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Assembly approves bill to allow DWD to update computers

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The Wisconsin Assembly voted unanimously on Tuesday, for legislation starting the task of updating the state’s unemployment insurance system. The Senate passed the bill, which was amended to include liability protections for businesses, last week.

Democratic Governor Tony Evers has said he will sign the bill. Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) said the governor bears responsibility for thousands of people who waited months for benefits. “To literally have people where less than one percent of the calls were answered. And that took months to solve,” Vos said.

Evers had called a special session to deal with the Department of Workforce Development’s aging computers. Vos said that wasn’t necessary. “We know, he has the ability under current law,” he said. “The Fiscal Bureau has the memo. It was very clear, he could have done this weeks ago.”

The bill allows DWD to put out bids for the project, expected to cost at least $80 million dollars. But the agency will need permission from the legislature’s budget committee to proceed.

Second straight day of no COVID-19 deaths in Wisconsin

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For a second straight day, there were no deaths due to COVID-19 reported in Wisconsin.

On Monday, the U.S. as a whole surpassed 500,000 coronavirus deaths since the start of the pandemic, about 19 percent of the global total, although the U.S. accounts for just 4 percent of the world’s population.

In Wisconsin though, the state Department of Health Services reported no deaths for a second day on Monday. DHS reported 423 new cases, and as of Monday afternoon the seven-day average percent positive by test was 2.6%, the lowest in nearly a year.

Evers capital budget proposes nearly $2.4 billion for building projects

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Governor Tony Evers’ proposed capital budget targets nearly $2.4 billion towards building projects around Wisconsin.

The Democratic governor wants to borrow about $2 billion for 2021-2023 projects, and spend more a billion dollars for projects on UW System campuses.

Evers also proposes funding a new state office building in Milwaukee, and planning for a new office building in downtown Madison.

There’s also money for new facilities to treat juvenile offenders, to replace the Lincoln Hills-Cooper Lake juvenile prison. The Republican controlled legislature will have final say on the projects.

Evers defends proposed budget as Republicans voice disapproval on his spending targets

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Governor Tony Evers

Governor Tony Evers defends his proposed $91 billion state budget. On WKOW‘s “Capitol City Sunday,” Evers characterized his two year spending plan as a responsible reasonable response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“I understand the numbers might be jarring, but the fact of the matter is we have an obligation as a state to really help our economy move forward and especially small businesses,” the governor said.

Also on “Capitol City Sunday,” Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said Republicans won’t spend anywhere near what Evers wants.

Senator Devin LeMahieu

“Eight billion dollars in spending increases – that’s just unacceptable in the environment we’re in,” LeMahieu said. “We’ll make sure we make investments in core priorities just as medical care and infrastructure.”

Republicans also quickly rejected policy changes Evers put in the budget, including language to legalize marijuana.

What to know about reactions to second dose of coronavirus vaccine

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Some people who receive a second dose of a coronavirus vaccine are feeling aftereffects from that. Stephanie Schauer is Immunization Program Manager with the state Division of Public Health.

“Individuals are reporting that they’re feeling more of a systemic response after that second dose, or people who have had COVID who are now being vaccinated.”

Schauer said it’s important to understand that the response is an expected part of immunization, and show that the body is responding. They may include soreness at the vaccination site, body aches and general fatigue.

“Certainly if they last for longer or they have any concerns, they should contact their doctor. But that response shows that they are mounting an immune response. So they may not feel great for a day or two, but the benefits certainly outweigh that short term discomfort.”

As of Sunday, the state Department of Health Services reported 1,180,445 doses administered, including 806,867 second doses. A total of 13.9% of state residents have completed their vaccine series.

‘A liberal’s dream’ – JFC co-chairs critique Evers’ budget proposal

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Rep. Mark Born

The Republican co-chairs of the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee are not enthusiastic about Governor Tony Evers’ proposed budget.

The finance committee will rewrite the $91 billion dollar, two year spending plan from the Democratic governor. During a WisPolitics virtual event on Thursday, the co-chairs were not loving what they’re seeing.

“We are in a similar spot to where we were last time, or I would say even worse,” said Representative Mark Born (R – Beaver Dam). “Even higher spending, more taxes and more divisive policy.”

Born said he and Senate co-chair Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) had earlier sent Evers a letter in which they specifically requested that he not include certain things in his proposal. “Don’t include a bunch of divisive policy that doesn’t belong. Don’t include huge tax increases. Don’t go on a massive spending spree like you did last time.’ And then he did all three of those things.”

Sen. Howard Marklein

Markein was even more blunt in assessing the governor’s plan. “I guess I would characterize his budget as a liberal’s dream.”

The JFC co-chairs indicated that pieces like legalized marijuana, a minimum wage increase and a juvenile justice overhaul are unlikely to survive the budgeting process.

Senate Democrats angered as some Republicans chose not to wear masks

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The Wisconsin state Senate was on the floor Thursday, with members present in person and some Republicans not wearing masks.

Senator Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee) was not happy with them. “You didn’t care about other people in this body that you serve with, and that’s very frustrating,” said Carpenter, who wore a Milwaukee Brewers mask over a second mask. “Never before have I seen a public health epidemic that’s been made political.”

