“Pardoning an individual is a big step to allowing them to move on in their lives and continue to study, work, and contribute to their communities,” said Gov. Evers.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers announced today that he has granted another 17 pardons. The Governor’s Pardon Advisory Board heard from applicants virtually and applicants whom the Board recommended for pardon were forwarded to Gov. Evers for final consideration. To date, the Governor has granted 174 pardons.

“Pardoning an individual is a big step to allowing them to move on in their lives and continue to study, work, and contribute to their communities,” said Gov. Evers. “With these 17 pardons, I am glad to continue the important process of listening to people's stories, and giving those who have worked hard the ability to have a second chance.”

Gov. Evers granted pardons to the following people:

• Carol Matthews was in her mid-twenties, raising a child alone and working at a cleaning company, when she failed to report her income while receiving government assistance. A longtime caregiver of people with disabilities, she earned her CNA and works independently in Milwaukee.
• Anton House was in his late teens when he was twice found in possession of an illegal substance. He has since earned his Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees and uses his impressive education as a Lecturer at Howard University and to mentor youth in Bowie, Maryland, where he resides.
• Richard Dziondziakowski was in his late teens in the 1960s when he illegally entered two service stations and stole cigarettes. Now retired in Oak Creek from a career in masonry and construction, his pardon will help him on his path to becoming a United States citizen—a lifelong goal.
• Eric Lonsdale was in his mid-twenties when he was caught growing cannabis. He is now an active community member in Fort Atkinson, where he lives with his family.
• Dirmitrius Jackson was in his early twenties when he was caught in possession of illegal substances. He lives in Kenosha with his family and is hopeful his pardon will help advance his career.
• Edward Lantvit was 36 years old when he was caught trying to buy an illegal substance. More than three decades later, he is now a small businessman and real estate appraiser with his son. He lives in Fremont and is a proud grandfather to 14 grandchildren.
• Malcolm Wilson was in his early thirties when he failed to report income while receiving government assistance and FoodShare. He has since earned an associate’s degree and has been a lifelong resident and employee of the city of Milwaukee.
• Sondra Gorham was struggling with a substance use disorder in her mid-twenties when she was caught in possession of illegal substances and driving under the influence. She has achieved her tenth year of sobriety with her family in Neenah and is diligently pursuing higher education.
• Christopher Walters was 27 years old when he was caught in possession of illegal substances. A U.S. Navy veteran, he lives with his family and owns and operates a business in Poncha Springs, Colorado.
• Joede Polezynski was just 19 years old when she was caught in possession of an illegal substance. More than fifteen years later, she hopes a pardon will help her pursue a career in banking. She resides in Milwaukee.
• Sandra Vessel-Swanigan was around twenty years old in the late 1970s when she failed to disclose her employment when applying for government assistance. Over four decades later, she lives and works in Milwaukee.
• Jason Alston was 20 when he was twice found in possession of illegal substances. He has since found his passion in the culinary field and is now the owner and operator of a well-respected restaurant as well as a minister at a church where he resides in Milwaukee.
• Preston Jackson, Jr. was caring for his father when he was caught in possession of an illegal substance. A military veteran, he served in Desert Storm and Desert Shield and now works for the Veterans Affairs in Milwaukee.
• Nikki Thiel was involved in the sale of an illegal substance at age of 20. She hopes a pardon will help her be able to volunteer at her son’s school. She now co-owns a family business in Oregon.
• Shannon Sweeney-Walker was in her early twenties when illegal substances were found in her residence. She has since earned her associate’s degree in accounting and lives in Racine where she is an active member of her community.
• James Harris was 17 years old when he was caught in possession of an illegal substance. Almost two decades later, he is a successful small business owner in Milwaukee, where he resides with his family.
• Tamara Love was only 19 years old when she sold a very small amount of an illegal substance to an undercover officer. Almost thirty years later, she is a licensed practical nurse and runs her own state licensed adult family home in Milwaukee.

The Wisconsin Constitution grants the governor the power to pardon individuals convicted of a crime. A pardon is an official act of forgiveness that restores some of the rights that are lost when someone is convicted of a felony, including the right to serve on a jury, hold public office, and hold certain professional licenses. A pardon does not result in an expungement.

Under Executive Order 30, individuals convicted of a Wisconsin felony may apply for a pardon if they completed their sentence at least five years ago and have not committed any new crimes. Individuals currently required to register on the sex offender registry are ineligible for a pardon.

The pardon application, instructions, and answers to frequently asked questions regarding the pardon process are located on the Governor’s website: https://evers.wi.gov/Pages/pardon-information.aspx

The Governor’s Pardon Advisory Board will continue to meet virtually monthly and will be reconvening again on April 9, 2021. That hearing will air on WisEye.Org/Live from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/broadband-map-northwoods-s5.jpgNearly 100,000 Wisconsinites contacted via social media and virtual meetings want concentration on Wisconsin families, small businesses, and rural broadband.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/utility-shut-off-s5.jpgNew Law, signed by Governor Thursday, provides stable funding for Citizens Utility Board

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.