The State Senate met to take first steps to upgrade the unemployment system shortcomings after nearly a year of issues.

MADISON - Today, the Wisconsin State Senate met in a special session to take up legislation to address the backlog of claims with the Department of Workforce Development and the unemployment insurance system.

Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) released the following statement following the session:

“Too many people are hurting because they are out of work through no fault of their own due to COVID-19. They’ve been hurting for almost a year. It is disappointing that my Republican colleagues have done almost nothing to fix the issues related to our unemployment insurance technology infrastructure. Instead, they continued their pattern of the last 10 years - using unemployment as a partisan wedge to demonize those who need a helping hand.

“I am glad that today, we are finally voting on bipartisan action to address the fundamental shortcomings of our outdated UI system. These improvements will benefit Wisconsinites across the state who have struggled to get the help they need. The sad fact is, this should have been handled months ago - and Republicans refused to act.

“Every legislator in this building has received contacts regarding the issues with our unemployment system. This should have been a top priority the instant that these issues started to arise. But rather than address it, Republicans chose to ignore their constituents asking for help and blame the governor for something they ignored for nearly a decade. Governor Evers was not the governor when the Republican-controlled legislature passed the one-week waiting period or any bills that further restricted who could and could not access unemployment benefits and helped put us in this situation.

“It’s great that we have finally met to begin to address the issues that were created years ago with bad policy decisions. I hope that we can continue to meet and address the barriers that were unnecessarily created to prohibit our friends and neighbors from accessing the benefits they need to survive during this pandemic. I’m grateful it happened, but disappointed and frustrated it took this long. Wisconsin deserves so much better than this.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/vote-47-mb5-s5.jpgWisconsin Conservation Voters, League of Women Voters, other voter rights groups say plan will make registering to vote easier and more accessible for everyone.

Democrats say Governor's budget is a roadmap, not back to where we were before the pandemic, but to a brighter future for all Wisconsinites.

MADISON - This evening, Gov. Evers introduced his entire biennial budget for 2021-2023. The budget addresses issues including cost of prescription drugs, childcare, mental health services, recreational marijuana, criminal justice reform and more. Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler issued this statement of support:

“More than a year after Covid came to American shores, the pandemic is still raging, and Wisconsin’s hardworking families and small businesses are still fighting every day to adapt and make ends meet. But there’s light at the end of the tunnel, and Governor Evers’ budget lays out a clear plan for our state to bounce back stronger than ever.

The Governor’s budget makes critical investments to get small businesses back on their feet and get Wisconsinites back to work. It also addresses obstacles that have been making it harder for Wisconsin families to get by since well before the current crisis. Governor Evers’ budget would help control skyrocketing healthcare costs, expand access for mental health and substance use treatment, protect our natural resources, and make our criminal justice system both smarter and fairer.

As the Governor said tonight, this budget is a roadmap—not back to where we were before the pandemic, but to a brighter future for all Wisconsinites no matter where they live, how they vote, or the color of their skin. The only question now is whether Republicans in the Legislature are ready to stop playing politics and start working together to solve problems.”

The most important job of public servants is to listen to those you serve, and that is exactly what we are going to see from Governor Evers and his 2021-2023 budget, says Agard.

MADISON- This evening, Governor Tony Evers will deliver his second budget address laying out his priorities for the 2021-2023 biennium. Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) released the following statement ahead of the address:

“When we put people first, we can achieve great things. And when we put people first, we can create opportunity and prosperity for our friends and neighbors. A budget is a reflection of your values. If you show me a budget, I can tell your priorities and your worldview. In Wisconsin, we have a history of putting the needs of our community at the forefront of our public policy. This progressive tradition is needed now more than ever as we face serious challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The most important job of public servants is to listen to those you serve – and that is exactly what we are going to see from Governor Evers and his 2021-2023 budget. I have heard from people in my district asking for what Governor Evers has prioritized in his budget: lower prescription drug costs; expanding access to healthcare; funding public schools; affordable childcare; legalizing recreational and medicinal cannabis; supporting small businesses during the pandemic; fostering economic growth in our communities; supporting our farmers; and so much more. This budget is a culmination of earnestly listening and responding to the everyday needs of ordinary Wisconsinites across our state.

“To my Republican colleagues who have already voiced their opposition to many of these provisions: you cannot govern by ignoring the will of the people. People all over the state have been asking – begging - for these things because they will improve their lives. These are the people we represent. It is time we listen to those who have helped shape this budget by raising their voices. Republicans continuing to defy the will of the people will not move our state forward.

“I applaud Governor Evers for his work to hear the needs of Wisconsinites and address them in his budget. I look forward to working with my colleagues to amplify the voices of my district throughout this budget process. To help our state recover after the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to take bold action to invest in our communities, our businesses, and our families. Let’s get to work!”

MADISON -- Ahead of election day, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler issued this statement to encourage Wisconsin voters to go out and make their voices heard in the Spring primary:

“Today’s Wisconsin spring primary is the first statewide election of the Biden presidency, and it’s fitting that it’s happening on the same day as President Biden’s trip to Wisconsin for his first presidential visit. Democracy doesn’t happen once every four years. As today reminds us, it’s a year-round duty of citizenship.”

