based organizations connect with vaccine providers in order to offer on-site vaccinations. This will help bring vaccinations to where people are and provide increased protection from COVID-19 in their communities. The program is part of the statewide effort to promote vaccine equity by making COVID-19 vaccines more accessible for Wisconsinites. “The COVID-19 vaccines are the best tools we have to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities from the virus. And our biggest priority is to ensure all Wisconsinites have the

Contact: Joe Zepecki jz@jzcomms.com 202-445-1517 WISCONSIN — Four years ago, House Republicans took a fateful vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which would have ripped coverage away from more than 20 million Americans and protections from 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions. Four years later, the law is stronger than ever as President Biden is delivering on his promise to build on the health care law and expand access to affordable health care. In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement: “Elections matter. Republicans paid for this disastrous vote in 2018 when they

Contact: Samara Sheff, 202-495-8879 Bill would amend current tax law to allow victims of domestic abuse to have penalty-free early access to their retirement fund. Today, Representatives Gwen Moore (D-WI-04), Lucy McBath (D-GA-06), and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA-11) introduced the Savings Access For Escaping and Rebuilding (SAFER) Act, a bill to allow penalty-free withdrawals from retirement plans for domestic abuse victims. The bill gives survivors of domestic abuse the ability to access funds to be used to escape their abuser, promote the safety of themselves and their families, and begin the process of rebuilding their lives.  “Domestic abuse survivors often need access to financial resources

Contact: Pamela Toshner, DNR Lake & Watershed Protection Specialist Pamela.Toshner@wisconsin.gov or 715-635-4073 MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the department is launching its Healthy Watersheds, High-Quality Waters initiative to protect the state’s waters. Wisconsin is home to approximately 17,000 lakes, 650 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, 86,000 miles of streams and 5.3 million acres of additional wetlands. The DNR is committed to protecting these resources for future generations. The DNR’s Healthy Watersheds, High-Quality Waters statewide initiative provides a road map for how to strike an improved balance between restoration and protection, all while emphasizing and celebrating the

Contact: Sarah Abel, Phone: 202-225-5506, Sarah.Abel@mail.house.gov  La Crosse, WI – Today, Rep. Ron Kind announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is awarding Head Start Emergency Supplemental grants of $89,087 to Wood County Head Start, Inc. and $33,107 to the Ho-Chunk Nation. “The early childhood services provided through Head Start are critical to helping our students reach their full potential,” said Rep. Ron Kind. “I’m thrilled to see this investment in our children’s futures. As we emerge from the COVID-19 crisis, this funding is critical to ensuring our children can continue to grow in a positive learning environment.” “The Ho-Chunk Nation is constantly working to

Contacts: Kerry Beheler, Kerry.beheler@gmail.com and Gary Radloff,  glradloff@gmail.com both of WGF’s Energy Work Group  Few American’s think about the grid and the future of energy when switching on a porch light or charging up their cell phones, but many are concerned about where energy comes from.  Whether that electric current comes from hydropower from rivers, a coal-fired power plant, or a solar panel on a roof, all energy systems have costs as well as benefits, and these vary as markets and resources evolve.  While many people may feel they lack technical background on complex energy topics, Wisconsin’s future economy and