WEMTA's Legislative Chair Emily Dittmar Appointed to Governor's Task Force on Broadband Access!

WEMTA is excited to announce that our Legislative Chair Emily Dittmar has been appointed to serve on the Governor's Taskforce on Broadband Access! Emily is one of 24 diverse stakeholders selected by the Governor to prepare a report on Broadband access in Wisconsin and to develop policy solutions aimed at tackling the digital divide. 

"This task force will bring together experts from across the state to research and recommend solutions that state leaders can adopt to connect every person in Wisconsin," said Governor Evers. 

The Governor has charged the Task Force with:

• Researching and recommending forward-looking broadband policies and initiatives that address state broadband goals and needs;

• Promoting the efficient, strategic expansion of the broadband facilities and adoption across the state;

• Exploring and developing solutions, in collaboration with key broadband stakeholders and experts;

• Reporting to the Governor and Legislature, annually by June 30, on:

• Recommendations for facilitating the deployment and adoption of broadband in Wisconsin;

• Appropriate measures of digital inclusion and strategies for addressing identified gaps and inequities; 

• Opportunities for coordination among state, local, and federal agencies; 

• Current and future needs, barriers, and goals regarding broadband access, affordability, and adoption; 

• Opportunities for innovative approaches and partnerships to expand broadband adoption;

• The role of broadband in Wisconsin’s key economic, public, and social sectors, including in education, healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, industry, Tribal Nations, energy, libraries, public safety, and tourism; 

• The extent to which consumers, health care providers, educational institutions, libraries, and service providers have accessed federal Universal Service Funds; 

• Advances in broadband technology; and 

• The adequacy and appropriateness of existing statutory broadband goals.

Aug. 11 Wisconsin Primary Preview

Wisconsinites will cast their ballots in the Fall Primary on August 11, 2020. With the exception of the U.S. President, this election serves as the primary for all November 2020 races. Any U.S. Congressional, State Senate or State Assembly race that requires a primary will be on the ballot in August (races to watch are previewed below). 

Please consider requesting an absentee ballot for this Election to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Absentee ballot requests must be received by your municipal clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Thursday before the election (August 6) in order for an absentee ballot to be sent to you. Completed ballots must be received by your municipal clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day in order to be counted.

How to Request an Absentee Ballot 

1. Registered voters can request an absentee ballot be sent to them until August 6, 2020.  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 (August 11). 

View What's on Your Ballot 

You can preview your ballot by visiting: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-US/PreviewMyBallot

Watch Candidate Interviews

Wisconsin Eye is interviewing all primary candidates. You can see all of the interviews here:https://wiseye.org/category/campaign/

Breakdown of Primary Races

The following is a breakdown of how the primary races in Wisconsin.

U.S. Congress

All eight members of the House of Representatives from Wisconsin's  Congressional Delegation are up for election. 

Uncontested: 0

Democratic Primary: 3

Republican Primary: 3

Decided by Primary: 0

Decided by General Election: 8

Primaries to Watch:

Congressional District 3: Incumbent Congressman Ron Kind (D-La Crosse) faces a primary challenge from Mark Neumann (D-La Crosse). The winner will face the winner of the Republican primary between Derrick Van Orden (R-Hager City) and Jessi Ebben (R-Eau Claire) in November. 

Congressional District 6: There is a three-person Democratic Primary that includes former state senator Jessica King (D-Oshkosh). The winner of the primary will run against Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) in November.

Wisconsin State Senate

State Senators from even-numbered districts are up for re-election. There are 16 seats up, but four are contested. 

Uncontested: 4 (Senators Cowles, L. Taylor, Stroebel and Wirch)

Democratic Primary: 5

Republican Primary: 3

Decided by Primary: 1 (SD 26)

Decided by General Election: 11

Primaries to Watch:

Senate District 6: Incumbent State Senator LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee) faces a primary challenge from Michelle Bryant (D-Milwaukee).

Senate District 10: State Representative Rob Stafsholt (R-New Richmond) is competing in the Republican primary against Cherie Link (R-Somerset). The winner takes on State Senator Patty Schachtner (D-Somerset) in November.

Senate District 14: State Representative Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) is competing in the Republican primary against Ken Van Dyke (R- Scandinavia). The winner takes on Democrat Joni Anderson (D-Adams) for a chance to fill retiring State Senator Luther Olsen’s (R-Ripon)  seat.

Senate District 16: State Representative Melissa Sargent (D-Madison) is running against Andrew McKinney (D-Cottage Grove) in the Democratic primary to fill retiring State Senator Mark Miller’s (D-Monona) seat. The winner faces Scott Barker (R-Sun Prairie) in November.

