MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Sat., Oct. 3, 2020, in honor of former State Representative Dr. Jacob (Doc) Hines, who passed away on March 3, 2020 at 92 years old. 

Hines represented Wisconsin's 42nd Assembly District for 7 years, serving as the chairman of the Public Health Committee for 6 years. In addition to serving his district in the State Assembly, Hines was an accomplished veterinarian and a World War II veteran. 

“Doc Hines was an pillar of his community, practicing veterinary medicine for 53 years, serving in the State Assembly, and contributing to countless organizations, boards, and his church,” said Gov. Evers. “He was a dedicated public servant, and on behalf of the state of Wisconsin, I offer my condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones.” 

Private memorial services will be held on Sat., Oct. 3, 2020.

Executive Order #93 is available here.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid-19-wi-website-s5.pngGovernor's office worked on creating a website that is helpful, informative, and easy to use for Wisconsinites across the state.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/elderly-crowd-s5.jpgToday, only 40% of people have a 401k, and few are covered by pensions. Companies made it easy for people to borrow out of their 401k. Many come up short when it comes time to retire.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/coronavirus-nurse-tired-s5.jpgDr. Kristin Lyerly says Legislature’s Failure to Act on COVID-19 Puts Us at Risk

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/coronavirus-ventilator-s5.jpgAs "Baby Boomers" age, the need for long-term care is rising. Why should a person or family have to lose everything because a family member is sick?

$2.6 million for the Just Recovery initiative for COVID-19 response, recovery, and building resilience in communities of color.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers with Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), and the Population Health Institute (PHI) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, announced on Wednesday the Just Recovery for Racial Equity initiative.

“COVID-19 has had a devastating and disproportionate impact on communities of color across the state of Wisconsin,” said Gov. Evers. “We must take urgent and meaningful action to change that, and the Just Recovery initiative gives us the opportunity to mobilize community-based organizations to partner in this important work.”

Data show people of color in Wisconsin are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Black, Latinx, and Indigenous populations are significantly over-represented among COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. In comparison to white Wisconsinites, Latinx Wisconsinites have 3.3 times the case rate, and Black Wisconsinites have a death rate 3.5 times higher.

“We have been grappling with significant health and economic inequities in our state for years, and COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on Black, Latinx, and Indigenous communities have only made the situation more dire,” said Lt. Gov. Barnes. "It’s critical that our recovery from this crisis is inclusive and equitable, so we must start by supporting the work that community-based organizations are already doing to address these systemic inequities and connect the dots in their own communities.”

Just Recovery will identify and support strategies for responding to COVID-19, recovery, and building resilience in communities of color by partnering with community-based organizations and local groups, including other government and social service agencies. All media, outreach, and educational materials will be developed in multiple languages and will be distributed simultaneously with English language materials.

$2.6 million will support the Just Recovery initiative. The funding will provide for grants to be awarded to community- based organizations as well as staffing, translation services, and program evaluation administered by PHI.

For up-to-date information about Wisconsin’s COVID-19 response, visit the DHS COVID-19 webpage. We also encourage you to follow @DHSWI on Facebook and Twitter, or dhs.wi on Instagram for more information on COVID-19.

Hansen Urges people to attend and participate to help the commission draw fair maps.

Madison - Former .S. Attorney General Eric Holder will testify at the People’s Maps Commission hearing Thursday.  Holder is the Chairman of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee.

“I am encouraging everyone who supports non-partisan redistricting to consider testifying at the hearing or attending,” said Hansen, a leader in the effort to pass non-partisan redistricting.  “Wisconsin is one of the most gerrymandered states in the nation which has given the Republicans a lock on control of the Legislature since they drew the maps in 2011.  Thursday’s hearing will not only give people the opportunity to learn from leaders like Eric Holder and others on what they can do to help make our elections fair and competitive but also the chance to make their voices heard.”

The hearing which will be held online is scheduled for this Thursday, October 1, 2020 from 5:30 – 8:30p.m.

Those who would like to testify must register before the hearing and can do so by going to HERE.

Those who want to watch the hearing can view the live-stream on the Department of Administration’s YouTube Channel HERE.

