http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/businesses-micro-ethnically-diverse3-s5.jpgBuild Back Better budget legislation, currently before Congress, would close the Medicaid coverage gap and help many low income workers and small business owners cut their healthcare costs.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/trump-insurgents3-s5.pngWisconsin Republican attempts to spread Trump's Big Lie here undermine fair elections, says Oshkosh lawmaker.

Republican Speaker's attempts to publicly and baselessly disparage and singularly belittle public servants in Thursday press release are unbecoming to his office, says Governor.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers released the following statement Thursday in response to a press release sent by Speaker Robin Vos earlier in the day. 

“Elected officials can—and often do—disagree on plenty. But what is beneath the offices we hold and the responsibility entrusted to us is using our platforms to publicly and baselessly disparage and singularly belittle public servants.

“From our clerks and election administrators to members of the Wisconsin National Guard to Wisconsin Elections Commission staff, hundreds rolled up their sleeves last year, and it is because of them Wisconsin held a free, safe, and fair election last November.

“Speaker Vos’ comments are unbecoming of his office and the people we serve. It’s my expectation—and one Wisconsinites share—that elected officials in this state treat others with civility and respect. The speaker’s behavior today fell woefully short of those expectations.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/solar-energy-systems-s5.jpgGroup calls it the strongest action the United States has ever taken to combat the climate crisis.

North Prairie volunteer firefighter lost his life in the line of duty after contracting COVID-19.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #138 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Sat., Oct. 30, 2021, in honor of volunteer firefighter Gary E. Berg of North Prairie, who lost his life in the line of duty after contracting COVID-19. 

Funeral services for Berg were previously scheduled to be held on Sat., Oct. 23, 2021, but were changed due to unforeseen circumstances. As such, Gov. Evers’ previously issued Executive Order #138 to lower the flags on Sat., Oct. 23, 2021, did not take effect.

“Kathy and I extend our deepest sympathies to Gary’s family and loved ones, the North Prairie Fire Department, and the North Prairie community,” said Gov. Evers. “We are thinking of them during this incredibly difficult time as they mourn this loss and honor Gary’s life and service to our state.”

Berg passed away on Oct. 19, 2021, at 54 years old, after contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. He served the people of the state of Wisconsin and North Prairie for 36 years and will be remembered as a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and community member. The state of Wisconsin is forever grateful for his service, selflessness, and sacrifice.

Services for Berg will be held in Genesee on Sat., Oct. 30, 2021, before he is laid to rest in North Prairie. 

Executive Order #138 will be in effect from sunrise to sunset on Sat., Oct. 30, 2021, and is available here.

Spokesperson appears to have admitted that it physically removed absentee ballot certification envelopes from the custody of the Mount Pleasant clerk.

MADISON, Wis. -- On Thursday, during a publicity stunt of a press conference about yet another “investigation” into 2020 election results, the Racine County Sheriff’s Department admitted to breaking election law when explaining their investigative methods.

During the press conference, Racine County Sgt. Michael Luell said, “At the end of our interviews at Mount Pleasant, they provided me with copies of the applications for absentee ballots, and they provided me with the ballot envelopes.”

Both state and federal law require that elections officials maintain custody over all materials associated with elections. (52 U.S.C. § 20701; Wis. Stat. §§ 7.23, 7.24.)

This includes absentee ballot certificate envelopes, which are required by Wisconsin law to accompany each and every absentee ballot cast—without a proper certification, absentee ballots cannot be counted. (Wis. Stat. §§ 6.86, 6.87.)

Despite this, the Racine County Sheriff’s Department appears to have admitted that it physically removed absentee ballot certification envelopes from the custody of the Mount Pleasant clerk. Removing these materials from the clerk’s custody violates both state and federal law.

In response, Democratic Party of Wisconsin interim Executive Director Devin Remiker issued the following statement:

“Today’s press conference was nothing more than a publicity stunt. The Racine County Sheriff’s Department has been wasting taxpayer money in an attempt to rehash discredited claims about the 2020 election results. There weren’t any charges filed or even any suggested. The press conference didn’t shed light on any election fraud, but did reveal the Racine County Sheriff’s department may have broken the law during their own farce of an investigation.

“Just last week, the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau released its election audit, and as recounts, court cases, and Trump’s own Department of Homeland Security have already proven, the LAB found the 2020 election was ‘safe and secure.’ But none of this matters to Republicans, who will go to any lengths to try to cast doubt on the 2020 election results -- including apparently breaking the law. This is yet another attempt to attack our democracy and cast doubt on a free and fair election, in which Wisconsinites elected Joe Biden.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/hmong-lao-veterans-salute-s5.jpgMoney goes to WUCMAA which serves underserved communities, including Hmong and Southeast Asian Wisconsinites

Names 26-year veteran of Oshkosh Department "First Responder of the Year".

MADISON - Tuesday, Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) welcomed Battalion Chief Mike Rutter of the Oshkosh Fire Department to the State Capitol in Madison. Rutter was selected as the 54th Assembly District's "2021 First Responder of the Year." Rutter was nominated by Rep. Hintz and the City of Oshkosh Fire Department due to his notable career and the contributions he has made to the community. Representative Hintz released the following statement on this honor:

“I am proud to recognize Battalion Chief Mike Rutter as the 54th Assembly District’s 2021 First Responder of the Year, and am honored to have the opportunity to recognize his service to the Oshkosh community before the full Assembly.

“Chief Rutter is a 26-year veteran of the Oshkosh Fire Department, who is wholly committed to bringing out the best in each of his colleagues as he prepares them to protect the public. Chief Rutter has greatly improved the safety of the Oshkosh Fire Department’s firefighters, particularly through the coordination of personal protective equipment programming.

“This honor recognizes the culmination of his dedication to his profession, and contributions to the citizens of Oshkosh. I commend Chief Rutter and all of the First Responder award recipients for their outstanding service to their communities and the state of Wisconsin.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/fishing-fly1-s5-440.jpgThe Congress allows citizens to advise the DNR Board on issues affecting hunting, fishing and conservation practices in Wisconsin.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/michael-gableman-fcj-s5.pngGableman should save Wisconsin further expense and embarrassment and wrap up his futile and distracting investigation of 2020 election, says newspaper.