Large waves and shoreline flooding on Jan. 10-12 across southeastern Wisconsin badly damaged infrastructure.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers has submitted a request for a federal disaster declaration for three southeastern Wisconsin counties damaged by severe winter storms that occurred Jan. 10-12. The request, made in a letter Monday to President Donald Trump, could make Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha counties eligible for federal disaster assistance to repair damage to public infrastructure along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

“Large waves and shoreline flooding across southeastern Wisconsin badly damaged infrastructure that helps protect communities and enhances the valuable natural resource that is Lake Michigan,” Gov. Evers said. “Federal disaster assistance would help ensure those areas can be repaired quickly and restored to what they looked like before the storms.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) completed a Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) in all three counties last week, verifying about $10 million in damages where repairs would be eligible for federal reimbursement.

Initial reports estimated about $30 million in damage was done to public infrastructure in the three affected counties. However, the PDA identified several areas that did not meet the threshold to qualify for possible federal assistance. As a result, those costs must be removed from any request for a federal declaration.

“While many of the affected communities suffered more damage to public infrastructure than would be eligible for federal assistance, any aid the federal government can provide will help with the recovery process,” said Dr. Darrell L. Williams, WEM administrator.

If approved, FEMA’s Public Assistance Program would help communities recover some of the eligible costs incurred including public infrastructure repair and debris cleanup from the storms. FEMA provides 75 percent of eligible costs. The state of Wisconsin and local communities impacted share the remaining 25 percent.

The program is not for businesses or homeowners as the level of damage in these areas, unfortunately, does not currently meet requirements for federal disaster relief. Residents and businesses that may have been impacted should check with their municipal, county and tribal government or emergency management offices for information on possible resources that may be available.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/roger-stone-trial-s5.jpgTop Washington DOJ officials undermine local prosecutors after Trump tweet on 'unfair' sentencing guidelines.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/donald-trump-little-s5.jpgTrump’s past budgets included significant cuts to both Medicare and Social Security, the 2020 budget called its subsidies to farmers ‘overly generous’, and for three years in a row, his budgets have proposed cuts to environmental programs.

Needed after system failures by the Wisconsin National Guard in its handling of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and retaliation allegations.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today announced that he has approved a corrective action plan developed by the Wisconsin National Guard to implement top-to-bottom changes in the Wisconsin National Guard in response to a federal review which detailed system failures by the Wisconsin National Guard in its handling of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and retaliation allegations.

On Dec. 9, 2019, Gov. Evers issued Executive Order #62, which required that the Wisconsin National Guard submit a corrective action plan for approval by the governor that details how the Wisconsin National Guard will implement each of the 21 recommendations in the National Guard Bureau’s Office of Complex Investigations’ Report and identify strategies to prevent sexual assault, sexual harassment, and other sexual misconduct, including best practices from other states’ national guards.

The plan, developed in conjunction with the National Guard Bureau, calls for strict compliance with federal regulations and guidance, supplemented by Wisconsin National Guard-developed processes that will ensure proper reporting, investigation, accountability, and support for survivors. Brig. Gen. Laurie Farris of the New Hampshire National Guard has been assigned to oversee the corrective action plan's development and implementation.

“There is still much work to be done to ensure that our service members are safe and supported while carrying out their mission, but we are taking important steps to implement needed reforms,” said Gov. Evers. “The corrective action plan that the Wisconsin National Guard has developed will help us implement the top-to-bottom changes needed to ensure a safe workplace in the Guard, one that is free of sexual assault and harassment and the fear they might face retaliation for reporting sexual assault or harassment when it happens.”

The plan will be implemented in four phases beginning immediately with an initiation phase that runs between now and March 31, followed by a validation phase that concludes May 31, an execution phase that concludes July 30, and a full implementation and reassessment phase that ends with a Wisconsin National Guard and National Guard Bureau validation that all 21 OCI assessment recommendations are satisfied no later than August 31.

The Office of Complex Investigations Assessment Corrective Action Plan is available here.

In January, Gov. Evers announced that Lt. Col. Brian Bischoff would serve as an ombudsman for the Wisconsin National Guard to assist survivors and complainants in the review of allegations of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and retaliation within the organization. Current and former members of the Wisconsin National Guard may directly contact the office of the ombudsman at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by calling (608) 267-7207.

Committee is tasked with educating Wisconsinites on the importance of completing the 2020 census, reaching hard-to-count communities, and identifying and reducing barriers that impede participation.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today announced his appointments to serve on the 2020 Census Complete Count Committee. The committee was created through Executive Order #55 and is tasked with educating Wisconsinites on the importance of completing the 2020 census, developing outreach strategies to reach hard-to-count communities, and identifying and reducing barriers that impede participation in the counting process.

“In 2010, Wisconsin had one of the highest census turnouts in the nation and we need to make sure that we are a leader once again,” said Gov. Evers. “That said, we've got our work cut out for us. It's estimated that Wisconsin's hard-to-count population is over 600,000, so the work of this committee cannot be taken lightly. I look forward to working with these dedicated individuals to ensure Wisconsin has an accurate and complete count in the 2020 Census.”

