http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/gb-vote1-47-s5.jpgDOA seeks public comment at 2nd Congressional District virtual public hearing to occur on March 11. Hearing is the Commission’s eighth and final congressional district hearing.

Public defenders play a vital role in ensuring we have an efficient and just system that provides zealous representation no matter a person's financial status.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Senate Bill (SB) 62 on Monday, a bipartisan bill that will allow the Wisconsin State Public Defender's Office to utilize savings over the past year due to staff turnover to provide a much overdue pay progression increase to staff to help retain and recruit talented staff, while ensuring competitive salaries compared to their prosecutor counterparts.  According to the State Public Defender, since March 2020, the Wisconsin State Public Defender's Office lost 78 staff members, many who left seeking better pay. 

“Our public defenders play a vital role in ensuring we have an efficient and just system that provides zealous representation no matter a person's financial status,” said Gov. Evers. “But for too long they have been doing more with less and it shows, especially this past year as they have continued to serve the people of our state throughout the pandemic, while struggling to retain talented, experienced staff. We can’t make the robust, critical changes needed to reform our criminal justice system in Wisconsin if our public defenders are overworked, understaffed, and undervalued. That’s why I am glad to be signing this bipartisan bill today.”

The governor’s 2021-23 budget builds on SB 62 by ensuring the pay progression will continue in each year of the biennium.

SB 62, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 7, is available here. A video of the bill signing today is available here.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/unemployment-office-line-s5.pngGovernor prompts action on unemployment modernization after decade of inaction, bill first to be passed by the Legislature under a special session call of Evers.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/door-county-people-s5.jpgAmericans understand the need for action to get us out of the COVID-19 pandemic slump and support the $1.9 trillion dollar relief package, Priorities USA poll shows.

Governor grants pardons to those who have paid their debt and deserve a second chance.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers announced today that he has granted another 13 pardons. The governor’s Pardon Advisory Board heard from applicants virtually on Feb. 12, 2021. Applicants whom the Board recommended for pardon were given to Gov. Evers for final consideration. To date, the governor has granted 157 pardons.

“Through a pardon, an individual is given the opportunity to make amends and give back to their community and our state,” said Gov. Evers. “It continues to be extraordinary listening to the stories of so many who have paid their debt and deserve a second chance. Today, I am glad to be able to grant these 13 pardons.”

Gov. Evers granted pardons to the following people:

• Brenton Bach was in his early twenties when he sold marijuana to a friend working as an undercover informant. Living now in Mount Horeb, he is trained and eager to chart a career path in coding.
• Samuel Cantrall was a teenager when he and a friend committed a series of thefts, burglaries, and damage to property. Now in his 50s, he lives with his family in Bloomer and has maintained employment in construction and manufacturing.
• Keshia Christian was a single mother of five when she turned to selling an illegal substance to help support her family. Now living in West Bend, she is preparing to open her own family business.
• Tamarr Dedrick was 22 when she and a friend purchased food and other goods with fraudulent checks. She now lives in Milwaukee where she hopes to open a home for girls and continue her work as a mentor.
• Steven Lemke sold an ATV that he had stolen when he was 22. Now an over-the-road truck driver, his home is in Fence where he aspires to run for public office.
• Lillion McElwee struggled with a substance use disorder in her early life, culminating in her conviction for selling an illegal substance to an undercover officer. She lives in Milwaukee where she cares for children as a foster parent and hopes to one day open her own daycare.
• Richard Meidl sold an illegal substance in the 1980s to support his own substance use disorder. A U.S. Navy veteran, he lives in Manitowoc and looks forward to being able to hunt with his friends and family.
• Joshueh Schneider was 18 when he and a friend committed theft and burglary from homes and businesses. He now co-owns his family construction business in Whitewater.
• Teresa Scholtz was a teenager when she brought contraband into the jail where she was serving a sentence. She resides with her family in Chippewa Falls and aims to make a career of her passion for working with kids.
• Gordon Schulties grew marijuana for personal pain management 10 years ago. Now retired, he lives in Superior and spends as much time as he can with his grandkids.
• Thomas Simonsen sold marijuana to a friend working as a confidential informant now more than 30 years ago. He has been an installation carpenter for nearly 20 years and lives in Jackson with his family.
• Tyson Willis was 19 when he was caught selling an illegal substance. Twenty-six years later, he has made the dean’s list several times while working toward his business degree. He lives in Racine.
• Anthony Zimdars was 20 when he sold marijuana to a confidential informant and violated the terms of his bail agreement to support his substance use disorder. Approaching his 12th year of sobriety, he lives and works in Oconomowoc.

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: www.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 March 12, 2021. That hearing will air on WisEye.Org/Live from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Bills allow cooperatives to hold meetings and conduct votes remotely and include any other country or nation in the Wisconsin lottery.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today, in addition to signing Special Session Senate Bill 1, took action on two more bills that received bipartisan support in the Legislature. 

The governor signed Senate Bill 25, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 5, which changes current law to allow a cooperative to hold an annual member meeting or special member meeting and conduct votes remotely. Additionally, the bill allows a cooperative's board of directors to adopt by laws that are effective only in an emergency and provides emergency powers to a cooperative in anticipation of or during an emergency. 

Additionally, the governor signed Senate Bill 27, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 6, amending the definition of "multijurisdictional" to include any other country or nation for the purposes of the Wisconsin lottery.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/jfcphoto-s5.jpgAssembly Democratic members of the Joint Committee on Finance to host series of action meetings to engage Wisconsinites in the State Budget process.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/eviction-notice-s5.jpg$322 million in funding made available for folks who face losing the roof over their heads or having their utilities shut off because of the effects of the pandemic.

Major downtown bridge to close March 1-5. Access to residences and businesses will be maintained.

GREEN BAY, WI - The Green Bay Public Works Department is announcing a five-day closure of the Ray Nitschke Memorial Bridge for work on the span lock.

Traffic Impacts:

Monday, March 1, Closed at 7 a.m.

Friday, March 5, Open around 5 p.m.

Dousman Street will be closed west of the Fox River at Broadway.

Main Street will be closed east of the Fox River at Washington Street.

Detour:

Broadway, Walnut Street, and Monroe Avenue.

Access to residences and businesses will be maintained. All street closures, detour, and work operations are weather dependent and subject to change. Motorists should anticipate backups and are encouraged to find alternate routes.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/marijuana-hemp-dairy-farmers-wi-s5.jpgSen. Jeff Smith writes about Governor Evers’ budget proposal to legalize marijuana in Wisconsin, sharing information about the positive impact it could have on the state’s economy and agricultural industry.