http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/vets-ready-1-s450.jpgWisconsin is home to approximately 343,000 veterans, and more than 55,000 veteran-owned businesses.

Friday morning, Gov. Tony Evers grants 29 pardons, recognizing that people are more than their past and acknowledges their efforts to build a future.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers announced today that he has granted another 29 pardons, bringing total pardons granted by the governor since reinstating the Governor’s Pardon Advisory Board in 2019 to 307. The Governor’s Pardon Advisory Board heard from applicants virtually on Oct. 8, 2021, and applications that were selected for expedited review or recommended by the Board were forwarded to Gov. Evers for final consideration. 

“A pardon can be a powerful message for individuals who have worked hard to establish themselves as contributing members of their community—one that recognizes that people are more than their past and acknowledges their efforts to build a brighter future,” said Gov. Evers. “I am proud to grant these 29 pardons today and the more than 300 pardons I’ve been able to grant since 2019. Reaching this milestone is a tremendous feat, and we'll work to continue this important process.”

Gov. Evers granted pardons to the following people:

• Lateasha Nicole was 28 when she was found in possession of marijuana. A successful small businesswoman, she continues to give back to her community helping domestic violence survivors and those struggling with substance use in Racine.
• Anthony Keys was 27 when he sold a controlled substance to undercover officers to try to make ends meet to support his family. In the 18 years since, he has volunteered with youth in his community in Milwaukee and found rewarding work as a personal caregiver.
• Alan Torres was 20 when he and friends took and drove a vehicle that did not belong to them and attempted to take another vehicle. He has been a reliable employee at the same company for over fifteen years and lives with his family in West Bend.
• Kenn Denniston was 20 when he took a check from his roommate, made it out to himself, and cashed it, then later issued his own checks without sufficient funds. He started and runs his own video production company in Middleton, where he lives with his family.
• Matthew Ryan struggled in his mid-twenties with substance use and took money for contracted work without completing the project before writing a series of checks without sufficient funds in his account. He is a veteran and a small business owner who lives with his family in Saukville.
• Benjamin Reinwand was 20 when he and two other individuals sold a controlled substance to undercover officers. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he takes care of his nephews while his active-duty sister is deployed overseas. He lives in Marshfield.
• Yussef Morales was 20 when he was pulled over and an officer found marijuana in the vehicle. An active community leader, he founded the Wisconsin Puerto Rican Festival, flew to Puerto Rico to help after Hurricane Maria with the Red Cross, and today, coaches youth sports. He lives with his family in West Allis.
• Cortni Crum was 23 when she took checks from a classmate’s purse and used them without permission. She earned her associate degree and has made significant contributions to her community in Milwaukee as a volunteer.
• Caroline Williams was 18 when she took her college roommate’s credit card and made unauthorized purchases. A mother of three, she has owned and operated a small business for fifteen years in Milwaukee.
• Latoya Williams was 27 when she was found in possession of controlled substances. She earned the support of the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office for her pardon. A mother of four, she lives in Milwaukee and works as a caregiver, aspiring to open her own daycare.
• Marchele Zeeb-Wilks was 36 when she and another individual cashed checks without the permission of the account holder. Now a grandmother, she works as a caregiver in her hometown of Milwaukee and hopes to start a group home for children. She earned the support of the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office for her pardon.
• Hope Wachendorf was 22 when she helped her friend sell marijuana. She is now a project assistant in the construction industry and looks forward to becoming a notary public. She and her two daughters live in Waukesha.
• Marsha Ashley was 21 when she escalated a verbal altercation with her daughter’s school principal to a physical one. She earned her associate degree as a medical administrative assistant, works for a warehousing company, and volunteers at homeless shelters. A mother and grandmother, she and her family live in Milwaukee.
• Brandi Shisler was 19 when she made unauthorized purchases on her college roommate’s father’s credit card. After graduation, she went to work in human resources and got involved in her daughter’s school. She lives with her family in Everett, Washington.
