Needed after system failures by the Wisconsin National Guard in its handling of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and retaliation allegations.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today announced that he has approved a corrective action plan developed by the Wisconsin National Guard to implement top-to-bottom changes in the Wisconsin National Guard in response to a federal review which detailed system failures by the Wisconsin National Guard in its handling of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and retaliation allegations.

On Dec. 9, 2019, Gov. Evers issued Executive Order #62, which required that the Wisconsin National Guard submit a corrective action plan for approval by the governor that details how the Wisconsin National Guard will implement each of the 21 recommendations in the National Guard Bureau’s Office of Complex Investigations’ Report and identify strategies to prevent sexual assault, sexual harassment, and other sexual misconduct, including best practices from other states’ national guards.

The plan, developed in conjunction with the National Guard Bureau, calls for strict compliance with federal regulations and guidance, supplemented by Wisconsin National Guard-developed processes that will ensure proper reporting, investigation, accountability, and support for survivors. Brig. Gen. Laurie Farris of the New Hampshire National Guard has been assigned to oversee the corrective action plan's development and implementation.

“There is still much work to be done to ensure that our service members are safe and supported while carrying out their mission, but we are taking important steps to implement needed reforms,” said Gov. Evers. “The corrective action plan that the Wisconsin National Guard has developed will help us implement the top-to-bottom changes needed to ensure a safe workplace in the Guard, one that is free of sexual assault and harassment and the fear they might face retaliation for reporting sexual assault or harassment when it happens.”

The plan will be implemented in four phases beginning immediately with an initiation phase that runs between now and March 31, followed by a validation phase that concludes May 31, an execution phase that concludes July 30, and a full implementation and reassessment phase that ends with a Wisconsin National Guard and National Guard Bureau validation that all 21 OCI assessment recommendations are satisfied no later than August 31.

The Office of Complex Investigations Assessment Corrective Action Plan is available here.

In January, Gov. Evers announced that Lt. Col. Brian Bischoff would serve as an ombudsman for the Wisconsin National Guard to assist survivors and complainants in the review of allegations of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and retaliation within the organization. Current and former members of the Wisconsin National Guard may directly contact the office of the ombudsman at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by calling (608) 267-7207.

Committee is tasked with educating Wisconsinites on the importance of completing the 2020 census, reaching hard-to-count communities, and identifying and reducing barriers that impede participation.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today announced his appointments to serve on the 2020 Census Complete Count Committee. The committee was created through Executive Order #55 and is tasked with educating Wisconsinites on the importance of completing the 2020 census, developing outreach strategies to reach hard-to-count communities, and identifying and reducing barriers that impede participation in the counting process.

“In 2010, Wisconsin had one of the highest census turnouts in the nation and we need to make sure that we are a leader once again,” said Gov. Evers. “That said, we've got our work cut out for us. It's estimated that Wisconsin's hard-to-count population is over 600,000, so the work of this committee cannot be taken lightly. I look forward to working with these dedicated individuals to ensure Wisconsin has an accurate and complete count in the 2020 Census.”

Members of the 2020 Census Complete Count Committee will include:

