Governor Evers Releases State COVID-19 Bill

Governor Evers released a 65-page draft piece of legislation and a draft joint resolution on Saturday night aimed at addressing COVID-19. The Governor also released a chart outlining the proposal.  

In a memo to legislative leaders the Legislative Fiscal Bureau provides a Summary of provisions of Governor Evers’ proposed legislation and Joint Resolution indefinitely extending public health emergency

In a letter to Governor Evers last night, Republican legislative leaders have said they will not move forward on this bill and are working on their own proposal. 

Highlights of Governor Evers’ proposed legislation:

Education 

The bill includes many provisions related to education. Specifically, it:

• Requires all schools (public, charter and school choice schools) to continue paying employees at their regular rate when schools are closed for a public health emergency, regardless of whether the current employee is required to report to work while schools are closed.
• Prohibits all schools from laying off staff when schools are closed for a public health emergency. 
• Waives the requirement that DPI publish school report cards (accountability reports) for the 2019-20 school year.
• Gives DPI the authority to waive any state education statute or rule that places requirements on school districts or private schools when schools are closed during a public health emergency. 

WRS Retirees Returning to Work During the Public Health Emergency

• Allows Wisconsin Retirement System retirees to return to work without losing their retirement payment if they are returning to a “critical position” as determined by the Department of Health Services during the public health emergency.

Emergency Preparedness 

• Provides $300 million to the Department of Military Affairs to respond to the public health emergency. 
• Provides $200 million to the Department of Administration to respond to the public health emergency. 

Voting

The bill contains several provisions related to voting during public health emergencies. Specifically, for elections held during a declared public health emergency, it would: 

• Require elections held during public health emergencies to be held by mail. 
• Waive the state’s Photo ID requirement.
• Waive the requirement that mail-in absentee ballots need a witness signature.
• Allow mail-in ballots to be counted as long as they are postmarked by Election Day.
• Allow voters to register electronically until 5 days before the election.

Housing

• Prohibits a landlord from serving an eviction notice to a tenant for failure to pay rent during a public health emergency and for 45 days after the public health emergency.

Employment 

• Suspends the requirement that an employer provide an employee with their personnel record within 7 working days of the request during a public health emergency. 

Unemployment Insurance

• Eliminates the one-week waiting period for Unemployment Insurance.

Schools, Public Libraries Closed by Safer at Home Order

Governor Evers has officially issued his Safer at Home order. As the order is 16 pages long and contains many exemptions, please read it in full if you have questions. It will go into effect at 8 a.m. on March 25 and end at 8 a.m. on Friday, April 24. 

Wisconsinites are ordered to stay at home during this time except for certain activities, which are outlined at the bottom of this post. According to the Governor, individuals will not need special permission to leave their homes.   

Schools remain closed under the order except for facilitating virtual or distance learning or food distribution. Public libraries will also be closed but they can continue to provide on-line programming. 

All public and private gatherings of any number of people are prohibited (exceptions are provided for funerals, weddings and religious facilities with less than 10 people in a room). 

The order closes all for-profit and non-profit businesses except those listed as essential by the order. Essential businesses must continue to follow social distancing recommendations and use technology to minimize in-person meetings. 

Essential businesses and functions include (but are not limited to):

• All health care and in-home care providers
• Pharmacies 
• Long-term care and assisted living facilities
• Businesses and religious or secular nonprofit organizations that provide charitable and social services. 
• Weddings, funerals and religious entities with less than 10 people in a room 
• Child care settings limited to 10 staff and 50 children. They must prioritize providing care to children of health care workers or employees of other vital areas
• Adult day care and adult day services
• Businesses that provide food, shelter, social services, or other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged individuals, individuals with physical, intellectual or developmental disabilities, or otherwise needy individuals
• Essential government functions like law enforcement, firefighters and EMS
• Adoption agencies 
• Public transportation, taxis, Uber/Lyft, paratransit
• Grocery stores, food banks, restaurants and bars offering delivery or take out
• Airlines 
• Gas stations
• Banks and credit unions 
• Hotels and motels 
• Critical trades like plumbers and electricians 
• Post offices and delivery services 
• Media 
• Hardware and supply stores 
• Laundromats and dry cleaners 
• Professional services like legal, accounting and real estate 
• And many more specific jobs (please read the full order for a comprehensive list) 

Wisconsin residents will be able to: 

• Perform tasks essential to maintain health and safety, such as obtaining medicine or seeing a doctor;
• Get necessary services or supplies for themselves or their family or household members, such as getting food and supplies, pet food and supplies necessary for staying at home;
• Care for a family member in another household; 
• Go to work at an essential business; 
• Engage in outdoor activities like walking, running, biking and hiking as long as they follow social distancing guidelines; and
• Care for older adults, minors, dependents, people with disabilities or other vulnerable persons.

Please Consider Voting Absentee for the Spring Election

As of this writing, Wisconsin's Spring Election on April 7 is scheduled to proceed as planned. In an effort to respond to public health guidance related to the Coronavirus outbreak, election officials are encouraging Wisconsinites to vote absentee. 

There are many important races on your ballot, including the Wisconsin Supreme Court and a proposed constitutional amendment related to crime victim rights called Marcy's Law. In addition, there are local races for school board and county executives taking place across Wisconsin. 

How to Request an Absentee Ballot 

1. Voters who are already registered can request an absentee ballot be sent to them until April 2. Due to the high demand for absentee ballots, election officials recommend submitting your request as soon as possible. 

2. Visit https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/RequestAnAbsenteeBallot and fill out the request form. You will need to upload a picture of your photo ID if this is your first time requesting an absentee ballot. 

3. Once you receive your ballot, fill it out using the instruction form that comes with the ballot. Both you and a witness will need to sign the certificate envelope.  The witness will also need to write their address. The City of Madison has made this helpful video explaining the absentee voting process: https://www.cityofmadison.com/clerk/elections-voting/voting/vote-absentee 

4. Your completed ballot must be returned to the Clerk's office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. 

In-person Absentee Voting 

You can also vote in-person at your local clerk's office. Please contact your clerk's office to ask about their in-person early voting hours as they vary by municipality. Find your clerk: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-US/MyMunicipalClerk