http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/biden-harris-2022-s500.pngBeginning last week, Biden started doing more domestic trips, which offer him more opportunities to fundraise outside of the nation’s capital.

Madison, WI – Today, the Senate Committee on Insurance, Licensing and Forestry will hold a public hearing on Senate Bill 1034 relating to medical marijuana. State Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) will testify against the bill and released the following statement:

“The most dangerous thing about cannabis in Wisconsin is that it is illegal. Senate Bill 1034 falls drastically short of the cannabis reform our state desperately needs and what the majority of Wisconsinites support: full cannabis legalization.

“Cannabis legalization is an issue I have been passionate about and continued working on for over nine years, since my first term in the Wisconsin State Legislature. Over the years, both in the building and across the state of Wisconsin, I have witnessed cannabis legalization become an increasingly popular issue.

“While I am encouraged that Senate Bill 1034 received a public hearing, we as legislators had 15 months of this session in which we could have worked on cannabis legalization in a bipartisan manner. Instead, this bill does not do nearly far enough for cannabis reform or adequately address the harms of cannabis prohibition in Wisconsin.

“Wisconsinites are ready for cannabis reform. As the latest Marquette Law School poll demonstrates, 61% of Wisconsin residents support cannabis legalization—yet Wisconsin is extremely far behind and increasingly becoming an island of prohibition as our neighbors in Michigan and Illinois have fully legalized, and Minnesota has legalized medicinal use.

“We cannot settle for half-baked, insufficient legislation that is nothing more than a political ploy to give folks false hope on the prospects of cannabis legalization here in Wisconsin. We must put our efforts behind full cannabis legalization.”

GREEN BAY - The City of De Pere and City of Green Bay, are jointly offering their residents the opportunity to participate voluntarily in No Mow May 2022.

No Mow May is a conservation initiative that encourages people to stop mowing or mow less often for the month of May to create habitat and provide early season resources for bees and other pollinators.  This is particularly important in urban areas where floral resources are often limited. First popularized by Plantlife, an organization based in the United Kingdom, No Mow May is gaining traction across North America.

“The City of De Pere is continually looking for ways to promote sustainability and environmental responsibility. With this optional No Mow May initiative, we continue this mission and join a growing number of communities who are embracing new ways to support and help our pollinators,” De Pere Mayor James Boyd.

“The City of Green Bay is thrilled to participate in ‘No Mow May’ this year,” said Mayor Eric Genrich. “This initiative is a natural outgrowth of our efforts as a city to support pollinators by reevaluating our lawn care practices and increasing our emphasis on native plantings on city-owned property, and it’s a great way to engage with our citizenry and educate the public about the importance of this work.”

No Mow May is an optional and voluntary program for City residents. Participants are asked to register and display their City-issued "No Mow May" yard sign in their front yard for the duration of the program. Participants should reach out to their respective community for specific details regarding registration, terms of participation, and obtaining yard signs.

City of Green Bay Contact: 
Green Bay Public Works
(920) 448-3535
https://greenbaywi.gov/NoMowMay

City of De Pere Contact:
De Pere Public Works
(920) 339-4060
https://deperewi.gov/NoMowMay

Green Bay No Mow May Information & Registration

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/clean-air-s450.jpgOffice of Sustainability and Clean Energy plan shows ways to lower energy bills for families, reduce reliance on out-of-state energy, invest in job training, and create more than 40,000 jobs by 2030.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid-19-travel-cdc-hill-s5.pngThe CDC had recently extended the order through May 3, amid some discussion of whether to end it anyway.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/vote-47-mb1-s5.jpgCourt does about face, backs Legislature’s maps they had decisively rejected to continue Republican gerrymandering.

Housekeeping activities on Friday. signed 15 bills into law, vetoed 28 others.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today took action on 43 bills. Among the 43 bills upon which the governor took action, Gov. Evers signed 15 bills into law:  

Senate Bill 115, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 253:

• Makes various changes to the definition of program sponsor and the program sponsor requirements relating to chiropractic continuing education.

Senate Bill 392, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 254:

• Establishes a certification program for expanded function dental auxiliaries to be administered by the Dentistry Examining Board; and
• Requires the board to promulgate rules for the certification and practice of expanded function dental auxiliaries.

Senate Bill 508, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 255:

• Expands the colors of lamps that are legally allowed on state, county, and municipal highway department vehicles to include green in addition to red or amber; and
• Expands the number of flashing lamps permissible on such a vehicle from two to four.

Senate Bill 519, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 256:

• Authorizes a judge to issue a permanent restraining order if the judge finds that the respondent was convicted of certain sexual assault offenses and the person seeking the restraining order was the crime victim.

Senate Bill 535, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 257:

• Creates immunity from damages, if certain criteria are met, for charitable organizations who provide previously owned eyeglasses to people.

Senate Bill 566, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 258:

• Adopts, with modifications, the most recent versions of the Uniform Limited Partnership Act and Uniform Limited Liability Company Act; and
• Makes changes to the state’s partnership laws and to laws governing business corporations and non-stock corporations to improve consistency across Wisconsin’s business organization statutes.

Senate Bill 604, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 259:

• Specifies the types of financial information that must be included in the annual exchange of information in an order for family support, child support, or maintenance; and
• Sets an annual deadline of May 1 of each calendar year by which the information must be exchanged, unless there is another date agreed upon in writing.

Senate Bill 644, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 260:

• Replaces the annuity sales suitability standard with a best interest of the consumer standard that must not place the financial interest of the insurance agent or insurer ahead of the consumer when an agent or insurer is recommending an annuity product to a prospective buyer.

Senate Bill 673, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 261:

• Specifies the Department of Military Affairs’ responsibilities relating to the statewide emergency number system; and
• Creates a new grant program through which the department must issue grants to county land information offices for the purpose of preparing geographic information systems data to help enable Next Generation 9-1-1.