• Governor Tony Evers
• Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes
• Department of Public Instruction Designee Scott Jones
• Department of Administration Designee Joanna Beilman-Dulin
• State Senator Scott Fitzgerald
• State Senator Janet Bewley
• State Representative Cody Horlacher
• State Representative David Crowley
• Fabi Maldonado, Voces de la Frontera, Political Director
• Julie Kessler, Clerk-Treasurer, city of Cumberland
• Christina Kintop, Superior Board of Education, Vice President
• Catherine Emmanuelle, Eau Claire City Council, Vice President
• Monique Currie, Wisconsin Technical College System, Policy Advisor
• Rebecca Larson, Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, Senior Vice President for Advocacy
• Stefen Fletcher, University of Wisconsin System, Director of Administrative Polices and Special Projects
• Chai Moua, Freedom, Inc., State Civic Engagement Director
• Debra Reukauf, Chief of Police, city of Lancaster
• Jane Klekamp, Associate County Administrator, La Crosse County
• Denise Sweet, League of Conservation Voters, First Nations Organizer
• Corinda Rainey-Moore, Kids Forward, Community Outreach and Engagement Coordinator
• Brad Paul, Wisconsin Community Action Program Association, Executive Director
• Skye Alloway, Tribal Liaison US Census Bureau, Forest County Potawatomi
• Brenda González, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Director of Community Relations
• Tom Spitz, Settlers Bank, Chief Executive Officer
• Tammy Rivera, Southside Organizing Committee, Executive Director
• Barbara Beckert, Milwaukee and Southeast Wisconsin Disability Rights Wisconsin, Director of External Advocacy
• Plumer Lovelace, Wisconsin Library Association, Executive Director
• Chelsea Fibert, Wisconsin Counties Association, Legislative and Projects Coordinator
• Matt Dannenberg, Wisconsin Voices, Census Director
• Eric Weydt, Diocese of Green Bay, Catholic Social Justice Coordinator
• Sharon Robinson, city of Milwaukee Department of Administration Director and Milwaukee Local Complete Count Committee Chair
• Debra Cronmiller, League of Women Voters, Executive Director
• Rafael Smith, Wisconsin Citizen Action, Climate and Equity Director
• Charlene Mouille, United Way of Wisconsin, Executive Director
• Tony Shields, Wisconsin Philanthropy Network, President and CEO
• Mari Freiberg, Scenic Bluffs Community Health Center, Chief Executive Officer
• Wendy Strout, Human Rights Campaign, Wisconsin State Director
• Laura Rose, Wisconsin Hospital Association, Vice President for Policy Development
• Kit Amidzich, Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce, Membership Director
• Claire Reuning, Catholic Charities, Refugee Integration Specialist

More information and educational resources regarding the 2020 Census can be found at: https://wicount.wi.gov/pages/home.aspx

MADISON - Gov. Tony Evers today ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Sat., Feb. 8, 2020 as a mark of respect for Milwaukee Fire Department firefighter Darrin "Superman" Jones who passed away on February 1.

“Darrin was a dedicated member of the Milwaukee Fire Department, selflessly serving his community for nearly three decades,” said Gov. Evers. “He's remembered by his friends and colleagues for his sense of humor, enthusiasm, and passion for the work and for the people he served. My condolences are with the entire Jones family and his family at the Milwaukee Fire Department.”

The order is effective immediately and ends at sunset on Feb. 8, 2020.

Executive Order #70 can be found here.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/alexander-vindman-testify-s5.jpgWitness who testified in House impeachment inquiry pushed out of job by Trump.

MADISON  Gov. Tony Evers signed two more bills into law on Wednesday, in addition to several bipartisan bills announced earlier. The governor acted on the following bills:

Senate Bill 310, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 101:

• Prohibits the use of fire fighting foam that contains perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) unless the use is part of an emergency fire fighting or fire prevention operation or the use is for testing purposes;
• Requires testing facilities to implement appropriate containment, treatment, disposal and storage measures to prevent discharges of the foam to the environment;
• Directs the Department of Natural Resources to promulgate rules regarding appropriate storage measures for testing facilities;
• Prohibits flushing, draining, or discharging the foam into a storm or sanitary sewer;
• Requires immediate notification to the Department of Natural Resources if a fire fighting foam is used as part of an emergency fire fighting or fire prevention operation; and
• Requires a person in possession of a fire fighting foam, for the purpose of emergency fire fighting or fire prevention operations, to request and retain any safety data sheets relating to the fire fighting foam and make them available to the Department of Natural Resources for examination after use of the foam.

Senate Bill 438, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 102:

• Provides priority status to a mortgage that is executed to an institution chartered by the Farm Credit Administration that is part of the federal Farm Credit System.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/school-kids-s5.jpgInvestment needed in Wisconsin public school classrooms to replace past cuts, and lower property taxes.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/executive-money-s5.jpgLatest Fiscal Bureau Memo shows that by the end of 2020 it will have cost the state over $1.6 billion, and it is ineffective as well.

Hearing relates to PFAS standards and grant programs, providing blood testing for certain individuals, requiring a cancer cluster study, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority.

MADISON - Legislation aimed at protecting Wisconsin residents from toxic PFAS compounds introduced by State Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) and State Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette) will receive a public hearing in the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee this Friday, February 7, 2020 at 10:00 AM in Room 411 South of the State Capitol.

