Will discuss and vote on draft map-drawing criteria online April 15 at 5:30 pm.

Madison, Wis. — The People’s Maps Commission (PMC) will hold a virtual Executive Session from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 15, 2021, to discuss and vote on draft map-drawing criteria that will be used to sift and winnow the 2020 U.S. Census data.

The criteria were developed by the Commissioners after hearing from more than 1,000 Wisconsinites, representing 65 counties and 245 municipalities, as well as engaging 18 redistricting experts from across the U.S. and Wisconsin.

The PMC criteria are ordered into four groups based on their importance and ultimate feasibility. These four groups create a data funneling process that will guide the next phase of the Commissioners' work and lead to the ultimate goal of fair district maps in Wisconsin.

The four grouping criteria are:

• GROUP 1: Traditional Districting Principles
• GROUP 2: Communities of Interest
• GROUP 3: Population Tuning
• GROUP 4: Partisan Fairness

A high-level overview of the draft criteria is available for review HERE. A more in-depth explanation of the draft process is available HERE.

There will not be an opportunity for public comments during the Executive Session; however, written comments remain strongly encouraged throughout the tenure of the PMC initiative. Written comments can be submitted at any time using the feedback form available on the People’s Maps Commission website HERE. A link for viewing the Executive Session will be shared publicly closer to the meeting date.

Selected by a three-judge panel, the Commission is a nine-member nonpartisan redistricting commission charged with drawing fair, impartial maps for the State of Wisconsin. More information about the Commission, its members, and its activities are available HERE.

Every 10 years, each state redraws its legislative and congressional districts using data from the decennial census. In addition to the data from the 2020 U.S. Census, the Commission will use information gathered during the public hearing process to prepare new maps. It will then be up to the Legislature to take up and approve the maps created by the Commission.

Individuals interested in watching previous PMC hearings can find the recordings HERE.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/coronavirus-small-business1-s5.jpgInvestment in economic well-being will revitalize Main Streets and prioritize equitable recovery across the state.

Sixth DHS community-based vaccination clinic to open.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced Tuesday that the sixth community-based vaccination clinic in the state will open in Barron County on April 20. The site will be located at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire campus in Rice Lake, Wisconsin.

“We started opening these clinics with the goal to optimize local vaccination efforts by closing gaps in vaccine access across Wisconsin,” said Gov. Evers. “From Rock County to Racine, and now in Barron County, these clinics are helping us accomplish that goal by getting more shots in arms and helping our communities bounce back from COVID-19.”

Initially, the Barron clinic plans to administer at least 200 doses per day and has the ability to do up to 500 doses per day, dependent on vaccine supply. The clinic will be open Tuesday through Saturday, from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Anyone ages 16 and older can schedule an appointment at the Barron clinic by using the Wisconsin COVID-19 Vaccine Registry. For vaccine-related questions and appointment registration support, individuals can call toll-free at 1-844-684-1064. For more information on available COVID-19 vaccination options, visit the Where can I get vaccinated? webpage.

The DHS community-based vaccination clinic in Barron County is operated by AMI Expeditionary Healthcare through collaboration with Barron County Health Department, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Western Wisconsin Public Health Readiness Consortium, area health care partners including Cumberland Healthcare, Marshfield Clinic Health System, Mayo Clinic Health System, and Prevea Health, other local partners, and DHS. Various factors including population demographics, local health capacity, operations, and concentration of other vaccine providers are taken into consideration when planning for clinics.

Other DHS community-based vaccination clinics are located in the following counties: Douglas, La Crosse, Marathon, Racine, and Rock. As of April 12, these sites have administered 28,416 total vaccine doses.

For up-to-date information about Wisconsin’s COVID-19 response, visit the DHS COVID-19 webpage. We encourage you to follow @DHSWI on Facebook, Twitter, or dhs.wi on Instagram for more information on COVID-19.

Virtual listening session will cover topics including addressing racial disparities in our justice system, legalizing marijuana, investing in treatment, rehabilitation, and other alternatives to incarceration.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/asian-american-pacific-islander-s5.jpgEnvironmental group calling on all Madison legislators to support racial justice and accountability by passing of Joint Resolution LRB 2576 & LRB 2572 in the wake of growing Anti-Asian violence.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/univ-student-vote-s5.jpgWisconsin’s highest court has shut down WEC attempt to unlawfully purge voters from the rolls, finding the relevant statute is directed at municipal clerks, not them. Victory for voters.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/school-bus-kids-s5.jpgWisconsin among 6 states selected; state to receive $35,000 grant, technical assistance from the NGA.

Rep. Gordon Hintz and Barnes scheduled to tour the planned wing renovation of the UW Oshkosh Nursing Education Building.

OSHKOSH – Today, Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes will be in Oshkosh to tour the planned wing renovation of the UW Oshkosh Nursing Education Building (CLOW Hall). In early March, Governor Evers announced his 2021-23 Capital Budget proposal, which includes a recommendation of $26,974,000 for the completion of the second phase of the Nursing Education Building (Clow Hall Phase II) at UW Oshkosh. Representative Gordon Hintz issued the following statement welcoming Lt. Gov. Barnes to Oshkosh and highlighting the importance of the Clow Hall Phase II project:

“It is an honor to welcome my friend and former colleague, Lieutenant Governor Barnes, to the City of Oshkosh and the 54th Assembly District. I’m also glad to have an opportunity today to highlight the importance of completing the renovation of UW Oshkosh’s Clow Hall, which is a long overdue investment in our state’s future growth and success.”

“Over the past year, Wisconsinites have been reminded of the crucial role educators and nurses play throughout our state. We need their learning environment to reflect the advancements made in science and technology so they can receive 21st century training. I urge my colleagues on the Joint Finance Committee to approve the full Clow Hall recommendation when the Capital Budget comes before them later this spring. This cannot wait another biennium to be approved.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid-19-vaccine-drivethru-latimes-s5.jpgFifth DHS community-based vaccination clinic to open in Wisconsin.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid-19-restaurant-owner-s5.jpgEstimated 9,300 small businesses to receive $5,000 grants through ‘We’re All In’ program.