• Steven Zoske was 20 when he attempted to obtain a controlled substance with a fraudulent prescription and 23 when he was found in possession of another controlled substance. After completing a recovery program, he stayed on as the house manager to mentor others through his experience. A shipping manager, he lives in Waterford with his wife and new twins.
• Wayne Weidner was 29 when he sold marijuana to undercover officers over 30 years ago. He earned the support of the Washington County District Attorney’s Office for his pardon and has long been a caregiver to family in Menomonee Falls—even after surviving two heart attacks himself.
• Steven Beloungy was 20 when he sold a controlled substance to an undercover officer and 30 when he unlawfully purchased a firearm. More than 30 years later, he has started his own jerky business, owned a sandwich shop, and worked across the service industry. He lives in Lodi with his wife and dreams of operating an outfitter lodge.
• Dominic Orrico was 35 when he sold a controlled substance to an informant. After helping law enforcement, he raised his son as a single parent and earned his associate degree before working in the medical field until his retirement in 2018. He was an active member of the U.S. Army Reserve until 2008 and now lives in Sparta, where he continues to play music and hopes to one day run for public office.
• Stephen Rowe was 23 when he sold a controlled substance to an undercover officer on three occasions. In the almost 40 years since, he has worked as a mortgage consultant and is now aiming to enter the insurance agency. He lives in Azusa, California, where he is active in the local theater.
• Dwayne Bland, Jr., was 17 when he sold a controlled substance to an undercover officer. He now owns a small business and works as a sales agent for a health insurance company. A published journalist covering social issues, he is also an active volunteer in his home community of Madison.
• Tarah Hillard was 20 when she sold marijuana to an undercover officer. While working as a bartender, she has studied for a culinary arts degree and aspires to start her own catering company. She lives in Milwaukee with her three kids.
• Kermiath McClendon was 22 when he was found in possession of a controlled substance. In the 19 years since, he has completed his associate and bachelor’s degrees and become active in his community. He is a program officer with a community organization, while also having worked for and sat on the board of other similar organizations, including a previous job in economic development with the city of Milwaukee. He lives in Glendale, where he raises his young cousin.
• Nicholas Stauff was 20 when he sold a controlled substance to a confidential informant while attending UW-Whitewater. He completed his bachelor’s degree and has worked his way up to vice president in his career. He lives in Pewaukee with his wife and two children.
• Benjamin Schmidt was 19 when officers found marijuana in his apartment. He now works as an insurance underwriter and looks forward to completing his degree in Spanish. He lives in Plover with his wife and daughter.
• Sandra Gillespie was 31 when she failed to report her income, resulting in a grant of public assistance to which she was not lawfully entitled. She has since completed nursing school and is excited to advance her career in that field. She lives with her children in Milwaukee.
• Tom Thomas was 25 when he sold marijuana to a confidential informant. He has been a network architect for a credit union for over ten years, and he now lives in Roseville, California with his wife and daughter.
• Czaka Bogan was 19 when she was convicted of maintaining a drug trafficking place. She has since received her CNA license and has worked as a caregiver for over ten years. She lives in Racine.
• Alan Moore was 19 when he sold controlled substances to a confidential informant. He has raised his four children and worked in manufacturing for 25 years. He now lives in Two Rivers.
• Richard Reid was 19 when he was found in possession of a controlled substance more than 30 years ago. He lives in Phoenix, Arizona, where he runs his own event promotion and marketing business.

The Wisconsin Constitution grants the governor the power to pardon individuals convicted of a crime. A pardon is an official act of forgiveness that restores rights lost when someone is convicted of a felony, including the right to serve on a jury, hold public office, and hold certain professional licenses. A pardon does not expunge court records.

Under Executive Order #30, individuals convicted of a Wisconsin felony may apply for a pardon if they completed their sentence at least five years ago and have no pending criminal charges. Individuals currently required to register on the sex offender registry are ineligible for a pardon. Executive Order #130 established an expedited review process for applications that meet stricter criteria, including a greater length of time elapsed since sentence completion and nonviolent nature of the offenses.

