Agard hopes to encourage more safe, accessible, and affordable housing for individuals struggling with addiction.

Madison, WI - Wednesday, Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) introduced legislation to encourage and support sober housing, or recovery residences, in Wisconsin. These residences are a home-like residential environment that promotes healthy and safe recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.

“Addiction is an incredibly difficult disease. As someone who has lost a loved one to addiction, I know just how painful it can be for that individual and the ones who care about them.

“Substance abuse disorders and addiction continue to be highly stigmatized. As lawmakers, it is crucial that we approach addiction as the urgent health crisis that it is. Addiction is not uncommon in Wisconsin, and we need practical policy that will aid people who are struggling with this disease.

“We know that housing instability can be a significant barrier to those working to recover and sustain sobriety. This legislation helps to encourage more safe, accessible, and affordable housing so that individuals struggling with addiction may have an opportunity for a healthy recovery. I look forward to this low-cost, common sense legislation receiving bipartisan support as a way to address addiction in Wisconsin.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/beloit-downtown-s450.jpgBeloit College, affordable housing, revitalizing streets, bolstering economic opportunities in community targeted.

Wisconsin State of the Tribes Address at the State Capitol Tuesday.

Madison, WI – Tuesday, President Shannon Holsey of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of the Mohican Nation delivered the annual Wisconsin State of the Tribes Address at the State Capitol. Holsey’s speech highlighted issues pertaining to Wisconsin’s education, environment, and healthcare access.

Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) expressed her sincere gratitude for the tribal nations that came to Madison for this important event.

“Today I was honored to join my legislative colleagues for the 2022 State of the Tribes Address here in the State Capitol. As we come together to recognize Wisconsin’s sovereign tribes as intergovernmental partners, it is crucial that we first take a moment to acknowledge that we are gathered on occupied Ho-Chunk land here in the State Capitol.

“Our state government must be an active partner in honoring our relationship with Wisconsin’s eleven federally recognized sovereign tribal nations. Indigenous tribes were the first residents of our state and nation, and we continue to occupy their land. Their contributions are deeply intertwined with Wisconsin’s culture and history.

“I want to thank President Shannon Holsey of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of the Mohican Nation for taking the time to join us to share a joint vision for Wisconsin. We share the same goals: providing hope for future generations of Wisconsin through investing in public education, preserving our environment and natural resources, addressing racial disparities, and expanding healthcare access for all people in our state.

“Every year, our state government has opportunity to join Wisconsin’s tribal nations to renew our shared commitment to all the people of this state. As lawmakers, we need to come together to learn from our state’s history—a history rooted in colonization and violence—to move forward with compassion and respect for our Indigenous communities. I look forward to continuing to work with Wisconsin’s tribal leaders on how we can invest in and support our tribal nations.”

Conservation group says standard proposed at NRB hearing Wednesday are some of the best chances we have to protect Wisconsinites from these dangerous forever chemicals.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/vets-coming-home-s5.jpgExecutive Order intended to reduce barriers to higher education, employment, job training, and streamline the licensure for veterans who want to join our workforce.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/depression-suicidebygun-s5.jpgBill introduced Monday would allow individuals to voluntarily “self-exclude” themselves from owning a firearm.

Potawatomi casinos and affiliates in Wisconsin join Oneida Nation in offering sports and event wagering.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers and Chairman Ned Daniels Jr. of the Forest County Potawatomi signed a historic compact amendment allowing casinos and affiliate locations in Wisconsin operated by the Forest County Potawatomi to offer event wagering on sports and non-sports events. The signed amendment was sent to the U.S. Department of Interior where it will undergo a 45-day review. 

“I am glad for the good work of Chairman Daniels, the Forest County Potawatomi, and the folks at the Department of Administration to get this done so folks can enjoy sports and other event wagering in our state while benefitting the Tribe’s economic growth,” said Gov. Evers. “I look forward to continuing our partnership together to find new opportunities that support and bolster the Tribe’s success and our state’s success for years to come.”

“We appreciate Governor Evers and his Administration working with us in a government-to-government manner to provide our Tribe the tools needed to compete in the marketplace and giving us the business certainty to continue our investments in Milwaukee and throughout the state,” said Chairman Daniels. 

This compact amendment comes shortly after Gov. Evers signed similar compacts with the Oneida Nation and the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin and will open the door for the Forest County Potawatomi to begin offering sports and event wagering at its two casinos and adjacent lands in the Menominee Valley and Forest County. The Forest County Potawatomi plans to open a sports book venue at the Potawatomi Hotel and Casino in Milwaukee by the end of 2022. In addition, the amendment extends the term of the current compact to 2061. 

“The compact amendment is the result of extensive and productive negotiations with the Forest County Potawatomi Community,” said Department of Administration Secretary-designee Kathy Blumenfeld. “We are grateful for our continued partnership, and this successful negotiation will be a win-win for the state and the Tribe.”

The DOA’s Office of Indian Gaming and Regulatory Compliance (OIGRC) currently conducts on-site audits of casino operations, and under the amended compact will have oversight to ensure regulatory compliance and the integrity of event wagering. OIGRC is the entity authorized under the state of Wisconsin/Tribal Compacts to ensure effective concurrent regulation by both the state and the Tribes of the Class III casino gaming operated by the 11 federally recognized Tribes in Wisconsin. This includes on-site audits of casino operations for compliance with internal control standards, audits of gaming financial data, and investigation of vendors conducting gaming-related business with Wisconsin Tribal gaming operations.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/kim-potter-sentenced-2022-s450.pngProsecutors had asked the judge to give Potter 86 months, a little more than seven years.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/green_bay_citydeck_fox_river-s5.jpg$1 Billion Federal Investment includes environmental cleanup projects across the Badger State.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/healthcare-family-dr-s440.jpgBills Thursday will dramatically increase the administrative burden on both the State and hard pressed BadgerCare enrollees, force people off their health coverage, and punish people who perform important, low-wage jobs.