http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid-19-vaccine-drivethru-latimes-s5.jpgFifth DHS community-based vaccination clinic to open in Wisconsin.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid-19-restaurant-owner-s5.jpgEstimated 9,300 small businesses to receive $5,000 grants through ‘We’re All In’ program.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/technology/cellular-5g-s5.jpgSen. Jeff Smith writes about Governor Tony Evers’ efforts to expand broadband access with historic investments and innovative policies in his biennial budget.

Mass vaccination clinic to serve thousands at Alliant Energy Center

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today announced that Madison’s COVID-19 mass vaccination site at the Alliant Energy Center will receive federal support beginning April 7. In coordination with state and local partners, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 5 will provide federal staff and support services to administer vaccinations. Wisconsin has committed to providing up to 7,000 weekly first-dose vaccines from the state’s allocation for the site. This federally-supported mass vaccination clinic will have the capacity to vaccinate 1,400 people per day.

“This is one of the largest vaccination efforts our state has undertaken and it takes teamwork at every level to ensure we are getting vaccine to everyone as quickly, fairly, and safely as possible,” said Gov. Evers. “I am grateful for FEMA’s support to our state and coordinating with our local partners to help our most vulnerable populations get the protection they need so we can all move forward from this pandemic.”

The Alliant Energy Center has been providing weekly vaccinations since December 29, 2020, and will receive 26 additional staff from the federal government. The additional federal support will increase the number of vaccinations per week from 5,600 doses up to 7,700 doses, dependent on vaccine supply.

“We are proud to partner with the State of Wisconsin to open a federally supported vaccine location in Madison,” said Kevin M. Sligh, acting Regional Administrator, FEMA Region 5. “This site will expand access for residents of the state’s capital and second largest city, and for those living in south central Wisconsin.”

“Collaboration has been key in our response to the pandemic, so I’m happy to welcome FEMA to Madison,” said Satya Rhodes-Conway, City of Madison Mayor. “I’m thankful for the partnership between the city, public health, Dane County, the state and the federal government that will speed up the process of getting folks vaccinated here in Madison.”

Public Health Madison and Dane County have worked closely with Dane County Emergency Management to coordinate community testing and vaccination efforts at the Alliant Energy Center.

“Dane County aggressively pursued this partnership with the state and FEMA to help get as many vaccines for this community in the quickest timeframe possible,” said Joe Parisi, County Executive. “The partnership we pulled together at the Alliant Energy Center served as a model for how to effectively test at community scale and now we can pivot that success to mass vaccinations.”

Anyone currently eligible for the vaccine will need to schedule a vaccination appointment in advance by visiting https://vaccinate.wi.gov or calling toll-free at 1-844-684-1064. The Alliant Energy Center is accessible by walk-up, bike-up, drive-thru, B-Cycle, and bus. For more information, including how to schedule a free ride, visit Public Health Madison and Dane County’s website.

The mass vaccination clinic is a joint effort between Public Health Madison and Dane County, Dane County Emergency Management, Dane County, City of Madison, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the State of Wisconsin, and FEMA Region 5.

For up-to-date information about Wisconsin’s COVID-19 response, visit the DHS COVID-19 webpage. We encourage you to follow @DHSWI on Facebook, Twitter, or dhs.wi on Instagram for more information on COVID-19.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/entrepreneurs-s5.jpgVirtual listening session will cover investments in early education and childcare, K-12 schools, and higher education.

There have already been more than 320 wildfires reported in Wisconsin so far this year.

The governor and transportation secretary-designee are joined by Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg, La Crosse County Highway Commissioner Ron Chamberlain, Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers and Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary-designee Craig Thompson highlighted the governor's investments in Wisconsin's roads and infrastructure over the 2019-21 biennium and in the governor's Badger Bounceback agenda in a video message with local leaders. They were joined by Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg, La Crosse County Highway Commissioner Ron Chamberlain, and Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach, all of whom highlighted the impact these critical state funds have had on their local infrastructure and communities. 

The video message is available here. 

“Many of the state’s most important industries—such as agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism—rely on our transportation system to move raw materials, products, and people. And as Wisconsin begins to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, we will depend on our transportation system to boost our economic recovery,” said Gov. Evers in the video message. “[Our 2021-2023 budget proposal] includes increases in local road improvement programs that will help communities across Wisconsin, helps local transit systems buy new vehicles and expand their service areas, and makes it easier for communities to build the bicycle and pedestrian facilities that do so much to improve our quality of life. That’s what we’re really investing in when we invest in transportation—improving the quality of life for all the people of Wisconsin.”

“In the previous budget it included really an historic investment in transportation—revenue that hadn't been increased to that level in over a generation,” said Secretary-designee Thompson. “So, in the budget we're proposing this time around, there isn't the same level of increase in new revenue, but we did want to make sure that we didn't lose ground on all the projects we made in the last budget and that we would still be able to make some strategic investments in this budget.” 

“Any increases that we can get in the general transportation aids really goes a long way toward helping us maintain our current system, making sure that folks can get from point A to point B, and that the economic engine that is Wisconsin can keep moving and flowing,” said Highway Commissioner Chamberlain.

“We certainly have plenty of infrastructure projects in Brown County that would certainly be eligible candidates for those dollars,” said County Executive Streckenbach. “And infrastructure is the number one concern of our residents not only here in Brown County, but statewide.” 

