MADISON - Recently, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), stated that she wants the agency to establish gun violence as an urgent public health crisis. This would be a major step forward for gun safety as the CDC has largely been silent on gun violence research since 1997 due to a lack of Congressional funding.

Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) released the following statement on this new commitment to address gun violence:

“Gun violence is an urgent public health crisis. I am encouraged to see the CDC acknowledging the stark reality of too many lives lost each day. The fact is, no other country on the planet witnesses the number of gun deaths that we do here in the United States, and it’s not even close.

“As Dr. Walensky said, this isn’t about restricting the rights of responsible gun owners. It’s about doing research to understand the full scope of the gun violence crisis in our country and identifying ways to address it.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/afghanistan-refugees2021-s5.pngClean, new clothing and footwear among most needed supplies.

Gableman Has Already Been to MyPillow Guy’s Conspiracy Convention and Arizona’s Cyber Ninja Circus.

MADISON, Wis. -- Wednesday, the Associated Press reported the legislature has set aside $25,000 in taxpayer funds to reimburse special counsel Michael Gableman for “travel” as he conducts an Arizona-style Cyber Ninja circus in Wisconsin.

Gableman has already attended MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell’s QAnon bonanza and jetted off to Arizona to get some inspiration for his own sham election review - where else does he need to go? Or is this money to reimburse Gableman with taxpayer funds for his previous ludicrous trips to meet with conspiracy theorists?

Either way, Gableman has already admitted he believed the 2020 election was rigged at a Trump rally last year, so it’s clear this sham election review has nothing to do with investigating the election and everything to do with abusing taxpayer funds in order to justify radical changes to Wisconsin’s election law.

“It should go without saying, but: Wisconsin taxpayers should not be footing the bill for Michael Gableman to meet with GOP QAnon conspiracy theorists while he runs a partisan-driven, sham election review. In fact, this whole farce should not be happening, and it especially should not be happening at taxpayers’ expense,” said Democratic Party of Wisconsin Rapid Response Director Kayla Anderson. “This entire circus is just another way for Republicans to undermine our democracy and attempt to justify their voter suppression legislation. If this is how you have to win elections, you need to re-evaluate your party’s values and platform. Regardless of whatever happens with the GOP’s sideshow, voters can trust Gov. Tony Evers to continue to fight for solutions to real problems, and to protect our democracy.”

Would shield members of the Sackler family and hundreds of their associates from future opioid lawsuits.

WASHINGTON, DC - A federal judge on Wednesday approved a controversial bankruptcy settlement for OxyContin manufacturer Purdue Pharma that would shield the members of the Sackler family who own the company from future opioid-related claims.

Read the developing report here

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/school-bus-kids-s5.jpgSen. Smith writes about the things we can do to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect our children as they begin their new school year.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/depression-suicidebygun-s5.jpgInvestment continues Administration's efforts to ensure state rebounds and recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/evers-in-gb-2019.3.4-s5.jpgThe $25 million investment made by Gov. Evers will help fill a gap in funding left by the Legislature's Joint Committee on Finance during the state budget process.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/ron-desantis-florida-s5.pngJudge says Florida Governor has no authority to issue such an order and that it was by definition “arbitrary” and “capricious.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/businesses-micro-ethnically-diverse3-s5.jpgMultiple ratings agencies upgrade Wisconsin's bond rating based on state's strong fiscal performance under Evers Administration.

Business investments in Fiscal Year 2021 will help create or save more than 200 jobs in rural Wisconsin.