State Unemployment Woes Were Created by Republicans Long Before the Pandemic.

MADISON – As friends and neighbors continue to grapple with the economic fallout of COVID-19 trauma, Republicans continue to hold themselves unaccountable. The lack of urgency from Republicans to act this spring cost the state $25 million in federal funds for unemployment benefits. When Senate Republicans finally held a public hearing, they offered no solutions and tried to hide the fact that for years they enacted policies to limit and restrict access to unemployment.

“Wisconsin residents shouldn’t be fooled by Republicans hypocritical outrage,” said Senate Democratic Leader Janet Bewley (D-Mason). “This pandemic is revealing how challenges within the Wisconsin unemployment system were caused by Republican policies and further exasperated by their inaction. No matter how hard they try to rewrite their own history, the fact remains that Republicans have spent years tightening and restricting access to unemployment benefits.”

A memo from the nonpartisan Legislative Council highlights the various bills Republicans enacted over the last eight years to limit and restrict access to unemployment, including instituting a one-week waiting period before claimants can receive payment. As part of the lame-duck session, Republicans also restricted the Governor’s discretion to ease access to unemployment insurance.

“Wisconsin residents deserve better than the disingenuous and misleading accusations from Republicans,” added Bewley. “Whether in Madison or Milwaukee, or closer to home in Ashland or Rice Lake, people are feeling the brunt of Republican politicians that prioritize political power over the well-being of Wisconsin residents. It’s time Republicans acknowledge the fault in their policies and take meaningful corrective action to help Wisconsin residents.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/eviction-notice-s5.jpgEviction moratoriums end, and people still have no jobs and no money.

Funds made available with support from City of De Pere, donations from Schnieder foundation, more, announced to aid re-opening and begin recovery.

De Pere, WI  – The De Pere Area Chamber of Commerce, with support from the City of De Pere, announces COVID-19 Business Transition Grant that will assist small businesses located within De Pere while they move into re-opening and begin the stages of recovering from the state wide shutdown of non-essential businesses mandated on March 17, 2020.

“The De Pere Area Chamber is continuously searching for opportunities that benefit our business community,” says Amber Thiel, President/CEO of the De Pere Area Chamber of Commerce, “we are appreciative to have the ability and resources to step up during this time and assist small businesses in re-opening and moving forward through this undoubtably challenging period.”

Eligible applicants must own and operate a local business within the City of De Pere. Full-time equivalent employees may not exceed 25. Businesses within the Main Street District are eligible however, are only eligible for a grant up to $2,500 which includes any funds they may have received through Definitely De Pere’s COVID-19 Business Relief Grant Fund. Businesses may not exceed a grant of $2,500 between the two programs. Other criteria are considered, applications will be scored by a committee and awards will be granted by Wednesday, June 3, 2020 based on need.

Individuals, businesses, and/or corporations who are interested in donating to the COVID-19 Business Transition Grant Fund should contact the De Pere Area Chamber of Commerce via email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Applications can be submitted as soon as Thursday, May 21, 2020 for consideration and must be received by no later than Friday, May 29, 2020 to be considered. Maximum grant request is $2,500.

The De Pere Area Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)(6) non-profit. We are a member-owned organization built up of staff, interns, and volunteers. Our Mission is to advance the interests of member businesses through business development and community involvement to stimulate economic growth in the De Pere area. Our Vision is to make De Pere a destination for living, travel, and business.

*****

Click Here to access the application

Trump's groundless claim that Scarborough was involved in the death of a staffer in 2001 extremely inappropriate say Republicans.

WASHINGTON, DC - President Trump’s willingness to ratchet up his attacks on MSNBC host Joe Scarborough is causing unease even among people in the president’s orbit.

Read the full story here

The two-thirds of the Republican Party that voted for the bill in March have indicated they are going to vote against it now.

WASHINGTON, DC - House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said on Thursday that he is cancelling a vote on a bill to reauthorize three intelligence programs, marking the second day in a row that the legislation has been punted.

"At the request of the Speaker of the House, I am withdrawing consideration of the FISA Act," Hoyer said in a statement.

He also appeared to acknowledge that the bill would not have enough support to pass, noting that Republicans who previously supported it were now expected to oppose it.

Read the developing report here

https://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/howard-marklein-wi-taxation-committee-s5.jpgProgram will provide reimbursements for expenditures incurred this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic to Wisconsin counties, cities, villages and towns.

Since March, more than 40 million Americans have filed initial claims for unemployment benefits.

WASHINGTON, DC - Roughly 2.1 million more Americans filed new claims for jobless benefits as President Trump and governors push some states to loosen coronavirus-related restrictions, according to data released by the Labor Department on Thursday.

In the week ending May 23, a seasonally adjusted 2,123,000 Americans filed initial claims from unemployment benefits, falling from a revised total of 2,446,000 applications filed the week before.

Read the developing report here

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/unemployment-application-wi-gb-s5.jpgThey did nothing for years to make the state’s unemployment system work, and now they are trying to place the blame on our Governor and Secretary Frostman for the complicated and time consuming process workers face.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/graduates-2020-s5.pngCelebration goes on, but many unable to participate in traditional graduation ceremonies due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/veterans-memorial-day-2020-s5.jpgThis memorial day, honor the fallen but respect the living by wearing a mask, staying close to home and forgoing large gatherings of people.