Senator Mary Felzkowski (R-Irma) said she didn’t appreciate Carpenter’s comments. “I don’t think that I would automatically assume that he’s a mean, hateful, spiteful person. I’m trying not to anyway. One of the things I’m tired of is mask shaming.”

Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu on Wednesday announced Senators will no longer be able to attend floor sessions or committee meetings via ZOOM.

“You can demand that we come to this chamber in person and that’s fine, we’re all here,” said Senator Kelda Roys (D-Madison). “But now that we’re here, please wear a mask out of respect, out of human decency, for the others that are here that you don’t know our history. For our families.”))

The comments about masks came as the Senate voted 27-3 to pass a Republican plan to overhaul Wisconsin’s outdated unemployment insurance computer system. The Assembly will take up the measure on Tuesday, and Evers has indicated he’ll sign it. “It’s not enough, but it’s at least a step in the right direction,” the governor said.

Vos asks Evers to order flags at half-staff for Rush Limbaugh

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Wisconsin Capitol flags WRN image

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos wants flags in Wisconsin lowered to half-staff, to honor the late Rush Limbaugh.

The conservative radio host, who died of lung cancer on Wednesday, was a Missouri native and Florida resident with no connection to Wisconsin.

But in a letter to Governor Tony Evers requesting that Wisconsin and U.S. flags be flown at half staff Vos said “there is no question that he made a lasting impact on political discourse and conservativism in our nation.”

Some people quickly pointed out that no such request was made to similarly honor Hank Aaron when the legendary Major Leaguer, who had close ties to Wisconsin, died last month.

 

JFC approves plan to upgrade UI computer system

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A Republican plan to overhaul Wisconsin’s outdated unemployment insurance computer system will be taken up by the state Senate on Thursday, after clearing the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee on Wednesday

JFC co-chair, Representative Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam) made a point of tagging Governor Tony Evers for thousands of people not receiving their benefits during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.

“The citizens of Wisconsin needed the governor to show up and lead during a time of crisis,” Born said during Wednesday’s public hearing. “Unfortunately the failures with the unemployment system, and getting people the benefits they so desperately needed is one of many and probably most significant examples we’ve seen of a lack of leadership and management from this administration.”

“This is simply not acceptable, and the system must be fixed,” JFC co-chair Senator Dan Feyen (R-Fond du Lac) said. “I’m not here to cast blame or point fingers, I’m here to ask you to help me fix the problem. We have a responsibility to do better, and get the system fixed.”

Department of Workforce Development interim Secretary Amy Pechacek told the budget panel that the agency is ready to begin work on an upgrade. “We’ve continued our research, so whatever step we need to get that funding to get that funding dedicated to this project, and the support to continue the funding moving forward, we are committed to do what it takes to get this going.”

The plan was approved on a 15-0 vote as members from both parties agreed the issues must be fixed.

The Evers administration would have to get permission from the Legislature’s budget committee to obtain funding for the project, which could cost $80 million or more. It also includes language to protect businesses from coronavirus-related lawsuits. An Evers spokesperson would not say whether the governor supported the proposal.

Evers’ proposed budget includes major investments in K-12 schools and UW System

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Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers’ proposed two-year state budget includes a major focus on K-12 education funding.

“So for the second budget in a row, our Badger Bounceback agenda proposes that the state delivers on its commitment to two-thirds funding for our schools.” The Democratic governor says that idea has bipartisan support. “Let’s stop talking about it, and just get it done.”

Evers proposed a $91 billion two-year spending plan includes a $1.6 billion increase in funding for K-12 schools.

Evers’ proposed budget also keeps a UW System tuition freeze in place, while dramatically increasing funding.

“We’re also going to fund that freeze and invest $190 million into the UW System over the next two years. So at the end of this biennium, when all is said and done, the state will again be investing more GPR dollars annually in the UW System than the Department of Corrections.”

Republicans who control the legislature supported the tuition freeze, but they’re likely to balk at that large an investment in the UW System.

Evers ended his state budget address Tuesday night with a challenge to legislators. “Our opportunity to bounce back from this crisis calls for you to summon the will to get this done. There’s no time for false promises of hope and prosperity, with empty words that you know full well won’t match your actions. You can disagree with me if you want, but don’t punish the people we serve so you can settle a score no one but you is keeping.”

All told, the Democratic governor’s proposal increases state spending by 10 percent over the next two years. State government would have an overall operating budget of $45.4 billion in the first year of the budget and $45.6 billion in the second.

Evers has included budget language creating a state-based exchange through the Affordable Care Act, part of a proposal to expand the state’s acceptance of federal Medicaid funding. Evers’ office estimates that would benefit around 90,000 people. The governor has also proposed legalizing recreational and medical marijuana.

“It’s disappointing to see that once again, the governor is taking an approach to our state’s budget that increases the tax burden on Wisconsinites and invests in the wrong priorities,” said Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke. “By building his budget on non-negotiables like legalizing recreational marijuana and expanding government-run healthcare, the governor is once again taking an all-or-nothing approach to governing.”

“While there are items in the budget we can agree and build on – things like funding our schools and expanding the Child Psychiatry Consultation Program – I along with my Assembly Republican colleagues will be focused on bringing to the table a budget that reflects Wisconsin priorities, not another liberal wishlist.”

Evers’ proposal now goes to the legislature’s Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee.