Grants were created to address the revenue shortfalls experienced by event venues and small businesses that cater to live events during the pandemic.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/evers-st.croix-chippewa-sign-s450.pngAmendment follows months of negotiations between the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin and the Division of Gaming, construction of a large sports book facility has begun within its Turtle Lake casino.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/clean-drinking-water-kid-s5.jpgNational Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan will help remove PFAS chemicals from drinking water and replace the country’s lead pipes in the next decade.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/wisc-dairy-farm-s5.jpgDirect support to farmers through three rounds of Farm Support Program exceeded $1 million in more than half of Wisconsin's 72 counties

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/evers-in-gb-2019.3.4-s5.jpgGov. Evers tours state to talk about the investments made in the economy. Highlights are provided here.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/clean-drinking-water-s5.jpgFunding Will Expand Access to Clean Water and Dependable Electric Power in People’s Homes and Businesses in Rural Communities

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/manufacturing-job-s5.jpgLowest it's been since November 2018 at 3 percent.

MADISON- Thursday, Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) and Representative Sondy Pope (D-Mount Horeb) released legislation requiring all school buildings to provide free menstrual products in bathrooms.

Senator Agard and Representative Pope released the following statements:

Senator Agard

“For far too long, menstruation has been stigmatized, hidden, and treated with shame and derision. Menstrual products are necessities, not luxuries. No one should have to miss work or school, risk their health, or compromise their dignity because they menstruate. No person should have to be without the products necessary to care for their health.

“It is well past time for the conversation of menstrual product accessibility and equality to be brought to the forefront, as those who menstruate here in Wisconsin should not have to continue to face the undue and unjust burdens of inaccessibility to essential products.”

Representative Pope

“Students should never have to worry about the distraction of a period-related episode while they are trying to learn. This possibility disproportionately affects students in poverty who cannot always afford to have hygiene products on hand. Having them provided at the school will undoubtedly help prevent embarrassing and traumatic incidents. Any opposition to this commonsense proposal is plainly sexist. Menstruation is a natural process just like any other bodily function and products to care for it should be as readily available as toilet paper.”

Funding these key projects is important to promote Wisconsin’s long-term success.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers announced that the Wisconsin State Building Commission approved 22 capital projects totaling $60.7 million across the state. Many of these projects include life safety improvements and deferred maintenance items.

“From updating facilities to ensure our Army National Guard has the space and capability to perform their duties to their full extent, to continuing our work to address improving our utility and water systems, these projects will play a critical role in ensuring the strength of our state’s infrastructure for years to come,” said Gov. Evers. “I’m thankful for the work of our State Building Commission in recognizing the importance of funding these key projects and for continuing to support proposals that promote Wisconsin’s long-term success.”

Highlights of approvals include:

• Releasing $21.5 million for small maintenance projects in facilities for all state agencies and the UW-System;
• Constructing a new Readiness Center replacement facility in Viroqua for the Department of Military Affairs. The new facility leverages $17 million in federal funds through a Department of Defense grant;
• Constructing a multi-floor expansion to the Administration Building at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery for the Department of Veterans Affairs;
• A site utility steam distribution replacement project at UW-Madison that is part of the 2019-21 Minor Facilities Renewal Program;
• Releasing additional Building Trust Funds for well siting and testing for a municipal water system improvements project at the Waupun Central Generating Plant; and
• Authorizing 18 maintenance and repair projects located at various locations in eight counties across the state for the Departments of Administration, Health Services, Military Affairs, and Natural Resources, as well as the Wisconsin Historical Society and the University of Wisconsin System.

The Building Commission is chaired by Gov. Evers and is comprised of the following members:

• State Sen. Janis Ringhand;
• State Sen. Jerry Petrowski;
• State Sen. André Jacque;
• State Rep. Jill Billings;
• State Rep. Rob Swearingen;
• State Rep. Robert Wittke; and
• Citizen member Summer Strand.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/voting-2020-538-s5.jpgEvers hopes to improve Republicans’ gerrymandered maps after Wisconsin Supreme Court rejects maps prepared by the nonpartisan redistricting commission.