http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/mendota-juvenile-ctr-s5.jpgProjects include nearly $66 million approved for Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center expansion.

Union asking that Mayor Barrett and the Common Council acknowledge workers' sacrifices to Milwaukee residents.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/small-business-owners-mf-s5.jpgNew proposal by Erpenbach and Riemer would expand BadgerCare and secure $1.6 Billion for State.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/voter-primaries-s5.jpgReport published Wednesday details needless and discriminatory barriers the Department of Motor Vehicles has created for Wisconsin voters who already struggle to make their voices heard.

Actions of GOP committee members are thinly veiled attempts to restrict abortion access in Wisconsin, says Agard.

MADISON- Tuesday, the Senate Committee on Human Services, Children and Families heard SB 260 and SB 261, two bills aimed at restricting abortion access in Wisconsin. Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) released the following statement regarding the public hearing today:

“These bills we heard today are thinly veiled attempts to restrict abortion access in Wisconsin. Simply put, Republicans are trying to make it harder for people to have access to abortion services, where Wisconsinites can access necessary care. Senate bill 260 not only harms Wisconsinites seeking necessary medical care, it also threatens the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s medical program and their accreditation. Doctors should be able to provide the best possible care to their patients - no matter what.

“Additionally, by requiring providers to report specific demographics after an abortion, as would be mandated in Senate Bill 261, they are shaming not only providers, but also those who seek this care. Decisions about abortion are not made lightly. We must respect every women’s’ ability to make her own life decisions. These bills do nothing to address expanding quality healthcare to Wisconsinites, instead we saw today extremely immoral, and politically driven actions.

“Reproductive healthcare is healthcare. No government should interfere with complex and emotional medical decisions. All Wisconsinites deserve to have access to comprehensive care that is best for them.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/assembly-wi-robin-vos-s5.jpgRepublicans gavel out of special session in seconds, reject plan to expand BadgerCare, invest $1 billion into economic development projects and initiatives in the wake of coronavirus pandemic.

Governor’s special session to expand BadgerCare could net State $1.6 billion for economic recovery.

MADISON, WI – Senate Republicans have rejected the Governor’s special session to expand BadgerCare and the additional $1.6 billion for economic recovery. The special session proposal would have reinvested the $1.6 billion in projects in communities across the state including Stevens Point, Green Bay, Superior, Racine, Manitowoc, Eau Claire, and Reedsburg among others. Despite overwhelming public support for BadgerCare expansion, Republicans have ignored the will of Wisconsin residents and blocked investments in their own communities.

“Republicans are saying ‘no’ to $1.6 billion that could be used to ensure economic recovery for Wisconsin communities, families and small businesses,” said Jon Erpenbach (D-West Point). “They are rejecting money for broadband, veteran housing, rural EMS, and mental health all because they don’t want individuals in every corner of this state to have access to affordable health care coverage. We are at a crossroads right now and the Republican choice to reject BadgerCare expansion and the $1.6 billion is taking us on a path to nowhere. This is an embarrassing decision that will cost our state for decades to come.”

After it was announced that Wisconsin is expected to receive $700 million less under the American Rescue Plan Act than previously projected; Democrats have expressed extreme urgency to expand BadgerCare and access the additional $1.6 billion. A full list of the governor’s projects can be found here.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/andre-jacque-hunched-s5.jpgLegislative Republicans in Madison choose political games over their constituents, refuse to even debate the legislation which would bring Wisconsin an additional $1.6 billion in federal dollars.

Expanding BadgerCare means economic opportunity in Wisconsin, say Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday.

MADISON - On Tuesday, Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) and members of the Assembly Democratic Caucus voiced support for Governor Tony Evers’ special session on expanding BadgerCare. Together, they urged state lawmakers to vote in favor of BadgerCare expansion and bring an additional $1 billion in federal funds to Wisconsin.

“I applaud Gov. Evers for calling a special session to expand BadgerCare in Wisconsin and I urge my legislative colleagues to act now,” said Rep. Hintz. “BadgerCare expansion is widely supported in Wisconsin, and has been adopted in thirty-eight states across the nation, including every single one of our neighboring states here in the Midwest. The people of Wisconsin shouldn’t be punished due to some stubborn and mindless political exercise that has gone on too long and cost taxpayers too much money. Let’s do what is best for our state and get BadgerCare expansion across the finish line in this special session.”

While legislative Republicans have indicated they plan to gavel in and out of special session without voting to expand BadgerCare, Assembly Democrats highlighted the unique one-time opportunity before Wisconsin under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which provides that Wisconsin will receive $1 billion in one-time federal funding if the state expand BadgerCare.

Rep. Daniel Riemer (D-Milwaukee) added, “By expanding BadgerCare, not only will we make more than 90,000 residents eligible for more affordable and accessible health care and save the state millions of dollars, we will bring in an extra $1 billion in federal funds that can be invested into Wisconsin’s economic recovery. The COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges in Wisconsin, which could be addressed with this extra federal funding. Now is the time to take action and invest in our economic recovery.”

Rep. Sara Rodriguez (D-Brookfield) commented, “I am pleased that Gov. Evers has proposed investing this extra $1 billion federal dollars across Wisconsin, including in districts like mine. In my district alone, the Children’s Research Institute will get resources to advance pediatric medical research and Versiti Blood Research Institute will receive funding to expand research activities in the areas of blood cancers and immunology. Gov. Evers’ plan is smart, strategic, and clearly makes sense for my constituents and the people of our great state. But if we don’t expand BadgerCare, they simply won’t happen.”

Concluded Rep. Hintz, “Wisconsin has essentially been handed a $1 billion dollar lottery ticket. The only acceptable answer is to cash it by expanding BadgerCare, and then invest it in our economic recovery.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/unemployment-office-line-s5.pngSen. Smith writes about recent legislative efforts to prematurely end unemployment insurance benefits for unemployed Wisconsinites.