http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid-19-vaccination-65-s5.jpgLa Crosse, Racine, Marathon, and Douglas-Barron county clinics will open within the next two months to address gaps in vaccine access.

MADISON —​ Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #109 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff in honor of the more than 500,000 Americans, including more than 6,300 Wisconsinites, lost to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“As we continue to endure the hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic, I ask the people of Wisconsin to join me in honoring and remembering the many spouses, parents and grandparents, kids and grandkids, best friends, and neighbors who were taken by this virus too soon and are loved, cherished, and missed by many,” said Gov. Evers. “With heavy hearts, we join our fellow Wisconsinites and Americans who are mourning the loss of someone they love and who, amid unimaginable challenges, have had to endure unfathomable grief this past year. We must reaffirm our resolve to prevent further spread of COVID-19, save lives, and to defeat this pandemic together.”

In conjunction with an order from President Joe Biden lowering the flag of the United States nationwide, Executive Order #109 is effective immediately and will end at sunset on Fri., Feb. 26, 2021.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/wi-fair-maps-s5.jpgHearing Feb. 25 Features 6th Congressional District. Commissioners to hear testimony on the impacts of redistricting on local communities.

State Senator Andre Jacque and representative Shae Sortwell are circulating a resolution to honor the life of the late Rush Limbaugh ahead of Tuesday's special session.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/uwec-campus-s5.jpgUW-System, correctional and health services facilities, state parks and forests, veterans homes and cemeteries, and upgrading state properties in Madison head list.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid-19-vaccination2-s5.jpgPharmacy technicians, students allowed to administer vaccines under certain conditions.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/evers-signs-tax-bill-s5.pngPast year challenging, but Evers committed to providing economic relief to the folks who've been affected by the pandemic.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/unemployment-office-line-s5.pngAfter governor's special session call, Senate finally takes up special session legislation on unemployment modernization after years of inaction.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid-19-restaurant-empty-s5.jpgIn budget, Gov. Evers doubled down on his commitment to Wisconsin families, small businesses, farmers and our workforce, providing $200 million to small businesses recovering from COVID-19, and $100 million to jumpstart innovation.

Proposed budget includes a wide variety of initiatives to address some of our most pressing statewide environmental, health, and democracy issues says Conservation voters group.

MADISON – In his Tuesday night budget address, Gov. Evers outlined a bold budget that includes Wisconsin Conservation Voters’ priority issues: clean water, clean energy, and a healthy, equitable democracy that works for all of us.

Executive Director Kerry Schumann said this about the address and the biennial budget:

“The proposed budget includes a wide variety of initiatives and items that directly address some of our most pressing statewide environmental, health, and democracy issues. Clean water, clean energy, and a healthy democracy are the keys to a brighter, more equitable, and more successful future here in Wisconsin. This budget continues and builds Gov. Evers’ record of delivering on his promises for Wisconsin’s natural resources. These budget proposals complement the excellent work of the governor’s Climate Change Task Force and build on the administration’s commitment to honoring the values and goals of conservation voters across the state. It’s very simple: we deserve clean water, clean energy, and a healthy democracy for every person living in Wisconsin. That is what Wisconsin Conservation Voters and its 60,000 plus members and supporters are working for each day. This budget proposal aligns with those values and those goals.”

Specific budget highlights include:

Clean water

• Expediting efforts to set PFAS standards for drinking water and surface waters, similar to the Clear Act;
• Providing $20 million to local governments to begin testing and remediating for PFAS;
• Adding eleven additional fulltime staff dedicated to understanding the threats from emerging contaminants like PFAS;
• Making it easier for more households to replace their contaminated wells by increasing the amount of annual family income that qualifies under the state’s well compensation grant program; and
• Authorizing $40 million in bonding for the replacement of up to 50 percent of the cost to replace lead services lines through the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program.

Clean energy and climate change

• Establishing an Office of Environmental Justice, including a Chief Resiliency Office and additional staff;
• Supporting local governments who are leading the charge in moving Wisconsin towards 100 percent clean energy; and
• Increasing to the Focus on Energy program from 1.2 to 2.4 percent of operating revenues.

Public lands

• Reauthorizing the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program for ten years at $70 million in bonding levels, a move that will help achieve worldwide goals to protect 30% of lands and oceans by 2030.

Healthy democracy

• Automatic voter registration