The pardon application, instructions, and answers to frequently asked questions about the pardon process can be found on the Governor’s website at https://evers.wi.gov/pardons.

The Governor’s Pardon Advisory Board will continue to meet virtually monthly and will be reconvening again today, Nov. 12, 2021. The hearing will air on wiseye.org/live from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Bills address the sexual assault kit backlog and are important pieces of bipartisan legislation for survivors of sexual violence, says Agard.

MADISON - Thursday, the State Assembly voted on Senate Bills 71 and 94, bills aimed at addressing the sexual assault kit backlog in Wisconsin. The bills will be sent to Governor Tony Evers’ desk to await his signature.

Senator Agard released the following statement regarding the passage of the two bills:

“This is a huge win for survivors across our state. I have championed legislation regarding sexual assault kits and our state’s backlog for three sessions. I have heard from victims and survivors of sexual assault. I carry their stories with me, and have promised them I will work tirelessly on their behalf to create a better system. The bills passed today will ensure a procedure is in place that upholds survivors’ dignity, choice, and the right to a fair and just process, protecting those who choose not to report at the time of an assault, or who change their minds. While the passage of these bills is a victory, there is much more work to be done on this issue in the state of Wisconsin.

“Senate Bills 71 and 94 are important pieces of bipartisan legislation for survivors of sexual violence across our state. While it sometimes feels like we are destined to continue operating solely within our own parties, these bills show all Wisconsinites that we can be a better, more deliberative and cooperative body - that we can come together to make effective change.

“Due to the hard work of a bipartisan group of legislators and expertise of advocates, law enforcement, health care providers, and Attorney Generals Josh Kaul and Brad Schimel - I know these bills will be  comprehensive in their approach to solving the issue of sexual assault kit storage, processing, and tracking in Wisconsin.

“I want to thank the bipartisan group of legislators committed to making these bills a reality. These bills are long overdue, but I am grateful that survivors in our state will finally have a process that honors their dignity and properly supports them. For survivors across our state, we see you, we hear you, we honor you with the passage of these bills. These bills are for you.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/voting-2020-538-s5.jpgThursday's action bakes in the 2011 Republican Gerrymander, lacks transparency, dilutes the voices of populous urban areas and communities of color, says former Attorney General.

NECEDAH — Gov. Tony Evers today signed Senate Bill 345, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 91. This bill designates State Highway 21 between Sparta and Oshkosh as a Purple Heart Memorial Highway. 

“Throughout history, our Purple Heart recipients have put their lives on the line in defense of the liberties we hold dear, so I am glad to sign this bill into law today, designating the entirety of State Highway 21 as a Purple Heart Memorial Highway,” said Gov. Evers. “I am also proud to take this action on Veterans Day as we celebrate and recognize our state and nation’s veterans. My hope is that this Purple Heart Memorial Highway serves as a reminder of the incredible sacrifices made by our service members who know the true cost of freedom.”

The governor took action on Senate Bill 345 on Veterans Day in Necedah at the Necedah Veterans Memorial Hall where we was joined by local veterans and community members. The Purple Heart Memorial Highway is meant to honor all recipients of the Purple Heart, which is the nation’s oldest military award and recognizes those who are injured or killed by enemy action.

Senate Bill 345, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 91:

• Requires the entire route of State Highway 21 to be designated a Purple Heart Memorial Highway.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/assembly-wi-robin-vos-s450.jpgVote for another ten years of rigged maps is the epitome of cowardice, says Hintz.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/veterans-memorial-day-2020-s5.jpgWhile we can never truly thank our veterans enough, we can honor them by continuing to fight for the rights that veterans have risked so much for, say Democrats.

