The broadband expansion grants will encourage the deployment of broadband in unserved and underserved areas of the state.

MADISON​ —​ Gov. Tony Evers announced Wednesday that more than $5 million of funding from the federal CARES Act will be awarded for the expansion of high-speed, broadband internet.  Funding will be awarded by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) to applicants from the 2020 broadband expansion grants that did not receive funding and are able to connect customers by December 30, 2020, and satisfy the requirements of the federal CARES Act.

The PSC houses the state Broadband Office, which administers the state’s Broadband Expansion Grant Program that provides grant funding to organizations, internet service providers, and local governments to expand in areas of the state that are underserved and unserved.

“This pandemic further illustrates the need for additional funding to expand broadband. These dollars, along with our investments from the budget that I signed last year, will ensure that we are maximizing our expansion efforts to get folks connected,” said Gov. Evers.

“I want to thank the governor for this funding and his continued commitment to getting our state connected with broadband internet,” said PSC Chairperson, Rebecca Cameron Valcq. “I commit that we at the PSC will get this funding out quickly so projects can start construction as soon as possible.”

The CARES funding comes as the PSC is also accepting applications for a second round of $24 million in grants that was appropriated in the 2019-2021 state biennial budget. That application period closes December 1, and is expected to be awarded in spring of 2021.

The 2019-2021 biennial budget, which was signed by the Governor Evers last year, provided $48 million over the biennium for broadband expansion grants. For the 2020 round of funding, $24 million was made available. The PSC received 143 applications requesting $50.3 million for large and small projects. In March of this year, the PSC awarded 72 grants to extend high-speed internet access to as many as 3,182 businesses and 46,537 homes, including 39,778 locations that are currently unserved.

The broadband expansion grants aim to encourage the deployment of broadband in unserved and underserved areas of the state. Since 2014, 210 grants have been awarded, and have connected or are in the process of connecting over 7,000 businesses and 117,000 homes to high-speed broadband internet service.

The CARES Act funding is expected to be awarded to projects at an open meeting of the PSC in October. A list of project applicants will be made available on the PSC website in advance of that meeting.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/wisc-dairy-farm-s5.jpgMore than 2,000 dairy farms have closed, and farmers got virtually nothing for what the trade war has cost them. Manufacturers have also felt the burden of Trump’s trade war.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid-19-uw-madison-s5.jpgArrival of fall, opening of schools and campuses, people heading to bars and gatherings spark unprecedented, near-exponential growth of the COVID-19 pandemic. "We need to continue wearing masks and practicing physical distancing," says Governor.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/kenosha-business-damaged-2020-s5.jpgBusinesses may receive up to $50,000 for clean-up, restoration, and repair costs

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/robin-vos-is-safe-to-vote-s5.jpgWe see politicians use a “Do Nothing” strategy to avoid responsibility or point fingers, says Sen. Smith in his weekly column.

MADISON, Wis. – Today, the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin (LWVWI) is joining the country in celebrating National Voter Registration Day in advance of Election Day on November 3, 2020.

“The first step to participating in our democracy is registering to vote, and we want this process to be both exciting and accessible for eligible voters,” said Eileen Newcomer, LWVWI voter education manager. “We are proud to be a part of this celebration of voting and hope to continue this energy through November.”

With a historic presidential election approaching, every eligible Wisconsin voter should be able to exercise their voice at the ballot box, and communities across the country are planning to use National Voter Registration Day to increase voter engagement. Partner organizations will coordinate hundreds of events on and offline nationwide, and leverage #NationalVoterRegistrationDay in all social media platforms to drive attention to voter registration.

The League encourages all voters to ensure they are registered at their current address by checking their registration status at www.myvote.wi.gov. This is especially important for first time voters, voters who have recently moved, voters who have not voted in a while and/or voters who have not voted since their voting rights have been restored after completing a felony sentence.

LWVWI is not letting the pandemic stop us from providing registration assistance this fall. Many Leagues across Wisconsin have socially distant registration drives planned for National Voter Registration Day or are taking part in virtual voter registration events. Find an event near you and learn more about opportunities to join us and volunteer here.

Wisconsin voters can register and vote on Election Day because Wisconsin has Election Day registration; however, the League recommends voters register in advance. Wisconsin residents can register to vote online at myvote.wi.gov, or by mail, until October 14, 2020.

The League invites Wisconsinites to join us in celebrating National Voter Registration Day by checking their registration status, attending a registration event and asking their friends and family if they are registered and ready to vote. We also encourage people to reach out to the League of Women Voters to find out how they can help with voter registration and join the voter service teams in their community.

