Update on Wisconsin National Guard role throughout the pandemic

Today’s Midday podcast covers a variety of roles Wisconsin National Guard soldiers filled throughout the pandemic. From administering more COVID-19 tests than any other National Guard unit to fighting forest fires in California, thousands of troops helped the nation recover. wispolitics · Update on Wisconsin National Guard role throughout the pandemic

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WED PM Update: Both houses vote to end enhanced fed UI benefits; Senate approves election bills

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Both houses of the Legislature today voted along party lines to end enhanced federal unemployment benefits even as Gov. Tony Evers has signaled he will veto the bill. Assembly Republicans acknowledged that ending the extra $300 a week in UI wouldn’t be a silver bullet to address the state’s labor shortage. But they said it’s on… 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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Senate approves overhaul of absentee ballot procedures, ban on use of private money for election costs

Wisconsin would overhaul its policies for absentee ballots, indefinitely confined voters and the use of drop boxes under bills that cleared the state Senate today. The Senate also voted to ban the use of private money to cover the costs of an election. Many of the provisions in the four bills that cleared the Senate stem from the issues former President Trump raised as he unsuccessfully sought to overturn Wisconsin’s election results. That includes SB 204, which included changes to absentee ballots and indefinitely confined voters. The bill was substantially expanded on the floor to include provisions from two other

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Both houses vote to end enhanced federal unemployment benefits

Both houses of the Legislature today voted along party lines to end enhanced federal unemployment benefits even as Gov. Tony Evers has signaled he will veto the bill. Assembly Republicans acknowledged that ending the extra $300 a week in UI wouldn’t be a silver bullet to address the state’s labor shortage. But they said it’s one way to start forcing more people to join the workforce, arguing some state residents haven’t bothered to seek a job due to the additional benefits. The bill would require the governor and Department of Workforce Development to terminate the state’s participation in the federal

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Sen. Darling: Senate approves drop boxes for voting

Madison – Voters could soon have another convenient and secure option for voting. On Wednesday, the Wisconsin State Senate approved a bill authored by State Senator Alberta Darling that would make voting drop boxes legal. Senator Darling says voters need to know their ballot is secure and safe when voting absentee. “Drop boxes are an added convenience, and voters will still have the option of mailing their ballot,” Darling said, “Having legal and standardized drop boxes will help our elections run smoothly and restore confidence in our system.” Current Wisconsin law does not address drop boxes at all. In August of

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NAMI Wisconsin: Statement on election-related bills that would suppress voter participation

NAMI Wisconsin is concerned about the following bills because they will make it harder for some people who live with a mental illness to vote:  SB 204, SB 205, SB 206, SB 209.  We are especially concerned about the impact on those who vote as “indefinitely confined” voters, as well as residents of group homes and nursing homes.  So many amendments have been introduced this week and there has been no opportunity for public comment.  These are major changes that could limit the voting rights of hundreds if thousands of Wisconsin voters – more time is needed. We ask you

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Dept. of Natural Resources: Get the buzz on bumblebees with Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine

MADISON, Wis. – Celebrate summer and Wisconsin’s pollinators in the upcoming issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine available now. The Summer issue explores how the sound of a single bee, identified by a field ecologist, led to an exciting discovery late last summer in Milwaukee County: a nest of the rare rusty patched bumblebee. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was alerted of the find, setting off a buzz of research activity that conservation experts hope will aid efforts for the continued support of this federally endangered species. Read all about the rare rusty patched bumblebee and learn ways to help this

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Protect Our Care: USA Today- Prescription drug prices increased twice the inflation rate of US economy in 2020, AARP report finds

WISCONSIN — A new report from AARP shows that even as the COVID-19 pandemic drove Americans out of work, and cost millions of people their health coverage, prescription drug prices increased at twice the inflation rate of the U.S. economy in 2020. In response to reporting from USA Today, Protect Our Care released the following statement: “This report shines a bright light on what we already know to be true: the price of prescription drugs are out of control,” said Protect Our Care Communications Director Anne Shoup. “As drug companies are raking in record profits, seniors are facing impossible choices

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WisDems: DPW Chair Ben Wikler releases video statement in response to Ron Johnson’s vote against the US Innovation and Competition Act

Madison, Wis. — Today, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler released a video condemning Senator Ron Johnson’s vote against — and repeated efforts to kill — the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, which passed the Senate yesterday with broad bipartisan support. Click here to see the Chair Wikler’s remarks.

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A Better Wisconsin Together: Republican legislators cut mass transit aid for Wisconsin’s largest cities and fail to expand DMV access

MADISON, Wis. — Despite an influx of revenue to the state, Republican legislators in Wisconsin’s Joint Finance Committee took an axe to Wisconsinites’ transportation options. They halved the mass transit aid to Madison and Milwaukee, making public transit more difficult in Wisconsin’s largest cities. Suburban and rural voters were not spared, however, as GOP legislators declined Governor Evers’ proposals aimed to make it easier to access services at the Department of Motor Vehicles, like renewing drivers licenses. Wisconsin has faced a worker shortage since before the pandemic, with companies and talent opting for other states. Modern infrastructure and reliable transportation across

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Update on Wisconsin National Guard role throughout the pandemic

Today’s Midday podcast covers a variety of roles Wisconsin National Guard soldiers filled throughout the pandemic. From administering more COVID-19 tests than any other National Guard unit to fighting forest fires in California, thousands of troops helped the nation recover. wispolitics · Update on Wisconsin National Guard role throughout the

Read More »

Both houses vote to end enhanced federal unemployment benefits

Both houses of the Legislature today voted along party lines to end enhanced federal unemployment benefits even as Gov. Tony Evers has signaled he will veto the bill. Assembly Republicans acknowledged that ending the extra $300 a week in UI wouldn’t be a silver bullet to address the state’s labor

Read More »

Sen. Darling: Senate approves drop boxes for voting

Madison – Voters could soon have another convenient and secure option for voting. On Wednesday, the Wisconsin State Senate approved a bill authored by State Senator Alberta Darling that would make voting drop boxes legal. Senator Darling says voters need to know their ballot is secure and safe when voting absentee.

Read More »

WisDems: DPW Chair Ben Wikler releases video statement in response to Ron Johnson’s vote against the US Innovation and Competition Act

Madison, Wis. — Today, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler released a video condemning Senator Ron Johnson’s vote against — and repeated efforts to kill — the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, which passed the Senate yesterday with broad bipartisan support. Click here to see the Chair Wikler’s remarks.

Read More »

A Better Wisconsin Together: Republican legislators cut mass transit aid for Wisconsin’s largest cities and fail to expand DMV access

MADISON, Wis. — Despite an influx of revenue to the state, Republican legislators in Wisconsin’s Joint Finance Committee took an axe to Wisconsinites’ transportation options. They halved the mass transit aid to Madison and Milwaukee, making public transit more difficult in Wisconsin’s largest cities. Suburban and rural voters were not spared,

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