“As well as shaping local candidate fields in communities across the state, today’s election will determine the final two candidates running for State Superintendent of the Department of Public Instruction, the job previously held by Governor Evers. Every voter will make a difference. By voting today, we demonstrate our commitment to show up for every election. I encourage everyone to cast their ballots today before 8 pm and to take their friends and family to the polls so they can cast their ballot. Don’t let this election pass you by!”

The State Legislature needs to approve these proposals so that Wisconsinites can begin to heal from this pandemic and move forward, say Democrats.

MADISON - Wednesday morning, Gov. Evers announced that his budget will include more than $150 million in critical mental health services for Wisconsinites as well as expand BadgerCare. Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler issued this statement of support:

“Too many people in Wisconsin struggle to access quality, affordable mental health services. With the pandemic still raging on and Wisconsinites still struggling to deal with this new world that we live in, Governor Evers’ 2021-2023 budget helps Wisconsinites access the care they need. This expansion of health care coverage and investment in our mental and behavioral health workforce is crucial to ensuring people have access to affordable, life-saving services like telepsychiatry.

“This carefully crafted budget includes proposals that Wisconsinites desperately need to ensure the health and safety of themselves and their families. The State Legislature needs to swiftly approve this budget with the proposals of Gov. Evers so that Wisconsinites can begin to heal from this pandemic and move forward.”

MADISON - On day one of an impeachment trial of former President Trump, who is facing a single charge of "incitement of insurrection" for his role in the deadly January 6 assault on the Capitol, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler issued this statement:

“The impeachment trial in the Senate this week is a chance to hold Trump accountable for his reckless actions and give the American public a chance to heal. Over the course of his four years in office but especially during his last few weeks, Trump spread lies and misinformation, and incited a riot in an attempt to overturn the election results. We saw firsthand on January 6th how dangerous our congressional and Senators support of Trump helped incite a violent mob to assault the capitol, leaving five people dead.

“Senator Ron Johnson is among those responsible for what happened just a few weeks ago. Johnson and the entire Senate needs to convict Trump to send a message to all future presidents that his behavior is not acceptable and that the Constitution must be respected.”

New Madison legislator says GOP repeal of the statewide mask order will risk the lives of Wisconsinites and jeopardize our progress against this terrible virus.

MADISON- Yesterday, the Wisconsin State Assembly voted to end the statewide mask mandate, and the statewide public health emergency. Upon this vote, Representative Stubbs (D-Madison) released the following statement:

“COVID-19 has run rampant in Wisconsin, leaving holes in our community that will be felt for generations. Yesterday, my Democratic colleagues and I voted in support of public health, and against partisan obstruction. I am appalled that my Republican colleagues decided to prioritize political attacks above meaningful COVID-19 relief.”

“Repealing the current public health emergency order has needlessly risked millions in Foodshare dollars. Thousands of Wisconsinites will now face worsened food insecurity because of this hasty and ill thought out action. If we want to see an end to the COVID-19 crisis, we need to prioritize funding programs that will help families survive through this difficult time.”

“In addition, the repeal of the statewide mask order will allow COVID-19 to continue to plague our communities, and risk the health of our neighbors. Masks are a proven, scientific, and reasonable way to stop the spread of COVID-19. It is vital that we continue to support the mask mandate, and all measures that prioritize public health.”

“Ultimately, these actions will risk the lives of Wisconsinites and jeopardize our progress against this terrible virus. As your representative, I will continue to fight for meaningful COVID-19 relief, and for the health and wellbeing of our community.”

WEST POINT, WI – Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-West Point) released the following statement after legislative Democrats introduced legislation to reinstate the use of face coverings to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“We have been in this pandemic for eleven months and while the vaccine offers some light at the end of the tunnel, we still need to use every tool we can to curb the spread of COVID. With a more contagious variant of the virus spreading throughout our state, health and science experts are urging citizens to continue safety measures such as using face coverings and social distancing. As elected officials, we took an oath to protect the lives of Wisconsin citizens and Republicans should have no problem supporting this bill.”

Senate GOP in Disarray, go back on their word with the Governor

MADISON - Today, the Wisconsin State Senate will take up another amended version of Assembly Bill 1. The new version before the Senate today came after Assembly Republicans ignored the compromise bill passed by the Senate on January 12th.

Senator Agard (D-Madison) released this statement:

“We are in the middle of a pandemic, but the actions legislative Republicans are taking do not reflect our current reality. They are legislating as though we do not have thousands of active cases of COVID and nearly 6,000 empty seats at dinner tables. Today, Senate Republicans are going to go back on the compromise they made with Governor Evers, choosing instead to play politics with the state’s COVID response.

“The fact is there is so much that we agree on. We want schools to open safely, we want businesses to recover, we want to go to sporting events, we want to gather with friends and family, we want to live our lives.

“We all want these things back - but we need to work together and do the difficult but necessary things to move forward and get to that point. We need to wear masks and practice social distancing. We need to get through these last few challenging months as we work to get vaccines to people across Wisconsin.

“Republicans arguing about the governor issuing the public health emergency are missing the point entirely. Our main goal is not who is solving the problems in front of us, but that we are actually solving the problems in front of us. When the house is on fire, you shouldn’t care who puts it out. What matters is we put out the fire. Our state is still suffering from the effects of this pandemic and our legislature has done very little to provide any support.

“Republican leaders have completely lost sight of our objective. Our objective is to get life back to normal, to restart our economy, and to allow our kids to return to school - not continue these political theatrics that are so trivial compared to the problems our friends and neighbors are facing. Wisconsinites deserve better.”