WED PM Update: Evers says COVID priorities unchanged despite dip in federal money

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Gov. Tony Evers says his priorities for coming federal COVID-19 stimulus money remain the same even though the state is now in line to receive $700 million less than expected. Still, he said a key piece is knowing whether the $2.5 billion will come in two payments split equally over the next year. The state previously expected t… 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

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Bills advance through Assembly and Senate floor sessions

Today’s Midday podcast covers a sampling of bills making their way through the Legislature. The Senate advanced a series of police reform bills and the Assembly passed bills to make publicly funded sports venues play the national anthem before games and to expand school voucher eligibility. wispolitics · 210512 Final Bills advance through Assembly and Senate floor sessions

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U.S. Reps. Pocan, Kind, Moore: Request full ARP funds for Wisconsin

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02), Gwen Moore (WI-04), and Ron Kind (WI-03) sent a letter today to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen opposing the Treasury’s reduced allocations for the state of Wisconsin from the American Rescue Plan’s Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. When the American Rescue Plan was signed into law, the Congressional Research Service estimated Wisconsin would receive $3.2 billion—$700 million more than the Treasury’s final issuance of $2.5 billion. Additionally, the lawmakers requested the Treasury provide Wisconsin with its funds in one single payment—rather than a two-part payment separated by a full year. “We passed the American Rescue

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Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition: Rally for at State Capitol to call for nonpartisan redistricting

MADISON, WI—Member organizations of Wisconsin’s Fair Maps Coalition will join State Senator Jeff Smith and State Representative Deb Andraca to re-introduce nonpartisan redistricting reform at a rally on Monday, May 17, at 12 noon, on the State Street side of the State Capitol. Other speakers include former Republican State Senator Dan Theno, Devin Anderson from the African-American Roundtable, and other leaders in the redistricting reform movement.“The keyword for redistricting is transparency,” said Sachin Chheda, Chair of the WI Fair Maps Coalition and Director of the Fair Elections Project. “We look forward to reintroduction of the ‘Iowa-model’ legislation to take map-drawing

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Milwaukee County Clerk Christenson: Announces return of passport processing services

MILWAUKEE – After suspending passport processing services in March of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, County Clerk George Christenson announced that U.S. Citizens will once again be able to apply for a U.S. passport in the County Clerk’s office beginning Tuesday, June 1. “I am pleased to announce that the Milwaukee County Clerk’s office will resume its operations as the U.S. passport application acceptance facility,” said Christenson. “With the widespread availability of the COVID-19 vaccine in Milwaukee County, corresponding with expanded capacity limits in County facilities, we will be able to accommodate those who wish to apply for a U.S.

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Opportunity Wisconsin: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel- “How President Biden’s rescue plan could help poor kids in Wisconsin”

MADISON, Wis.— In case you missed it, last week the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published an opinion article from Tim Smeeding, a Professor of Public Affairs and Economics at the La Follette School and former director of the Institute for Research on Poverty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. KEY POINT: “Passed in March, the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan offers the most sweeping anti-poverty package for children in U.S. history. The greatest benefit comes in the form of an expanded child tax credit, which estimates suggest will benefit 92% of all children in Wisconsin, including 140,000 poor kids.” Read more about how the American Rescue

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WisGOP: UW-Madison report exposes extent of Gov. Tony Evers’ failures on unemployment claims

[Madison, WI] – In case you missed it, a new report from UW-Madison is highlighting the extent of Gov. Tony Evers’ failures on processing state unemployment claims — finding that Wisconsin stands among the worst states in handling claims during the pandemic. According to the report, the Evers administration was paying out less than one-third of claims — giving Wisconsin one of the worst payment rates in the country. Additionally, nearly 30 percent of first payments were delayed more than 70 days, with some Wisconsinites waiting nearly ten months to receive their benefits. Wisconsin also held the second-highest overpayment rate nationally and

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U.S. Sen. Johnson: Our national security is at risk because Democrats have turned border security into a partisan issue

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined several Republican colleagues at a press conference earlier today to discuss the Biden administration’s creation of the humanitarian and security crisis at the southern border. The senator also offered an amendment at the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs business meeting that called for completing the approximately 250 miles of unfinished border wall that is already paid for. Every Republican in committee voted to secure the border and every Democrat voted against. A video from the press conference can be found here, from the Q&A here, and highlights are below. “We have, over the last two months, we’re

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Dept. of Military Affairs: Wisconsin safe room projects awarded $6.4 million in federal funding

MADISON, Wis. – More than $6.4 million in Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) funds provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will allow three Wisconsin communities to soon have new safe room facilities to help protect residents. The PDM program makes grants available to state and local governments for the implementation of long-term hazard mitigation measures. “Safe rooms are just one of many ways communities can be prepared for severe storms and tornadoes, which put the lives of everyone in their path at risk,” said Dr. Darrell L. Williams, Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) Administrator. “We are thankful to FEMA for their help

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WILL: Sues Biden administration for race, sex discrimination in allocation of COVID relief funds for restaurants

The News: The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of a Tennessee restaurant owner against the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) over race and gender discrimination in the administration of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, a $28.6 billion program authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The law requires the SBA to give priority preference to restaurants owned by certain minorities and women, while bumping white males and other minorities to the back of the line, for funds available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and only until they run out. WILL is asking for a temporary

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Dept. of Natural Resources: Seeking public comment for environmental review of city of Waterloo safe drinking water loan program project

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the City of Waterloo is an applicant for funding through the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program (SDWLP) to address deficiencies in its public drinking water system. The project includes the replacement of lead service lines throughout the City of Waterloo. Activities related to this project are minor actions under Chapter NR 150, Wis. Admin. Code, for which no environmental analysis is required; however, following the SDWLP federal requirement 40 C.F.R. §35.3580, an environmental review must be conducted before funding this project. The SDWLP has determined that the project will not

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Bills advance through Assembly and Senate floor sessions

Today’s Midday podcast covers a sampling of bills making their way through the Legislature. The Senate advanced a series of police reform bills and the Assembly passed bills to make publicly funded sports venues play the national anthem before games and to expand school voucher eligibility. wispolitics · 210512 Final

Read More »

U.S. Reps. Pocan, Kind, Moore: Request full ARP funds for Wisconsin

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02), Gwen Moore (WI-04), and Ron Kind (WI-03) sent a letter today to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen opposing the Treasury’s reduced allocations for the state of Wisconsin from the American Rescue Plan’s Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. When the American Rescue Plan was signed into

Read More »

Opportunity Wisconsin: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel- “How President Biden’s rescue plan could help poor kids in Wisconsin”

MADISON, Wis.— In case you missed it, last week the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published an opinion article from Tim Smeeding, a Professor of Public Affairs and Economics at the La Follette School and former director of the Institute for Research on Poverty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. KEY POINT: “Passed in March, the $1.9

Read More »

U.S. Sen. Johnson: Our national security is at risk because Democrats have turned border security into a partisan issue

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined several Republican colleagues at a press conference earlier today to discuss the Biden administration’s creation of the humanitarian and security crisis at the southern border. The senator also offered an amendment at the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs business meeting that called for completing the

Read More »

WILL: Sues Biden administration for race, sex discrimination in allocation of COVID relief funds for restaurants

The News: The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of a Tennessee restaurant owner against the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) over race and gender discrimination in the administration of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, a $28.6 billion program authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Read More »

Dept. of Natural Resources: Seeking public comment for environmental review of city of Waterloo safe drinking water loan program project

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the City of Waterloo is an applicant for funding through the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program (SDWLP) to address deficiencies in its public drinking water system. The project includes the replacement of lead service lines throughout the City of Waterloo.

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