The 2021 Capitol Holiday Tree that will be on display in the Capitol Rotunda is a 32-foot balsam fir donated to the people of Wisconsin from the Menominee Nation.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, in a letter to educators and students, announced “Hometown for the Holidays” as the theme for the 2021 Capitol Holiday Tree that is displayed in the rotunda of the Wisconsin State Capitol and serves as a centerpiece of festivity for those visiting and working at the Capitol building. Each year, the Capitol Holiday Tree is filled with handmade ornaments from kids, students, and families from every corner of the state. This year, students are invited to contribute handmade ornaments showcasing their hometown, neighborhood, or local area, the strength of neighbors and community, or what their hometown or our home state mean to them. 

“The past two years have challenged our state and our country more than we ever could have imagined, but Wisconsinites have displayed incredible resilience and we have worked together to face some of these challenges head-on,” said Gov. Evers. “When we were facing some of our toughest days, one thing remained the same—the grit and tenacity of us as people and the strength we find in community and the place we call home. Home means different things to all of us, and we hope this theme will help us celebrate the strength, diversity, and beauty of communities right here in Wisconsin.” 

The 2021 Capitol Holiday Tree that will be on display in the Capitol Rotunda is a 32-foot balsam fir that was donated to the people of Wisconsin from the Menominee Nation. The tree was harvested from the grounds of the Menomonie Tribal Enterprise Forestry Center in Keshena, Wisconsin. 

“Hometown for the Holidays” theme ornaments should be sent by Fri., Nov. 19, 2021 to: 

Emily Gorman
Wisconsin Department of Administration
Division of Facilities and Transportation Services
17 West Main Street, Suite 119
Madison, WI 53703

The letter sent to Wisconsin educators with additional information and instructions regarding the 2021 State Capitol Holiday Tree can be found here.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/opioid-overdose-s5.jpgBloomberg Philanthropies expands initiative to five new states, commits additional $120 million to reduce overdose deaths in U.S.

The Destination Marketing Organization Grant Program was designed to assist tourism, convention and events organizations that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

RICHLAND CENTER — Gov. Tony Evers awarded $15 million in grants on Wednesday for Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) throughout the state. Today's investment is a part of the governor's more than $140 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund investment in Wisconsin's tourism and entertainment industries.

“Wisconsin's tourism industry was one of the first and hardest hit industries of the COVID-19 pandemic, but our local folks at DMOs statewide have been innovative, dedicated, and resilient, and it's because of them that this industry is bouncing back and better,” said Gov. Evers. “I am glad to be using these funds to support their good work, along with our more than $200 million investment in Wisconsin's tourism industry. From the largest convention and visitor bureaus in Milwaukee and Wisconsin Dells to the smallest chambers of commerce in Pepin and Cassville, the $15 million investment awarded today will help continue to fuel our local recovery efforts and ensure those rebounds are felt statewide.”

The Destination Marketing Organization Grant Program will help 120 local DMO organizations across the state expand on their work to attract regional, national, and international visitors to explore all that Wisconsin has to offer. 

“Together with our local Destination Marketing Organizations, we are at a critical moment in the tourism recovery, and these funds will jumpstart Wisconsin’s tourism recovery that will uplift local economies and hospitality workers,” said Wisconsin Department of Tourism Secretary-designee Anne Sayers. “Wisconsin's $17.3 billion tourism industry is not just big fun, it’s also big business.”

Funded by the ARPA and administered by the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) with guidance from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, the Destination Marketing Organization Grant Program was designed to assist tourism, convention and events organizations that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, 120 organizations received grants ranging from $2,000 to $1 million based on expenses incurred by eligible tourism-promotion and tourism development organizations.

“Destination Marketing Organizations are at the heart of the tourism industry, and by supporting them, we’re able to help local communities bring more visitors to our beautiful state,” said DOA Secretary Joel Brennan.    

Applications for the DMO grant program opened on Aug. 25, 2021, and closed Sept. 29, 2021. Full list of grant awardees is here.

For updates on other recovery-related grant opportunities, sign up for the Badger Bounceback update list.