Wisconsin needs more than cosmetic funding proposals, we lag behind so many other states.

MADISON – Senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) released the following statement Thursday regarding Republican State legislators press conference proposals aimed at addressing the issue of homelessness.

"I guess we are in a kinder, gentler time. The problem is that my Republican colleagues have been able to walk out of the doors of the Capitol and step over sleeping homeless residents for years. They stood silently by while the Walker administration ran homeless residents out of the Capitol basement, where they could escape the cold or extreme heat, at least during the business hours of the building. They were complicit in many of the policy decisions that have made it harder for Wisconsin residents to break the cycle of poverty. They have vigorously fought measures to add additional funding and initiatives that were brought up by me and my colleagues in finance motions and legislation offered over the years.

I am glad this is on their radar. However, I hope that real dollars, and not cosmetic funding proposals, will be what is proposed. We lag behind so many other states in the funding, programming and necessary legislative commitment to change homelessness in this state. I look forward to finding common ground and action on these issues.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/childcare-infant-s5.jpgNearly $28 Million Investment in State Budget Will Improve Access to Care, Help Address Racial Disparities

Health Centers meet the unique challenges residents face in the area, funding commitment must be a priority in state budget.

MADISON – Senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) released the following statement Thursday ahead of Governor Tony Evers press announcement about healthcare initiatives in his upcoming budget at a press conference at Milwaukee Health Services in Milwaukee.

"These health centers are the pulse of this community’s health and wellness. For far too long, they have been underfunded and undervalued. While rising to the challenge to meet the unique issues that face residents in the area, they have done so on a shoestring budget. The lines are wrapped around the buildings in the early hours of the morning to access services, many of which must be offered on a limited and first-come, first-serve basis.

For 16-years, I have been saying this is unacceptable. We must be deliberate in our funding commitment and it must be a priority in the state’s budget. Initiatives are welcome and so is adequate funding for Milwaukee Health Services’ existing work.“

MADISON - Governor Tony Evers announced the following appointments on Thursday:

Governor Tony Evers to chair the Interagency Council on Homelessness

Summer Strand as the Governor’s Designee to the Building Commission

Dr. Timothy Rose to the Fox River Navigational System Authority

Hank Newell to WEDC

Joe Kirgues to WEDC

John Brogan to WEDC

Becca Cooke to WEDC

Thelma Sias to WEDC

Kurt Fielding to the Athletic Trainers Affiliated Credentialing Board

Joel Enking to the Snowmobile Recreation Council

Jill Hoyt to the Dietitians Affiliated Credentialing Board

Tim Size to the Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority

Robert Misey to the Accounting Examining Board

Karl Linck to the Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers, and Land Surveyors

Katherine Schrubbe to the Dentistry Examining Board

Scott Krueger to the Dietitians Affiliated Credentialing Board

Peter Kallio to the Board of Nursing

Linda Pellmann to the Marriage and Family Therapy Professional Counseling and Social Work Examining Board

Lee Van Zeeland to the Snowmobile Recreation Council

Greg Winkler to the Marriage and Family Therapy Professional Counseling and Social Work Examining Board

Legislative Republicans choose to exclude Democrats from Milwaukee press conference on homelessness, fail to invite Black Caucus whose communities are deeply affected.

MILWAUKEE - Rep. David Bowen (D-Milwaukee) released the following statement in response to Democrats being excluded from Republicans’ Milwaukee press conference on homelessness:

“I am terribly disappointed in my Republican colleagues’ decision to hold their Milwaukee press conference on homelessness without speaking to or even inviting members of the Milwaukee Delegation or Black Caucus whose communities are deeply affected by this issue. Once again, Republicans have chosen to act unilaterally on a critical issue that should not be partisan rather than work with Democrats to truly solve the problems affecting the citizens of Wisconsin and Milwaukee. Homelessness is not a Republican or Democratic issue–it is a Wisconsin issue that needs to be effectively addressed by stakeholders on both sides of the aisle.”

This morning, members of the Republican caucus are holding a press conference to roll out a bill package focused on homelessness at the Milwaukee-based non-profit “Pathfinders”, an organization dedicated to combating homelessness and providing services to youth in need. In addition, Rep. Bowen has a history of collaborating on youth issues much prior to being elected to the Legislature.

“Personally, I find it quite troubling that Republicans have chosen to hold this press conference in the 10th Assembly District, a district I have represented since 2015, without seeking participation or input from myself, Senator Taylor, or the other Democratic lawmakers who represent not just this district, but the city of Milwaukee at large,” Rep. Bowen continued.

“Last week, Republicans decided to speak for Wisconsin’s Black community while disregarding the input of Wisconsin’s Black legislators. This week, Republicans have decided to speak on an issue that deeply affects Milwaukee without even consulting legislators from Milwaukee. What’s next?”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/high-voltage-lines-farms-s5.jpgWisconsin would save $279 million in the current budget if the Federal MA money is accepted by January 1st of next year. Walker had refused to accept the money in large part to position himself to campaign for president.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/hicap-residents1-s5.jpgThird of three columns describing the importance of water in Wisconsin. Conserving water by limiting high capacity wells, preventing the destruction of wetlands and reinvesting in science at the DNR are easy ways we can keep drinking water clean.

Caregivers are unsung heroes, supporting and caring for friends and loved ones so they can stay in their homes.

U.S. Department of Agriculture is giving funding priority for grant applications to address opioid misuse and increase Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education in rural communities.

STEVENS POINT, WI – Wisconsin Rural Development State Director Frank Frassetto announced Friday that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is giving funding priority in a key grant program for applications to address opioid misuse and increase Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education in rural communities.

“USDA recognizes the need to combat opioid misuse and support STEM skills in rural communities,” Frassetto said. “By targeting our investments, USDA can be a stronger partner in helping equip rural communities with the resources they need to enhance their prosperity.”

USDA may award 10 special consideration points for opioid-related Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) projects or for those that provide STEM education as their primary purpose. The application deadline for these projects is May 15, 2019.

All DLT applications can be submitted electronically at grants.gov or in hard copy to: USDA Rural Development Telecommunications Programs, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Room 2844, Mail Stop 1597, Washington, DC 20250-1597.

President Donald J. Trump has mobilized his entire Administration to address opioid misuse by directing the declaration of a nationwide Public Health Emergency. To help local leaders respond to this epidemic, USDA has worked to build infrastructure for prevention, treatment and recovery, facilitate partnerships, and drive innovation in rural communities.

Last year, USDA worked with the Office of National Drug Control Policy to establish a White House Rural Opioid Federal Interagency Working Group that is improving coordination of federal resources in rural America. In December, USDA launched the Community Opioid Misuse Toolbox. This initiative includes the Community Resource Guide (PDF, 1.7 MB), a comprehensive directory of federal resources that can help rural communities address the opioid crisis, and the Community Assessment Tool, an interactive database to help community leaders assess how and why the opioid epidemic is impacting their regions. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/topics/opioids.

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USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/wi

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/marijuana-farm-s5.jpgGovernor would align laws with people’s support for medical marijuana and the current use of CBD oil. The proposals would also decriminalize possession of 25 grams or less and review past incarcerations.