Senate District 26: Former state representative Kelda Roys (D-Madison) takes on six other opponents in the Democratic primary that will decide who fills retiring State Senator Fred Risser’s (D-Madison) seat. Risser served in the Legislature for 64 years. 

Senate District 32: Former Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska) takes on Paul Michael Weber (D-La Crosse) and Jayne Swiggum (D-Gays Mills) in the Democratic primary in the race to fill retiring State Senator Jennifer Shilling’s (D-La Crosse) seat. The winner will take on former state senator Dane Kapanke (R-La Crosse) in November.

Wisconsin State Assembly

All 99 members of the Wisconsin State Assembly are up for election. 

Uncontested: 17 (Representatives Steineke, Riemer, Bowen, Haywood, Goyke, Sinicki, Brandtjen, Vorpagel, Mursau, Schraa, Gundrum, Ramthun, Kerkman, Stubbs, Kuglitsch, Spiros and Duchow).

Democratic Primary: 13

Republican Primary: 12

Decided by Primary: 3 (AD 60, 78 and 98)

Decided by General Election: 79

Primaries to Watch:

Assembly District 9: Incumbent Representative Marisabel Cabrera (D-Milwaukee) is facing a primary challenge from Christian Saldivar (D-Milwaukee). The winner faces Veronica Diaz (R-Milwaukee) in November.

 Assembly District 48: There is a four-person Democratic primary to fill Representative Melissa Sargent’s (D-Madison) seat, which she vacated to run for Senate. The winner faces Samuel Anderson (R-Madison) in November.

Assembly District 60: Incumbent Representative Rob Brooks (R-Saukville) faces a primary challenge by Chris Reimer (R-Cedarburg). The primary decides this race.

Assembly District 76: There is a seven-person Democratic primary to fill Representative Chris Taylor’s (D-Madison) vacant seat. The winner of the primary faces Patrick Hull (R-Madison) in November.

Assembly District 78: Incumbent Representative Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) faces a primary challenge from Rob Slamka (D-Madison). The primary decides this race.

Assembly District 80: Incumbent Representative Sondy Pope (D-Mount Horeb) faces a primary challenge from Kimberly Smith (D-Oregon). The winner faces Chase Binnie (R-Mount Horeb) in November.

Assembly District 82: Incumbent Representative Ken Skowronski (R-Franklin) faces a primary challenge from Theodore D. Kafkas (R-Franklin). The winner faces the winner of the Democratic primary in November.

Assembly District 89: Incumbent Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette) faces a primary challenge from Andi Rich (R-Marinette). The winner faces Karl Jaeger (D-Marinette) in November.

Assembly District 90: Incumbent Representative Staush Gruszynski (D-Green Bay) faces a primary challenge from Kristina Shelton (D-Green Bay).  The winner faces Drew Kirsteatter (R-Green Bay) in November.

 Assembly District 98: Incumbent Adam Neylon (R-Pewaukee) faces a primary challenge by Rob Ochoa (R-Pewaukee). The primary decides this race.

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Identifies Broadband Access as #2 Priority for Reopening State

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) was required by the Legislature to submit a report on the major industries impacted by COVID-19. WEDC officially released the report last week, which lists the need to "fix broadband" as the #2 priority area as Wisconsin works to re-open.

"Just last week, recommendations from the Department of Public Instruction for reopening include access to broadband and digital technology," writes WEDC. "This demonstrates, as with the shift to remote working, the desperate and immediate need to provide accessible, affordable and quality broadband throughout Wisconsin. This, therefore, becomes second of the priorities for recovery."

The report also includes a description of the challenges faced by the Education sector on page 38 of the PDF, including K-12 schools and higher education. Interestingly, the report highlights the online learning start-up Fiveable.

The full "fix broadband" plan can be found starting on page 142 of the PDF. "The state will need to take a holistic view towards planning with the goal to connect every Wisconsin citizen to adequate, reliable, equitable and affordable broadband service," writes WEDC. In addition to broadband access, WEDC  cites the need to consider access to technology and devices. Overall, their recommendations are to:

•  Focus on school districts where children do not have access – over 45,000 lack a means by which to access online learning and access is useless without a device.. 
• Continue and increase funding for the Wisconsin Broadband Office and the Broadband Expansion Grant Program
• State Agency Broadband Working Group – use key broadband liaisons from each state agency to align with and coordinate efforts with the Wisconsin Broadband Office in a strategic hub and spoke organization effort
• The WI Broadband Playbook – this is a local community broadband expansion planning resource. This will give any community the play-by-play of how to pursue broadband, funding resources, potential partners, and how to overcome other barriers. 
•  State Digital Equity Plan – the PSC is developing a state-wide plan to increase internet adoption, digital literacy skills and affordable internet access programs throughout the state.