Senate Bill 794, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 262:

• Makes changes related to the Department of Revenue’s audits of pass-through entities.

Assembly Bill 251, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 263:

• Expands the crime of falsely assuming to act as a public officer, a public employee, or a utility employee to also include impersonating, or representing to be, an official with intent to mislead others into believing they are an official.

Senate Bill 564, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 264:

• Requires the Department of Corrections to contract with no fewer than three vendors that allow an inmate to purchase department-approved hobby, religious, and other personal items.

Senate Bill 718, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 265:

• Make a series of changes to campaign finance laws as recommended by the Ethics Commission.

Senate Bill 719, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 266:

• Make a series of changes to lobbying laws as recommended by the Ethics Commission.

Senate Bill 720, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 267:

• Make a series of technical changes to the administration of the code of ethics, as recommended by the Ethics Commission, to provide additional clarity.

In addition to signing the above bills, Gov. Evers vetoed 28 bills. The governor’s veto messages are available below.   

Veto Message for Assembly Bill 299

Veto Message for Assembly Bill 316

Veto Message for Assembly Bill 883

Veto Message for Assembly Bill 934

Veto Message for Assembly Bill 935

Veto message for Assembly Bill 936

Veto message for Assembly Bill 937

Veto message for Assembly Bill 938

Veto message for Assembly Bill 939

Veto message for Assembly Bill 963

Veto message for Assembly Bill 966

Veto message for Assembly Bill 970

Veto message for Senate Bill 213

Veto message for Senate Bill 347

Veto message for Senate Bill 365

Veto message for Senate Bill 394

Veto message for Senate Bill 409

Veto message for Senate Bill 494

Veto message for Senate Bill 570

Veto message for Senate Bill 585

Veto message for Senate Bill 608

Veto message for Senate Bill 629

Veto message for Senate Bill 695

Veto message for Senate Bill 703

Veto Message for Senate Bill 707

Veto message for Senate Bill 708

Veto message for Senate Bill 900

Veto message for Senate Bill 936

Bridges to close for annual spring cleaning, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

GREEN BAY, WI - The Green Bay Public Works Department is announcing the temporary closure of the three downtown bridges crossing the Fox River for annual spring-cleaning activities.

Traffic Impacts and Detours

Donald A. Tilleman Memorial Bridge (Mason Street over the Fox River)

Tuesday, April 19. Closed 6:00 a.m. Open 3:00 p.m.
Closed east of the Fox River on East Mason Street at South Monroe Avenue.
Closed west of the Fox River on West Mason Street at South Ashland Avenue.
Detour is South Ashland Avenue, Walnut Street, and South Monroe Avenue.

Bart Starr Memorial Bridge (Walnut Street over the Fox River)

Wednesday, April 20. Closed 6:00 a.m. Open 3:00 p.m.
Closed east of the Fox River on East Walnut Street at Washington Street.
Closed west of the Fox River on West Walnut Street at Broadway.
Detour is North Broadway, Dousman Street, Main Street, and North Monroe Avenue.

Ray Nitschke Memorial Bridge (Dousman Street and Main Street over the Fox River)

Friday, April 22. Closed 3:00 a.m. Open 2:00 p.m.
Closed east of the Fox River on Main Street at North Washington Street.
Closed west of the Fox River on Dousman Street at North Broadway.
Detour is North Broadway, East Walnut Street, and North Monroe Avenue.

Access to residences and businesses will be maintained. All closures, detours, and work operations are weather dependent and subject to change. Motorists should anticipate backups, use caution while driving through the work zone, and are encouraged to find alternate routes.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/counseling-services-child-s440.jpgHelp Nearly Every Wisconsin School District Provide School-Based Mental Health Support for Kids

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers announced Wednesday his appointment of Eric Sparr to serve as Winnebago County District Attorney. The appointment fills the vacancy being created by District Attorney Christian A. Gossett’s resignation, effective May 7, 2022. Sparr will serve for the remainder of the unexpired term that ends January 2025.

“Eric Sparr is a skilled prosecutor with strong ties to the local community,” said Gov. Evers. “In addition to his roots in the Oshkosh area, he has great experience implementing evidence-based practices and working collaboratively with law enforcement and partner organizations. He will make an excellent district attorney for the people of Winnebago County.”

Sparr has worked in the Winnebago County District Attorney’s Office since 2005, first as an assistant district attorney and, since 2020, as the deputy district attorney. He has prosecuted a wide variety of cases, including domestic violence, sexual assault, drug crimes, property crimes, and homicides. Additionally, he has helped develop programming aimed at reducing recidivism and substance use disorders, including securing grant funding to initiate a misdemeanor drug diversion program.

“I would like to thank Governor Evers for appointing Deputy District Attorney Eric Sparr for the position of Winnebago County District Attorney,” said current Winnebago County District Attorney Gossett. “Not only was I pleased to recommend Deputy District Attorney Sparr, I was happy to see the unanimous support within the office and tremendous support within the community and our criminal justice partners for his appointment.”

Sparr grew up in Oshkosh and is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Wisconsin Law School. He is active in a number of professional and community organizations, including serving as a board member for the Rotary Club of Oshkosh and the Day by Day Warming Shelter.

“I am honored to accept the Winnebago County District Attorney appointment and am grateful to Governor Evers and his office for their consideration,” said Sparr. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with our excellent law enforcement agencies. I appreciate the foundation that has been established in the District Attorney’s Office and will keep advancing our collaborations with our numerous community partners. I frequently describe, with emotion and great pride, my feelings about this office, how it functions, and what it means to me. I care tremendously about the office, our legal community, and the community as a whole, and I am eager to put that passion to work in a new role.”