Senate

PUBLIC HEARING

Committee on Natural Resources and Energy

The committee will hold a public hearing on the following items at the time specified below:

Friday, February 7, 2020

10:00 AM

411 South

Senate Bill 772

Relating to: PFAS standards and grant programs, providing blood testing for certain individuals, requiring a cancer cluster study, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority.

By Senator Hansen; cosponsored by Representative Nygren.

Senate Bill 773

Relating to: providing funding related to PFAS programs and positions, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation.

By Senator Hansen; cosponsored by Representative Nygren.

Senate Bill 774

Relating to: PFAS management zones, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority.

By Senators Cowles and Petrowski; cosponsored by Representatives Kitchens, Mursau, Novak and Krug.

Senate Bill 775

Relating to: providing positions and funding related to PFAS management zones, creating a municipal grant program for PFAS testing, and making an appropriation.

By Senators Cowles and Petrowski; cosponsored by Representatives Kitchens, Mursau, Novak and Krug.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed 16 bills into law on Wednesday. The governor acted on the following bills:

Assembly Bill 67, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 85:

• Requires the Department of Public Instruction to include in the annual school report card the percentage of students participating in music, dance, drama, and visual arts for each high school and school district, and the statewide percentage of participation.

Assembly Bill 110, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 86:

• Requires the Department of Public Instruction to establish an advisory committee to develop a guidebook related to dyslexia and related conditions for parents, guardians, teachers, and school administrators.

Assembly Bill 135, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 87:

• Allows private detectives, investigators, or private security personnel licensed to carry firearms by the Department of Safety and Professional Services to carry electric weapons while on duty to provide a nonlethal alternative.

Assembly Bill 192, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 88:

• Ensures reimbursement for clinical consultations with a parent on behalf of a student under the age of 21 in the Medicaid program.

Assembly Bill 197, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 89:

• Prohibits any Department of Transportation requirements for driver school offices located in residences from applying if students and the public have no access to the office.

Assembly Bill 287, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 90:

• Allows a physician and a physician assistant or nurse practitioner to make findings of incapacity for a health care power of  attorney to become effective and for admission to a hospice; and
• Allows a physician assistant or an advanced practice registered nurse to certify that a patient is afflicted with a terminal condition or is in a persistent vegetative state and would allow an attending physician assistant or an attending advanced practice registered nurse to issue do-not-resuscitate orders.

Assembly Bill 445, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 91:

• Permits a church over 100 years old to install a stairway chair lift to assist individuals and improve accessibility for congregational activities.

Assembly Bill 564, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 92:

• Expands the definition of children with special needs who are eligible for adoption assistance to include a child who is seven years or older, if age is the only factor in determining eligibility, or a child who is a member of a sibling group of two or more children that must be placed together; and
• Allows the Department of Children and Families to submit a request to the Joint Committee on Finance to transfer moneys from another appropriation to fund the increased assistance payments.

Senate Bill 125, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 93:

• Requires the Department of Natural Resources to obligate up to $5.2 million in unobligated moneys from the Stewardship 2000 Program to fund high-priority water infrastructure projects in state parks; and
• Increases the amount appropriated to the department for state park operations by $300,000 SEG in fiscal year 2019-20.

Senate Bill 156, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 94:

• Allows retired architects, landscape architects, professional engineers, designers and professional land surveyor credential holders to maintain their title by applying to renew the credential in a retired status classification and paying half of the credential application renewal fee.

Senate Bill 158, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 95:

• Creates a new presumption of paternity through genetic testing and generally requires the court in a paternity action to order genetic testing.

Senate Bill 160, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 96:

• Allows school board members to provide notice of special meetings by e-mail, text message, phone call, in-person, or by mail.

Senate Bill 163, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 97:

• Makes battery to a nurse or health care professional who is working in a hospital a Class H felony.

Senate Bill 231, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 98:

• Allows bows and crossbows to be possessed in or on a stationary vehicle, all-terrain vehicle or utility terrain vehicle.

Senate Bill 335, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 99:

• Creates election and recount procedures for lake protection and rehabilitation district board elections.

Senate Bill 390, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 100:

• Ratifies and enters Wisconsin into the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/ghost-gun-s5.jpg"Ghost Guns" are untraceable firearms legally assembled at home without a serial number that could pose a significant threat to public safety in the wrong hands.