http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/road-potholes-s5.jpgGov. Evers, DOT Secretary-designee Thompson to make three stops across the state to discuss governor's biennial budget proposal.

Biden Administration opening pilot clinics across the country.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 5 announces that the Biden Administration has chosen the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee to serve as a federal pilot community vaccination clinic. The site will receive resources and staffing to be able to do 3,000 vaccinations per day, with all of the vaccine supply coming directly from the federal government instead of the state allocation.

“I thank the Biden Administration for recognizing the need to maximize vaccine administration in this part of our state to reach an underserved and vulnerable population,” said Gov. Evers. “This additional federal support continues the great work our FEMA partners have already started here and will allow Wisconsin to free up state resources to focus on getting vaccine to other vulnerable populations in the state.”

The Wisconsin Center is currently federally supported by FEMA and will transition to a type 2 federal pilot community vaccination clinic operating seven days a week for eight weeks starting on April 6. In addition to receiving more direct vaccine from the federal government, more federal staff will support the site.

“Transitioning the Wisconsin Center to a federal pilot site means increased access to the COVID-19 vaccine in the Milwaukee area,” said Kevin M. Sligh, acting regional administrator, FEMA Region 5. “We’re proud to work with our federal, state and local partners to further expand vaccination opportunities to individuals in Wisconsin who have been hardest hit in underserved and marginalized communities.  This vaccine is our best defense against COVID-19, and an important step in putting this pandemic behind us.”

Vaccinations will be by appointment only and will use the same registration process that has been in place until it transitions over to the Wisconsin COVID-19 Vaccine Registry. Currently, individuals eligible for the vaccine can register for a vaccination appointment by visiting www.covidmke.com or calling (414) 286-6800.

“I am proud of the vaccine distribution plan Milwaukee Health Department has put together, particularly our mobile sites with our community partners and our enduring sites at North and South Division High School,” said Kirsten Johnson, City of Milwaukee Health Commissioner. “This opportunity will afford us more capacity to meet people where they are in the community and provide more vaccine at our central site here in the Wisconsin Center.”

As a federal pilot community vaccination clinic, the Wisconsin Center will be managed by FEMA with support from the Department of Defense, State of Wisconsin, Milwaukee County, and the City of Milwaukee.

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/evers-signs-tax-bill-s5.pngWe need to get folks vaccinated, but a mask still saves lives, and we still need Wisconsinites to mask up so we can beat this virus and bounce back from this pandemic.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid-19-vaccination-16b-s5.jpgWisconsin leads the nation in getting available shots in arms.

Carpenter, McGuire introduce proposal that would exempt the first $10,200 in benefits from taxation.

MADISON – State Senator Tim Carpenter and State Representative Tip McGuire today introduced legislation to exempt the first $10,200 of unemployment benefits (“UI”) received in 2020 and 2021 from state taxation. Federal law already provides the same for 2020.

“We know that folks have been hit hard by the pandemic, not only with their physical health, but also their financial well-being due to businesses closing or reopening at less than previous capacity,” said Carpenter. “This is a small step we can take to hopefully help out some people.”

“As our state recovers from the pandemic, it is critical that we provide assistance to the working families who were hit the hardest by the economic effects of COVID-19,” said Rep. Tip McGuire, “This bill puts money in the pockets of the Wisconsinites who need it most right now.”

“We have all heard from constituents this past year or more about the difficulties they have faced, from being unemployed for the first time, to the troubles they have had in getting their unemployment benefits, and then the idea of taxing those benefits, that’s not fair,” said Carpenter. “We owe it to people who have been hit hard during this time to not add an additional burden in the form of taxation on their UI benefits.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/healthcare-family-dr-s5.jpgSen. Smith writes about Gov. Evers’ budget proposal to expand BadgerCare in our state. BadgerCare expansion ensures we’re being smart by covering more people while returning our tax dollars back to Wisconsin.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid-19-vaccination2-s5.jpgStrong indicator that our vaccine program is working, says DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/high-voltage-lines-farms-s5.jpgGovernor's plan invests in restoring economic well-being, expanding broadband and building infrastructure, and continuing statewide pandemic response.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/marijuana-farmer-jobs-s5.jpgPetition from over 2,500 Wisconsinites saying they support legal recreational and medicinal cannabis and taxing it like alcohol presented to Joint Finance Committee.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/road-repair-wi-3-s5.jpgVirtual listening session will cover topics including fixing roads and bridges, investing in transit and transportation alternatives, and expanding access to broadband.