“For so many years local government has heard that we're going to be cutting this, so it really does matter. We're able to plan a little bit better. We're able to get our teams out there fixing things,” said Mayor Rosenberg. “I love that you're talking about multimodal. When I think about transit that's really the important part so we can get people where they need to go, to jobs, to tourism— all of that. It's really important for us.”

The governor's 2021-23 biennial budget proposal includes a 4 percent increase over the biennium in general transportation aids for cities, villages, towns, and counties. This builds on the previous budget's historic investment of 10 percent and brings the amount of dollars allocated to this program to the highest level ever. The Badger Bounceback agenda also invests more than $565 million in the major highway program, provides $15 million to support floodproofing local roads and infrastructure, increases operations funding for local transit systems by 5 percent over the biennium, and supports electric vehicle charging stations, among several other proposals. More on the governor's budget proposal is available here.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid-19-travel-cdc-hill-s5.pngThe agency said fully vaccinated people do not need to get tested before or after domestic travel unless the destination requires it.

“Pardoning an individual is a big step to allowing them to move on in their lives and continue to study, work, and contribute to their communities,” said Gov. Evers.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers announced today that he has granted another 17 pardons. The Governor’s Pardon Advisory Board heard from applicants virtually and applicants whom the Board recommended for pardon were forwarded to Gov. Evers for final consideration. To date, the Governor has granted 174 pardons.

“Pardoning an individual is a big step to allowing them to move on in their lives and continue to study, work, and contribute to their communities,” said Gov. Evers. “With these 17 pardons, I am glad to continue the important process of listening to people's stories, and giving those who have worked hard the ability to have a second chance.”

Gov. Evers granted pardons to the following people:

• Carol Matthews was in her mid-twenties, raising a child alone and working at a cleaning company, when she failed to report her income while receiving government assistance. A longtime caregiver of people with disabilities, she earned her CNA and works independently in Milwaukee.
• Anton House was in his late teens when he was twice found in possession of an illegal substance. He has since earned his Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees and uses his impressive education as a Lecturer at Howard University and to mentor youth in Bowie, Maryland, where he resides.
• Richard Dziondziakowski was in his late teens in the 1960s when he illegally entered two service stations and stole cigarettes. Now retired in Oak Creek from a career in masonry and construction, his pardon will help him on his path to becoming a United States citizen—a lifelong goal.
• Eric Lonsdale was in his mid-twenties when he was caught growing cannabis. He is now an active community member in Fort Atkinson, where he lives with his family.
• Dirmitrius Jackson was in his early twenties when he was caught in possession of illegal substances. He lives in Kenosha with his family and is hopeful his pardon will help advance his career.
• Edward Lantvit was 36 years old when he was caught trying to buy an illegal substance. More than three decades later, he is now a small businessman and real estate appraiser with his son. He lives in Fremont and is a proud grandfather to 14 grandchildren.
• Malcolm Wilson was in his early thirties when he failed to report income while receiving government assistance and FoodShare. He has since earned an associate’s degree and has been a lifelong resident and employee of the city of Milwaukee.
• Sondra Gorham was struggling with a substance use disorder in her mid-twenties when she was caught in possession of illegal substances and driving under the influence. She has achieved her tenth year of sobriety with her family in Neenah and is diligently pursuing higher education.
• Christopher Walters was 27 years old when he was caught in possession of illegal substances. A U.S. Navy veteran, he lives with his family and owns and operates a business in Poncha Springs, Colorado.
• Joede Polezynski was just 19 years old when she was caught in possession of an illegal substance. More than fifteen years later, she hopes a pardon will help her pursue a career in banking. She resides in Milwaukee.
• Sandra Vessel-Swanigan was around twenty years old in the late 1970s when she failed to disclose her employment when applying for government assistance. Over four decades later, she lives and works in Milwaukee.
• Jason Alston was 20 when he was twice found in possession of illegal substances. He has since found his passion in the culinary field and is now the owner and operator of a well-respected restaurant as well as a minister at a church where he resides in Milwaukee.
• Preston Jackson, Jr. was caring for his father when he was caught in possession of an illegal substance. A military veteran, he served in Desert Storm and Desert Shield and now works for the Veterans Affairs in Milwaukee.
• Nikki Thiel was involved in the sale of an illegal substance at age of 20. She hopes a pardon will help her be able to volunteer at her son’s school. She now co-owns a family business in Oregon.
• Shannon Sweeney-Walker was in her early twenties when illegal substances were found in her residence. She has since earned her associate’s degree in accounting and lives in Racine where she is an active member of her community.
• James Harris was 17 years old when he was caught in possession of an illegal substance. Almost two decades later, he is a successful small business owner in Milwaukee, where he resides with his family.
• Tamara Love was only 19 years old when she sold a very small amount of an illegal substance to an undercover officer. Almost thirty years later, she is a licensed practical nurse and runs her own state licensed adult family home in Milwaukee.

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 some of the rights that are 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 result in an expungement.

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 not committed any new crimes. Individuals currently required to register on the sex offender registry are ineligible for a pardon.

The pardon application, instructions, and answers to frequently asked questions regarding the pardon process are located on the Governor’s website: https://evers.wi.gov/Pages/pardon-information.aspx

The Governor’s Pardon Advisory Board will continue to meet virtually monthly and will be reconvening again on April 9, 2021. That hearing will air on WisEye.Org/Live from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/broadband-map-northwoods-s5.jpgNearly 100,000 Wisconsinites contacted via social media and virtual meetings want concentration on Wisconsin families, small businesses, and rural broadband.