We will be dealing with a coronavirus economy for probably 12 to 18 months says Palzewicz, while Republicans hope there's enough people who want to declare this pandemic is not real. Robin Vos and Scott Fitzgerald don't have a plan.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/voting-2020-538-s5.jpgThe People’s Maps Commission has an important role in re-drawing Wisconsin’s electoral maps and fixing our broken partisan gerrymandering system. State residents have until July 31st to apply to be a member.

Governor’s personal assistant, 25, dies in a tubing accident. His wit, enthusiasm, grace, and humility will be missed.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/unemployment-virus-outbreak-dp-s5.jpgBills would end one-week waiting period, concept of substantial fault, and allow people in occupational training and with disabilities to receive benefits.

Record layoffs during pandemic is revealing challenges within the Wisconsin unemployment system that must be fixed.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/unemployment-wi-wkow-s5.jpgBills would roll back barriers to Unemployment Insurance (UI) imposed during decade of misguided anti-worker legislation.

People learn more about how the climate crisis is impacting people across the state and to hear about potential solutions.

MADISON - On Wednesday evening, Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes hosted the fifth and final listening session of the Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change via video teleconference.

The task force held the virtual listening sessions in order to learn more about how the climate crisis is impacting people across the state and to hear about potential solutions the state should adopt. Over a thousand Wisconsinites from Superior to Sturgeon Bay to Mazomanie joined Lt. Gov. Barnes and task force members virtually.

“I’m incredibly grateful to the people who took time out of their days to join us for these listening sessions and shape the work of this task force,” said Lt. Gov. Barnes. “People from every corner of the state came forward to share personal stories and make their voices heard, and we’re committed to ensuring their concerns drive our climate solutions.”

The five listening sessions also included expert presentations from organizations and local government leaders working on sustainability, conservation, environmental justice, and renewable energy. Some of the presenters included Deneine C. Powell, Executive Director of Groundwork Milwaukee, Mayor Gordon Ringberg of the City of Bayfield, and Patrick Pelky from the Oneida Nation.

Those who could not attend the virtual listening sessions are encouraged to submit comments, recommendations, and concerns for the task force’s consideration on the task force’s website, ClimateChange.wi.gov. The deadline to submit comments is July 31, 2020.

Initiative by collective to end domestic abuse looking for folks to promote culturally specific programs in their respective communities.

MILWAUKEE – We Are Here MKE is a collective comprising the culturally specific domestic and sexual violence programs in Milwaukee, WI. The collective includes:

• The Asha Project, an initiative under End Domestic Abuse WI;
• Our Peaceful Home, a project of the the Milwaukee Muslim Women's Coalition;
• UMOS Latina Resource Center;
• The Hmong American Women's Association;
• Diverse & Resilient's Room to Be Safe Anti-Violence Program;
• HIR Wellness Institute for Native populations; and
• Black Health Coalition of WI (BHCW)

The initiative was created to amplify the expertise of culturally specific programs in their respective communities and bolster awareness of culturally specific programs' existence, so that survivors from those communities - who for reasons including bias, racism, and mistrust of systems based in historical systemic violence do not feel comfortable utilizing mainstream programs - know that alternatives exist, and finding safety is possible.

At present, culturally specific programs do not have access to the vital data necessary to meet the needs of their communities, and they are not equitably represented or meaningfully heard in decision-making conversations about funding and the policies and protocols that directly impact victims and survivors they are designed to serve. This results in mainstream programs receiving higher levels of funding and awareness, leaving culturally specific programs underfunded and under-resourced, despite their expertise.

The We Are Here MKE initiative has 3 primary goals:

1. Access data in an ongoing fashion regarding domestic violence (DV) and sexual assault (SA) incidents responded to by the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) that strengthens collaborative efforts with all DV/SA service providers.
2. Strengthen coordination with MPD district stations serving culturally specific communities.
3. Develop and launch a multilayered campaign featuring the culturally specific programs’ presence and expertise.

"This is not about taking money away from mainstream programs," says Antonia Vann, Executive Director of The Asha Project. "We don't have a deficit mindset. We know that there is enough money for all of our programs to meet the needs of survivors. Milwaukee is diverse and all organizations have a role to play in serving victims in the city. This is us saying that we are here, we exist, we want to help, and we need the data, the collaboration, and the funding to do it."

We Are Here MKE is taking initial steps to move forward with their three goals, which serve to fulfill their vision of a world where ALL survivors can have access to safety and live fully in their dignity with love and respect in Milwaukee. Because this essential vision cannot come to fruition without the committed support of community partners, the collective urges key stakeholders to fund and elevate the work of Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) leadership in serving the community. They invite folks who are ready to demonstrate their commitment to racial justice work to reach out to The Asha Project Executive Director Antonia Vann at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence is the leading voice for victims of domestic abuse in Wisconsin. At End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, we educate shelter and program volunteers and advocates, law enforcement, legislators, and community members to provide safety and support to survivors. We strive to shift Wisconsin from the attitudes and beliefs that cause domestic violence to values of mutual respect and equality, and we partner with communities in the effort to prevent and end domestic abuse. We encourage reporters to include the National Domestic Violence Hotline number [1−800−799−SAFE(7233)] in their stories for victims who need help. A list of local Wisconsin domestic violence victim service providers can be found at http://www.endabusewi.org.

WHEFA saved Wisconsin nonprofit institutions nearly $70.6 million by refinancing outstanding debt and completed 21 financings for such institutions totaling more than $1.1 billion.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers Thursday commended the Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority (WHEFA), which just issued its 2020 Fiscal Year in Review for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020.

The report indicates WHEFA saved Wisconsin nonprofit institutions nearly $70.6 million by refinancing outstanding debt and completed 21 financings for such institutions totaling more than $1.1 billion. WHEFA financing during this fiscal year will help create an estimated 369 new jobs and maintain 1,054 jobs, while an estimated 2,485 construction jobs will be created for new capital projects.

“After 41 years, WHEFA continues to deliver access to capital at the lowest cost to the State’s nonprofit organizations,” said Gov. Evers. “Most, if not all, of the Wisconsin’s nonprofit acute care hospitals, senior care and educational facilities are impacted by the current pandemic and continued access to capital is vital to these important institutions in the short-and long-term.”

Highlights from the fiscal year in review include 19 different nonprofit borrowers at 39 Wisconsin locations benefited from bond proceeds during the fiscal year 2020, including five long-term care organizations, nine acute-care organizations, three private schools, and two other nonprofit facilities. These Wisconsin nonprofit organizations employ more than 38,000 people.

“We are very thankful for the support of the Governor as we continue to serve nonprofits during these unprecedented times," said Executive Director Dennis Reilly. “Closing this fiscal year marks another successful year assisting a variety of nonprofits throughout the state and we look forward to continuing our mission to finance and refinance critical infrastructure projects for Wisconsin nonprofits.” 

WHEFA, created by the Legislature in 1973, has been providing active capital financing assistance to Wisconsin nonprofit organizations since 1979. Bonds issued by WHEFA do not utilize any state funds or constitute an indebtedness of the state. The state has no liability to repay any obligation issued by WHEFA under any circumstances.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/broadband-map-northwoods-s5.jpgGroup charged to expand high speed internet access to every residence, business, and institution in the state.