http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/healthcare2-s5.jpgMedicaid expansion would cover an additional 2,010 people in Winnebago County, provide resources to help retain physicians, address the personal care worker shortage, and increase dental access, says Hintz.

New office Director, Deputy, and Constituent Services Manager hope to rebuild relationship between Milwaukee and state.

MILWAUKEE — Gov. Tony Evers announced staff appointments for the governor's office in Milwaukee on Wednesday.

Dr. Shandowlyon Hendricks-Williams will serve as the Milwaukee Director, Edwin Huertas will serve as the Milwaukee Deputy Director, and Revelle Williams will serve as the Milwaukee Constituent Services Manager.

“These folks are really talented, and I am excited to announce they’ll be leading our team in Milwaukee,” said Gov. Evers. “Our state’s success is tied to Milwaukee’s success, so it’s critically important that we work to rebuild the relationship between Milwaukee and our state, and that starts with these exceptional folks we’re announcing today.”

The Milwaukee Office staff will be attending community meetings, building new relationships, advising on policy as it relates to Milwaukee, and assisting constituents with a variety of issues.

Dr. Shandowlyon Hendricks-Williams, Milwaukee Office Director

A resident of the Thurston Woods neighborhood in Milwaukee, Dr. Hendricks-Williams is a graduate of Custer High School, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Springfield College, Cardinal Stritch University and earned her doctorate degree from National Louis University. Most recently she served as the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Director of Wisconsin Education Opportunity Programs and she brings 25 years of experience in public, private, charter, and higher education. Dr. Hendricks-Williams is also involved with the Rotary Club of Milwaukee, Project Hope Inc., and is the mother of two.

Edwin Huertas, Milwaukee Office Deputy Director

Native Milwaukeean and MPS alum, Edwin has worked on connecting underrepresented populations to private and government sectors to find common ground and solutions to social issues. Edwin graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a degree in Community-Based Organizations Policy & Leadership and later worked as an AmeriCorps Public Ally. Most recently, Edwin has assisted with constituent and neighborhood relations and policy research for Milwaukee Alderman Michael Murphy and is currently completing his MBA from Marquette University as part of the Trinity Fellowship program, with an emphasis on social and economic justice.

Revelle Williams, Milwaukee Office Constituent Services Manager

Native Milwaukeean, Revelle has worked for the past 10 years as a Legislative Assistant and Constituent Relations Director for State Senator Lena Taylor. A former educator, Revelle has a background in youth and community programming and has worked to assist constituents with issues such as corrections, child welfare, and healthcare. Revelle is known for her personalized level of service and has been recognized in the past for her dedication to the community. In her free time, she is pursuing a degree in social work and loves to spend time with her beautiful family.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/depression-suicidebygun-s5.jpgSen. Smith highlights the challenges Wisconsin faces in addressing the mental health needs of communities.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/door-county-people-s5.jpgPressure grows Statewide for referendums, as 72 percent of Wisconsinites want to ban gerrymandering, including 63 percent of Republicans and 76 percent of Independents.

International Workers’ Memorial Day is Friday, April 26.

LA CROSSE, WI – International Workers’ Memorial Day is held annually on April 28th in remembrance of workers killed, disabled or injured in the workplace. As part of the La Crosse area observance of International Workers’ Memorial Day, Senator Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) released the following statement:

“International Workers’ Memorial Day is a solemn reminder that we must fight for workplace safety each and every day. In big cities and small towns across our region, many workers continue to face dangers and challenges in the workplace. Whether it is handling volatile chemicals, operating dangerous machinery or suffering exposure to workplace violence, new threats to workplace safety continue to be a significant issue.

“Everyone in our state should feel confident that they’re entering a safe work environment each day and I remain committed to strengthening workplace safety and defending the rights of workers who suffer injuries on the job.

“Nearly four million Americans suffer a workplace injury every year. While safety initiatives have helped to significantly reduce workplace fatalities, many workers continue to face exposure to job hazards. In Wisconsin, Democrats have prioritized legislation to improve working conditions for some of the most dangerous occupations including correctional officers, construction workers and community law enforcement.

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**Media note: The La Crosse Workers’ Memorial service will be held on at 1:00 PM on Sunday, April 28th at Green Island Park.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/construction-traffic-i35-s5.jpgState’s share of the recent $768.4 million lottery win presents “once in a lifetime opportunity,” says Sen. Carpenter.

WHEDA provides low-cost financing for housing and small business development in Wisconsin.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today has reappointed Ivan Gamboa as Chairman of the Board for the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA). Gamboa currently serves as Senior Vice President at Tri City National Bank in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.

“I am honored to continue to play a role in this outstanding organization,” said Gamboa. “As Board Chairman, I welcome another opportunity to utilize my banking and economic development experience to help WHEDA fulfill its mission of improving the quality of life for residents all across our great state.”

Gamboa also serves as Board President of the Harbor District, Inc. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and previously served as a Board Member on the City of Milwaukee Plan Commission.

Gamboa’s term as WHEDA Board Chairman will run through March 2020. He was initially appointed to the position by former Gov. Scott Walker in July 2016.

For over 45 years, WHEDA, as an independent state authority, has provided low-cost financing for housing and small business development in Wisconsin. Since 1972, WHEDA has financed more than 73,000 affordable rental units, helped more than 129,600 families purchase a home and made more than 29,000 small business and agricultural loan guarantees. For more information on WHEDA programs, visit wheda.com or call 800-334-6873.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/medical-marijuana-s5.jpgStudy shows Wisconsin could see a $1.1 billion benefit over a five year period from the legalization of medicinal marijuana says Legislator.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/clean-air-s5.jpgWe honor our conservation past while planning for the future

Town Hall Attendees Thursday say they can’t afford to wait any longer.

MADISON – On Thursday April 18th, Representative Jodi Emerson (D-Eau Claire), and Representative Dianne Hesselbein (D- Middleton) hosted a town hall on Medicaid expansion in Chippewa Falls. Attendees heard about the host of benefits associated with accepting these federal funds and were able to provide comments and ask questions. This town hall was one in a series on Medicaid expansion across the state.

“The overwhelming support we heard in Chippewa Falls and in other town halls held across the state shows that the people of Wisconsin are eager for us to follow through and expand the Medicaid program,” said Rep. Emerson.

If Wisconsin were to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, we could:

·         Provide more affordable, quality healthcare coverage to 82,000 people in Wisconsin

·         Save taxpayers $324 million over the biennium

·         Leverage $1.6 billion of our federal tax dollars to make investments in our health care system

“Here’s the bottom line: we can’t afford to wait any longer to expand Medicaid in Wisconsin. Too many of our neighbors still lack quality, affordable health care. For years, legislative Republicans have chosen to stand in the way of their own constituents’ health care coverage. I urge them to finally put people over politics and stop this senseless obstruction,” said Rep. Emerson