“Gerrymandering does irreparable harm to our elections and our democracy.  It leads to corruption in government that ultimately costs taxpayers.  Thursday’s hearing will allow people to participate in one of the first steps toward the creation of fair maps and reclaiming their government.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/farm-family-s5.jpgAlthough National Farm Safety and Health Week has already passed, it’s important that we continue thinking about what we must do to protect farmers.

COVID-19 pandemic is closely linked to your zip code, race, and other socioeconomic factors, and council to help us become an equitable place for all individuals.

MADISON —​ Gov. Tony Evers today announced 33 appointments to the Governor’s Health Equity Council. The purpose of the council is to address the various factors that exacerbate health disparities by creating a comprehensive plan to achieve long-lasting and equitable health outcomes for all Wisconsinites. 

“Ensuring that all Wisconsinites have access to quality healthcare has been and will continue to be one of my administration’s top priorities,” said Gov. Evers. “I have no doubt that the members of this council will be effective in delivering actionable solutions to help Wisconsin become an equitable place to live for all individuals.”

In a 2016 report published by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, the state of Wisconsin was given an overall health disparities grade of “D.”

“We didn’t need the COVID-19 pandemic to tell us that your health is closely linked to your zip code, race, and other socioeconomic factors,” said Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee Andrea Palm. “Through this robust public-private collaboration we can target the social determinants of health that drive these health disparities and make real progress towards ensuring that every Wisconsinite has the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.”

Serving on the Health Equity Council will be:

• Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes
• DHS Secretary-designee Andrea Palm
• Michelle Robinson, Research, Evaluation, & Program Integrity Advisor, Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF)
• Gina Green-Harris, Director of Center for Community Engagement and Health Partnerships, UW School of Medicine and Public Health
• Paula Tran Inzeo, Group Director, UW Population Health Institute, Mobilizing Action Toward Community Health
• Lilliann Paine, Chief of Staff, Milwaukee City Health Department
• Micaela Berry-Smith, Executive Director, Harambee Village
• Tia Murray, Owner, Co-Founder, and President, Harambee Village
• Jasmine Zapata, Assistant Professor, UW School of Medicine and Public Health
• Maria Barker, Director of Latinx Programs and Initiatives, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin
• Janel Hines, Senior Director of Grant Programs and Strategic Initiatives, Greater Milwaukee Foundation
• Lisa Peyton-Caire, Founder and President, The Foundation for Black Women's Wellness
• Andrea Werner, Senior Vice President, Bellin Health Hospital Center
• Ellen Sexton, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Wisconsin
• William Parke-Sutherland, Health Policy Engagement Coordinator, Kids Forward
• Shiva Bidar-Sielaff, Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, UW Health
• Sandra Brekke, Senior Consultant, Office of Population Health, Gundersen Health System
• Tito Izard, President and CEO, Milwaukee Health Services, Inc.
• Jerry Waukau, Tribal Health Director, Menominee Nation
• Guy (Anahkwet) Reiter, Executive Director, Menikanaehkem, Inc.
• Mary Thao, Marshfield Clinic
• Sarah Ferber, Associate Director, Ex-Incarcerated People Organizing
• Amy DeLong, Family Physician and Medical Director, Ho-Chunk Nation
• Wanda Montgomery, Community Partnerships Director, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin
• Stacy Clark, Intersectionality Among Men Program Coordinator, Diverse & Resilient
• Elizabeth Valitchka, Strategic Advisor, DCF
• Joya Headley, Public Health Student, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Cristal Tinajero Rodríguez, Student, Milwaukee Area Technical College
• Gale Johnson, Director of Wisconsin Well Woman Program, DHS
• Isaak Mohamed, Somali Liaison & Community Health Worker, Barron County
• Diane Erickson, Clinic Administrator, Red Cliff Community Health Center
• Patricia Metropulos, President and CEO, Kathy's House
• Julie Mitchell, Commercial Medical Director, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin

The first meeting for the Governor’s Health Equity Council is scheduled for September 30.

Executive Order #17 is available here.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/coronavirus-voting-us-abcnews-s5.jpgPublic Hearing on-line on October 1. Input needed to help get fair maps and elections.