http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid-19-vaccine-shot2-s5.jpgWisconsin continues to be regional, national leader in vaccine administration.

Hygiene products are necessities, not luxuries says legislation author.

MADISON- State Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) introduced LRB 0124/1 this week, a bipartisan bill that would remove the state sales tax on menstrual products, diapers, and adult incontinence products.

Senator Agard released the  following statement:

“Menstrual products and diapers are necessities, not luxuries. These products are essential in our everyday lives and should absolutely be exempted from state sales tax,” Senator Agard stated. “It makes no sense that viagra, potato chips, and kit kats are not taxed in Wisconsin, but tampons and diapers are.”

Senator Agard has been a champion of removing the “tampon tax” for multiple legislative sessions. The Legislative Fiscal Bureau recently calculated that the amount of sales tax collected in the state on feminine hygiene products is $2.7 million annually.

“It is not a choice to be a person who menstruates. Taxing tampons and pads as luxury items is an outdated policy that needs to change. Similarly, diapers are a product that every family has to budget for, and we should be doing all we can to make these costs more affordable and recognize them as essential items.”

“Ultimately, this is about equality in our tax code and respect. It is about supporting families and making these products affordable for everyone in Wisconsin.”

States across the country have been removing these taxes due to the unfair nature, however 30 states still tax menstrual products as luxury items.

Second DHS community-based vaccination clinic to open in Wisconsin on March 9. Locations are selected to address gaps in vaccine access.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/childcare-s5.jpgWisconsin received roughly $148.8 million in Federal CCDBG funds to offset the continued impact of the pandemic, and plans to use part to ensure families can continue to access affordable, quality child care.

Intolerance of actions taken Tuesday by legislative Republicans shows their inability to exercise compassion or empathy for those who do not fit their narrative, says Madison lawmaker.

MADISON- Tuesday, Legislative Republicans introduced legislation that bars trans-youth from participating in organized athletics.

Senator Agard released this statement:

“This morning, we learned that a pair of bills are being introduced by Republicans that would prohibit transgender student athletes from participating in organized sports at school. These hateful, anti-trans bills are showing up in state legislatures around the country in a coordinated attack on the LGBTQ+ community. This blatant discrimination based on gender-identity cannot be tolerated.

“Let me say this loud and clear - trans rights are human rights and human rights are trans rights. This attack on the LGBTQ+ community is shameful. Trans-kids are not a political pawn that can be used to divide our communities. These are children who want to live their lives and excel just like any other child. Perpetuating anti-trans stereotypes hurts not only trans-individuals, but also the student athletes they claim they are protecting.

“The shocking intolerance of the actions taken today by legislative Republicans shows their inability to exercise compassion or empathy for those who do not fit their narrative. Trans-women are women. Protecting women and girls in sports means making sure that all women and girls are welcome in sports and feel safe to participate in them.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid-19-vaccination-65-s5.jpgSen. Smith writes about Governor Evers’ Administration’s ongoing efforts to get more Wisconsinites vaccinated.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/school-sports-s5.pngGOP legislation is a blatant attempt to codify discrimination and perpetuate damaging, inaccurate, and deeply offensive stereotypes against trans youth taking part in sports, say members of Wisconsin LGBTQ Caucus.

Nursing Education Building complex at UW Oshkosh in Ever's 2021-23 Capital Budget proposal. Recognizes the important, technological advancements needed in teacher training.

MADISON – Last week, Governor Evers announced his 2021-23 Capital Budget proposal, which included 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. Rep. Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) released the following statement:

“I am thrilled that Gov. Evers has prioritized funding for the Clow Hall/Nursing Education Building complex at UW Oshkosh in his 2021-23 Capital Budget proposal. I have worked hard for many years to renovate Clow Hall, starting with getting the project approved in 2011 and approving funding for Phase I in 2013, which was completed in 2016. The need for the Phase II renovation has only grown as approval has been delayed. I applaud Gov. Evers for recognizing the importance of this UW System priority and finishing this renovation by funding Clow Phase II in his 2021-23 Capital Budget.

“Future educators cannot develop the appropriate skill set that is needed to teach our next generation if they do not have the hands-on experience needed to teach in a modern learning environment. The investments made in Clow Phase II not only honors our state and UW Oshkosh’s strong commitment to education, but also recognizes the important, technological advancements needed in teacher training.

“Over the past year, we have been reminded over and over how important nurses are to help Wisconsinites stay healthy and to help us recover from illness. As we consider how to invest state resources in the next biennium and beyond, there is no doubt that ensuring our future nurses can be trained in a 21st century facility must be a priority. I will do everything I can in the coming weeks to fight for this funding to be approved.”

The State Building Commission will meet on March 17th to vote on the governor’s recommendations, and will then move on to the Committee on Joint Finance.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/gb-vote1-47-s5.jpgDOA seeks public comment at 2nd Congressional District virtual public hearing to occur on March 11. Hearing is the Commission’s eighth and final congressional district hearing.

Public defenders play a vital role in ensuring we have an efficient and just system that provides zealous representation no matter a person's financial status.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Senate Bill (SB) 62 on Monday, a bipartisan bill that will allow the Wisconsin State Public Defender's Office to utilize savings over the past year due to staff turnover to provide a much overdue pay progression increase to staff to help retain and recruit talented staff, while ensuring competitive salaries compared to their prosecutor counterparts.  According to the State Public Defender, since March 2020, the Wisconsin State Public Defender's Office lost 78 staff members, many who left seeking better pay. 

“Our public defenders play a vital role in ensuring we have an efficient and just system that provides zealous representation no matter a person's financial status,” said Gov. Evers. “But for too long they have been doing more with less and it shows, especially this past year as they have continued to serve the people of our state throughout the pandemic, while struggling to retain talented, experienced staff. We can’t make the robust, critical changes needed to reform our criminal justice system in Wisconsin if our public defenders are overworked, understaffed, and undervalued. That’s why I am glad to be signing this bipartisan bill today.”

The governor’s 2021-23 budget builds on SB 62 by ensuring the pay progression will continue in each year of the biennium.

SB 62, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 7, is available here. A video of the bill signing today is available here.