Located at the Regency Mall in the former Burlington Coat Factory space, the Racine County clinic will open March 23 and operate Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced today that the community-based vaccination clinic in Racine County will open March 23. The Racine County site will be the third DHS community-based vaccination clinic in Wisconsin.

“As more Wisconsinites become eligible for the vaccine later this month, it’s important that we continue to bring these community-based clinics online to get as many people vaccinated as possible to reach community immunity,” said Gov. Evers. “These vaccination clinics help support local vaccine access and ensure that anyone currently eligible gets their shot.”

Located at the Regency Mall in the former Burlington Coat Factory space, the clinic will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Initially, the clinic plans to administer 200 doses per day and has the ability to administer up to 1,000 doses per day. The number of doses administered will depend on how much vaccine Wisconsin receives from the federal government. The clinic will be prioritizing vaccinations for those who are age 65 and older, educators, and childcare staff on the local health department’s waitlist. After those appointments are scheduled, the clinic will then begin scheduling appointments for anyone currently eligible for the vaccine.

All eligible individuals who are to be vaccinated at the DHS community-based vaccination clinics must pre-register for an appointment through the Wisconsin COVID-19 Vaccine Registry. After registration, eligible individuals will be notified of the opportunity to schedule their appointment. For vaccine-related questions and registration support, individuals can call toll-free at (844) 684-1064. For more information on available COVID-19 vaccination options, visit the Where can I get vaccinated? webpage.

The DHS community-based clinic in Racine County is operated by AMI Expeditionary Healthcare through collaboration with Central Racine County Health Department, City of Racine Public Health Department, Racine County Emergency Operations Center, and other local partners. Locations are selected to address gaps in vaccine access and support vaccination efforts. Various factors including population demographics, local health capacity, operations, and concentration of other vaccine providers are taken into consideration when planning for clinics.

Other DHS community-based vaccination clinics include Rock County that opened on February 16, and La Crosse County that opened on March 9. Since February 16, the Rock County location has administered 3,833 vaccine doses.

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.

Bipartisan bill will help coordinate technology across democratic countries.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/biden-signs-oval-2021-s5.pngNew law includes funding for $1,400 direct payments to most Americans, vaccine distribution efforts, school reopenings, and enhanced unemployment benefits.

Refusing to expand Medicaid is fiscally and morally irresponsible says Agard.

MADISON - A memo released by the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau has confirmed that under the American Rescue Plan Act, Wisconsin could receive an additional $1 billion in federal funding if the BadgerCare program is expanded. This measure is proposed in Governor Tony Evers’ 2021-23 budget.

Senator Agard (D-Madison) released this statement regarding the funding:

“Healthcare is a human right - all Wisconsinites deserve to have access to affordable, quality healthcare. Expanding BadgerCare would provide access to care for 90,000 more people in our state, create over $1 billion in GPR savings, and create good paying jobs for our healthcare heroes. This is a no-brainer - it is irresponsible that Republicans in the legislature are even considering not keeping this provision in the state budget.

“Elected officials take an oath to do what is in the best interest of the state and the people they represent. Republicans who refuse to accept the Medicaid expansion are negatively impacting their constituents and the health of our whole state. The only place this is a partisan issue is in the Capitol. Shutting the door on over a billion dollars for petty, political games and denying health care to tens of thousands of our friends and neighbors across the state is a shocking dereliction of duty.

“The governor’s plan, on the other hand, is people focused and fiscally responsible. I have a proven track record of working for my constituents and will continue to do so as it’s clear that it’s a priority of the people in the 16th District as they have been asking me to advocate for increased access to health care and to act as a good steward of their hard earned tax dollars.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/badgercare-save-caw-s5.pngExpanding BadgerCare is overwhelmingly popular in Wisconsin, and has huge fiscal and health benefits to our state.

DPW Chair Ben Wikler gets national attention with his oped on Gov. Tony Evers' (D-WI) fight against Republicans’ assault on democracy in Wisconsin and, with it, America.

MADISON – Gov. Evers announced Wednesday that he is appointing Paul Czisny to the Fond du Lac County Circuit Court. The appointment fills a vacancy created by Judge Robert Writz’s retirement, effective May 2, 2021.

“Paul Czisny is a seasoned attorney with extensive knowledge of the criminal justice system,” said Gov. Evers. “He will bring compassion, fairness, and a deep knowledge of the law to the bench.”

Czisny is a highly experienced criminal defense attorney. He currently runs his own law firm, where he focuses on criminal defense and representing parents in Children’s Court. Before that, he was a State Public Defender for more than 20 years.

"I am very pleased that the governor has appointed Paul Czisny as my successor,” said Judge Wirtz. “He's eminently qualified and experienced, and I think he'll do a very good job on the bench."

"I am deeply honored that Gov. Evers has placed his confidence in me by appointing me Fond du Lac County Circuit Court Judge. The decisions made by judges have a profound impact upon those who appear in court, and upon their families,” said Czisny. “I am humbled by this responsibility and I will always be mindful that the courtroom where I preside is not my courtroom; rather, it belongs to the people of Fond du Lac County whom I serve. Ensuring that all parties are listened to and that my decisions are fair and just will be my goals as a circuit court judge."

Czisny lives in Fond du Lac. Czisny is highly involved in the community. He currently chairs the Fond du Lac County Board of Ethics and is on the Fond du Lac County Board of Canvass. He previously volunteered with Broken Bread Food Pantry in Fond du Lac and was a Hurricane Katrina volunteer for the American Red Cross. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Madison and the University of Wisconsin Law School.

Strict licensing requirements would be eliminated, since many cosmetology schools do not teach natural braiding styles or techniques.

Madison, WI – On Tuesday, Assembly Bill 121, relating to the deregulation of natural hair braiding, passed through the Assembly Committee on Regulatory and Licensing Reform on a 6-2 vote. This bill specifies that a person does not need to obtain a barbering or cosmetology license in order to perform natural hair braiding. On AB 121’s passage, Representative Stubbs (D-77) issued the following statement:

“African-style hair braiding is a natural and ancient craft that provides many talented practitioners pathways to self-sufficiency and entrepreneurship. This legislation will allow for more individuals, especially female entrepreneurs, to practice braiding.”

“Under this legislation, people will no longer be burdened by strict licensing requirements. They can spend more time honing their craft instead of participating in programs that have little to do with braiding, as more cosmetology schools do not teach natural braiding styles or techniques. This will not only impact the economic lives of people of color, but also stimulate our state’s economy as a whole.”

“Wisconsin is not alone in the elimination of these regulatory requirements. Since 2015, twelve other states have scrapped these rules, and as of 2018, braiders may work without a license in the majority of states, including our neighbors in Minnesota and Iowa. These other states have analyzed natural hair braiding and came to the proper conclusion that cosmetology and barbering licenses are unnecessary. Wisconsin should follow suit, and AB 121 will allow our great state to get on the right track”

“I am proud to have partnered with Representative Sortwell (R- 2) Senator Johnson (D-9), and Senator Felzkowski (R-12) on this bipartisan piece of legislation. I look forward to seeing this bill move onto the Assembly floor, and eventually become law.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/gb-city-hall-s5.jpgThe “report” cited by Senator Roth was based on misinformation, included dangerous and insulting assertions made without evidence, says Rep. Kristina Shelton.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/flood-wi-field-s5.jpgSen. Smith writes about the impact climate change is having on Wisconsin and, more specifically, our rural communities. This is the first in a two-part series about climate change.