http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/coronavirus-small-business1-s5.jpgRepublican legislative inaction in Madison is a "dangerous game" says Green Bay Senator.

Injecting funds into local lodging and tourism partners provides a lifeline and some stabilization to local economies, businesses and jobs.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today announced that COVID-19 Lodging Grants have been awarded to 663 Wisconsin lodging operators. The grants aim to provide stabilization to our state’s lodging industry as it continues to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and related reductions in travel across the nation. Grantees were awarded an average of approximately $350 per eligible room in Wisconsin.

“The folks in our hotel and lodging industry have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic as folks have reduced their travel this year to help stop the spread of the virus,” said Gov. Evers. “The tourism industry will be core to our state's economic bounce back, and these funds will help provide some economic stabilization now so visitors to enjoy their favorite destinations later.”

In 2019, visitors to the state spent $3.7 billion on lodging but recent surveys by the Wisconsin Hotel and Lodging Association indicate that nearly half of Wisconsin hotel and lodging properties will close within six months without loan or grant assistance.

Funded by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds and administered by the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA), the grant program assists hotel, motel, and bed and breakfast operators whose facilities have been negatively affected by COVID-19.

“The economic recovery for many Wisconsin communities depends largely on the tourism and lodging industries,” said DOA Secretary Joel Brennan. “By injecting these funds into local lodging and tourism partners, we hope to provide a lifeline and some stabilization to local economies, businesses and jobs.”

More information regarding the COVID-19 Lodging Grant Program is available here. A full list of grant winners is available here.

These venues serve as community gathering places and vibrant hubs for culture, art and innovation. Grants will hopefully bring a little hope to this industry as they wait to reopen.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today announced that $15 million in COVID-19 Live Music and Entertainment Venue Grants has been awarded to 96 live venues. The grants aim to provide financial stabilization to Wisconsin’s live entertainment and large meeting venues, which were among the first small businesses to feel dramatic negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We know large gatherings of people in small spaces can be a catalyst for spread, which is why our folks in the live music and entertainment industry have been doing their part to help keep their communities and people safe,” said Gov. Evers. “These changes haven't been easy, but these venues have worked to be good partners throughout this process. We hope these funds can provide critical support and stabilization to help them get through until we can all gather safely and enjoy entertainment together again.”

Funded by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and administered through the Department of Administration (DOA), the COVID-19 Live Music and Entertainment Venue Grant Program provides grant funding to live entertainment and large meeting venue operators whose facilities have been negatively affected by COVID-19. Grant awards provided eligible recipients up to $500,000 or 25% of 2019 ticket or event sales, whichever was less. Grants have been pro-rated due to oversubscription.

“These venues serve as community gathering places and vibrant hubs for culture, art and innovation; however, the continued effects of COVID-19 across the state means they may be the last to fully re-open,” said DOA Secretary Joel Brennan. “These grants will hopefully bring a little hope to this industry as we all continue to push for additional action at the federal level to allow them to survive until we can fully embrace live entertainment in a healthy and recovered Wisconsin.”

More information regarding the COVID-19 Live Music and Entertainment Venue Grant Program is available here. A full list of grant winners is available here.

MADISON —​ Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #96 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff in honor of Cpt. Kelly Lynn Raether of the Town of Ixonia Fire & EMS. Raether passed away on Nov. 26, 2020 after contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty as she responded to the emergency medical needs of a COVID-19 patient. 

“Cpt. Raether served her community every day with astounding courage and selflessness, putting her health and safety on the line, even during a global pandemic, to help others,” said Gov. Evers. “This is a devastating loss and we send our deepest condolences to Capt. Raether’s family and the Ixonia community. While our first responders are always prepared to run towards danger, let this be a reminder to all of us how critical our actions are in helping to keep them safe during this pandemic.” 

In addition to serving her community as an emergency medicine technician for 15 years, Raether was a professor of nursing, teaching the next generation of healthcare providers. 

Executive order #96 is effective immediately and ends at sunset on Sat., Dec. 5, 2020, and can be found here.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid-19-restaurant-owner-s5.jpgEligible businesses will receive $20,000 grant by year-end.

Legislation proposed by GOP majority in Madison is an insult to the working people of Wisconsin says labor union.

Statewide addresses will be delivered virtually as COVID-19 continues to surge across Wisconsin.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today announced he will deliver the upcoming State of the State address and biennial budget message virtually as COVID-19 continues to surge across the state. The State of the State address will be delivered at 7:00 p.m. on Tues., January 12, 2021, and pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 16.45, the governor has requested to deliver his budget message at 7:00 p.m. on Tues., February 16, 2021.

“I have spent the better part of the last year encouraging Wisconsinites to stay home as often as possible, practice social distancing, and limit interactions and gatherings with people outside of their immediate households. As you both know, I believe elected leaders must lead by example,” said Gov. Evers in a letter to legislative leaders. “To this end, and consistent with our continued recommendations to Wisconsinites, I will deliver my State of the State address and budget message to Wisconsinites virtually next year.”

The governor also encouraged the Legislature to convene virtually to receive the State of the State address and budget message, consistent with the recommendations from public health officials to practice social distancing.

“As we begin a new legislative session in January, we must continue our work building on the down payment we made during the last legislative session on increasing access to quality, affordable healthcare, fully funding our public schools, and fixing our roads and bridges,” wrote Gov. Evers. “We must also acknowledge and expect, however, that like so many things this past year, this legislative session might look differently than it has before…I look forward to working together and having a productive legislative session in the new year.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid-19-n95-mask-s5.pngIn recent weeks, we’ve heard promising news about a COVID-19 vaccine, but it’s still critical we stay alert to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/barr-thill-12.2020-s5.pngTrump has for weeks made the false claim that the election was stolen from him.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/biden-harris-pusa-2-s5.pngThe counting and recounting are over, and the result remains the same. Joe Biden is the winner in Wisconsin.