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The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin is a nonpartisan political organization that advocates for informed and active participation in government. There are 20 local Leagues in Wisconsin. More information at lwvwi.org.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers announced today that he is appointing attorney and former state representative Jon Richards and long-time attorney with the State Public Defender’s Office Reyna Morales to the Milwaukee County Circuit Court. The appointments fill vacancies created by the departures of Judges Jeffrey Conen and David Hansher, respectively.

“It is critical that we have judges who understand the unprecedented challenges facing our state and nation. Both Jon Richards and Reyna Morales have long, distinguished careers addressing systemic problems and fighting for justice,” Gov. Evers said.

Morales has been an attorney with the State Public Defender’s Office since 1997. She has represented thousands of indigent clients on a variety of matters, including felonies, misdemeanors, termination of parental rights, mental health commitments, guardianships, juvenile cases, and civil cases handled by the Public Defender’s Office. In addition to her commitment to her clients she has spent a significant amount of time mentoring, training, and working within the community in a variety of roles.

“I am profoundly grateful to Gov. Evers for the extraordinary opportunity to serve all the people of Milwaukee County as circuit court judge. I pledge to administer justice with integrity, fairness, and impartiality,” Morales said. 

Morales has served as a board member for the Wisconsin Hispanic Lawyers Association, Felmers O. Chaney Advocacy Board, and Marquette University Law School Alumni Association. She also volunteers her time participating in Law Day activities at local schools and as a judge for mock trials.

“It is fitting that during National Hispanic Heritage month Gov. Evers appointed accomplished public defender Reyna Morales, who will bring experience, fairness, and diversity to the bench,” said Justice Rebecca Frank Dallet.

Richards has practiced civil law for more than 25 years, representing working families, non-profit organizations, and small businesses. He is a partner with Ziino, Germanotta, Knoll & Christensen in Milwaukee. From 1999 to 2014, Richards represented Milwaukee in the Wisconsin State Assembly, including serving on the Joint Committee on Finance and chairing the Assembly Health Committee. He was the lead Assembly author of the statewide smoking ban and worked with the families of victims of gun violence to expand background checks for gun purchases. His work has been recognized by the State Bar of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council, Association of State Prosecutors, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Planned Parenthood and Equality Wisconsin.

“Now more than ever, we need to address the racial disparities in our justice system and recognize that there are barriers that stand in the way of justice,” Richards said.  “I am honored to be appointed by Gov. Evers to apply the law both accurately and fairly while ensuring that constitutional rights are protected. I believe everyone who appears in court should be treated with dignity and respect, and I will do so as a judge. We need to make greater use of alternatives to prison, such as drug treatment courts and other diversion courts, and address the root causes of crime and violence. I look forward to bringing to the bench the understanding I have developed through 25 years of private practice, as well my time as a lawmaker, of how economics and power shape the issues and people appearing before the court.”

Richards is highly involved in the community; as a volunteer attorney for tenants through the Eviction Defense Project and for survivors of human trafficking through Lotus Legal Clinic, as the director of the Take Back Meds coalition to prevent drug abuse and the contamination of Lake Michigan, as a “big brother” with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Milwaukee, as a member of the American Constitution Society and through serving on the boards of the Medical Society of Milwaukee County, Woodlands School and the  Brady Street Area Association.

“Jon understands the needs of vulnerable people in Milwaukee County and has been doing important work, both as a lawyer and as a member of the community, to address the challenges so many Milwaukee County residents face,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. “I am confident that Jon will be a judge who takes his responsibility to the community seriously and who will work effectively with others to create the changes in the justice system that Milwaukee County needs.”

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers on Friday ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff in honor of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, pursuant to 4 U.S.C. § 7(m). Gov. Evers today formally issued Executive Order #89 requiring flags to be flown at half-staff at all buildings, grounds, and military installations of the state of Wisconsin equipped with such flags until sunset on the date of interment.

“Justice Ginsburg was a stalwart public servant who spent her life working to hold our country accountable for our promises of equity, equality, truth, and justice. What a devastating loss,” said Gov. Evers.

Executive Order #89 can be found here.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/caleb-frostman-lvp-s5.jpgResignation effective immediately, DOC Deputy Secretary Pechacek to lead transition.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/voting-2020-538-s5.jpgVOTE411 is a “one-stop-shop” for nonpartisan election information, allowing voters to have access to unbiased candidate information.