Members of the 2020 Census Complete Count Committee will include:

• Governor Tony Evers
• Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes
• Department of Public Instruction Designee Scott Jones
• Department of Administration Designee Joanna Beilman-Dulin
• State Senator Scott Fitzgerald
• State Senator Janet Bewley
• State Representative Cody Horlacher
• State Representative David Crowley
• Fabi Maldonado, Voces de la Frontera, Political Director
• Julie Kessler, Clerk-Treasurer, city of Cumberland
• Christina Kintop, Superior Board of Education, Vice President
• Catherine Emmanuelle, Eau Claire City Council, Vice President
• Monique Currie, Wisconsin Technical College System, Policy Advisor
• Rebecca Larson, Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, Senior Vice President for Advocacy
• Stefen Fletcher, University of Wisconsin System, Director of Administrative Polices and Special Projects
• Chai Moua, Freedom, Inc., State Civic Engagement Director
• Debra Reukauf, Chief of Police, city of Lancaster
• Jane Klekamp, Associate County Administrator, La Crosse County
• Denise Sweet, League of Conservation Voters, First Nations Organizer
• Corinda Rainey-Moore, Kids Forward, Community Outreach and Engagement Coordinator
• Brad Paul, Wisconsin Community Action Program Association, Executive Director
• Skye Alloway, Tribal Liaison US Census Bureau, Forest County Potawatomi
• Brenda González, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Director of Community Relations
• Tom Spitz, Settlers Bank, Chief Executive Officer
• Tammy Rivera, Southside Organizing Committee, Executive Director
• Barbara Beckert, Milwaukee and Southeast Wisconsin Disability Rights Wisconsin, Director of External Advocacy
• Plumer Lovelace, Wisconsin Library Association, Executive Director
• Chelsea Fibert, Wisconsin Counties Association, Legislative and Projects Coordinator
• Matt Dannenberg, Wisconsin Voices, Census Director
• Eric Weydt, Diocese of Green Bay, Catholic Social Justice Coordinator
• Sharon Robinson, city of Milwaukee Department of Administration Director and Milwaukee Local Complete Count Committee Chair
• Debra Cronmiller, League of Women Voters, Executive Director
• Rafael Smith, Wisconsin Citizen Action, Climate and Equity Director
• Charlene Mouille, United Way of Wisconsin, Executive Director
• Tony Shields, Wisconsin Philanthropy Network, President and CEO
• Mari Freiberg, Scenic Bluffs Community Health Center, Chief Executive Officer
• Wendy Strout, Human Rights Campaign, Wisconsin State Director
• Laura Rose, Wisconsin Hospital Association, Vice President for Policy Development
• Kit Amidzich, Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce, Membership Director
• Claire Reuning, Catholic Charities, Refugee Integration Specialist

More information and educational resources regarding the 2020 Census can be found at: https://wicount.wi.gov/pages/home.aspx

MADISON - Gov. Tony Evers today ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Sat., Feb. 8, 2020 as a mark of respect for Milwaukee Fire Department firefighter Darrin "Superman" Jones who passed away on February 1.

“Darrin was a dedicated member of the Milwaukee Fire Department, selflessly serving his community for nearly three decades,” said Gov. Evers. “He's remembered by his friends and colleagues for his sense of humor, enthusiasm, and passion for the work and for the people he served. My condolences are with the entire Jones family and his family at the Milwaukee Fire Department.”

The order is effective immediately and ends at sunset on Feb. 8, 2020.

Executive Order #70 can be found here.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/alexander-vindman-testify-s5.jpgWitness who testified in House impeachment inquiry pushed out of job by Trump.

MADISON  Gov. Tony Evers signed two more bills into law on Wednesday, in addition to several bipartisan bills announced earlier. The governor acted on the following bills:

Senate Bill 310, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 101:

• Prohibits the use of fire fighting foam that contains perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) unless the use is part of an emergency fire fighting or fire prevention operation or the use is for testing purposes;
• Requires testing facilities to implement appropriate containment, treatment, disposal and storage measures to prevent discharges of the foam to the environment;
• Directs the Department of Natural Resources to promulgate rules regarding appropriate storage measures for testing facilities;
• Prohibits flushing, draining, or discharging the foam into a storm or sanitary sewer;
• Requires immediate notification to the Department of Natural Resources if a fire fighting foam is used as part of an emergency fire fighting or fire prevention operation; and
• Requires a person in possession of a fire fighting foam, for the purpose of emergency fire fighting or fire prevention operations, to request and retain any safety data sheets relating to the fire fighting foam and make them available to the Department of Natural Resources for examination after use of the foam.

Senate Bill 438, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 102:

• Provides priority status to a mortgage that is executed to an institution chartered by the Farm Credit Administration that is part of the federal Farm Credit System.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/school-kids-s5.jpgInvestment needed in Wisconsin public school classrooms to replace past cuts, and lower property taxes.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/executive-money-s5.jpgLatest Fiscal Bureau Memo shows that by the end of 2020 it will have cost the state over $1.6 billion, and it is ineffective as well.