WEMTA COVID-19 Survey Highlights Lack of Broadband Access, Need for Instructional Technology PD

Thank you to everyone who responded to our survey about your remote learning experience during COVID-19! We officially released our findings this week, which show how the lack of broadband infrastructure in Wisconsin undercuts efforts to provide remote learning. Respondents also overwhelming say their district needs funding to provide instructional technology professional development.

You can view our press release here and our fact sheet here. These materials were shared with the Governor's office, the state Department of Public Instruction, the Public Service Commission, other educational stakeholders and the media.

Key results highlighted by the survey include:

• Nearly two-thirds of respondents said that parts of their school district don't have access to broadband or cellular networks
• 80% said their district needs funding for instructional technology professional development
• 42% said they spent 16 hours or more each week helping teacher provide remote learning 

Governor Evers Provides $46 Million for K-12 COVID-19 Relief; Hearing on DPI Reopening Plan June 24

Governor Evers announced on Wednesday that he will provide $46 million in COVID-19 funds to Wisconsin K-12 schools. These funds will prioritize students and districts that have the highest remote learning needs and have been the most significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. DPI will provide more information on how to access these funds. 

The Assembly Committee on Education is also holding an informational hearing on June 24 on DPI's school reopening plan, which will be released early next week.They will hear from invited speakers only: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/raw/cid/1556744

DPI Holding Hearing June 8 on Funding for Virtual Summer School

The Department of Public Instruction is holding a public hearing via conference call on Monday, June 8  at 10:30 a.m. related to an emergency rule they have implemented  to expand the grade levels in which school districts may receive state aid for providing virtual instruction during summer and interim session courses. Currently, schools can receive aid for virtual summer school programs taught to high schools students and students in grades 7 and 8. DPI's emergency rule has expanded this to all grade levels. 

Rule-Making Notices

DPI (PI 17). EmR2003. Expanding virtual summer and interim session courses.

• CONFERENCE CALL:10:30 am: Mon, June 8. Phone Number +1 608-620-9781 Conference ID: 644 099 123#

Joint Finance Committee Approves Additional Funds for Schools; Update on Safer Home Order Strike Down

The Joint Finance Committee (JFC) approved on Wednesday the Department of Public Instruction's plan outlining how they will use the $17.4 million in flexible Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funding provided to Wisconsin by the federal CARES Act. JFC negotiated with DPI to make one minor change to the plan, which had originally let DPI keep up to $500,000 for administrative costs. JFC lowered this amount to $350,000. 

DPI's plan does the following:

1. Minimum Level of Support: This plan proposes to provide every local educational agency with at least $40,000 from the Emergency Relief Fund. This is estimated to require approximately $1.5 million. 

2. Building capacity for, and expanding access to, high quality online instructional resources: DPI will collaborate with the Wisconsin Digital Learning Collaborative, the CESA Instructional Technology Network and the the Institute for Personalized Learning to support online, blended, and remote instructional delivery systems. DPI plans to focus on providing additional capacity to facilitate access to online and blended courses and support for schools to build out their own high-quality online or blended instruction.

3.Providing training for educators in the provision of online and remote instruction. DPI will work with educator preparation programs to prepare educators for delivering instruction in online and remote settings.

4. Expanding and building capacity of school staff to provide mental health services to better  support students.  DPI will provide resources and online training to support mental health offerings for students and school staff.

DPI will use its federal grants portal, WISEgrants, as the platform to distribute these funds to school districts.

Additional Funding for Library Services: the CARES Act also provided funding for the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Wisconsin will receive $526,106. DPI intends to pass through the additional funds to public libraries.

Update on Safer at Home Strike Down; Future COIVD-19 State Plans

After Wednesday’s Supreme Court ruling striking down the Safer at Home Order, there is no longer a statewide COVID-19 plan. However, the Court's ruling did not impact the provision closing schools for the remainder of the school year.  The Supreme Court in its ruling said it is up to lawmakers and Governor Evers’ administration to come up with a new COVID-19 plan. 

Governor Evers approved a draft scope statement from the Department of Health Services on Thursday afternoon allowing them to come up with a new COVID-19 plan using the administrative rules process. According to DHS, the proposed rule will likely include a variety of temporary measures, such as limits of gathering size, social distancing requirements and safeguards for businesses as well as a phased approach for fully reopening the economy.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Fitzgerald released a joint statement following the court's ruling saying they would be open to working with the Evers administration "to begin promulgating rules that would provide clear guidance in case COVID-19 reoccurs in a more aggressive way.” 

However, lawmakers have been clear that they do not support a plan that would shut down businesses. 

“The Badger Bounce Back Plan and any other plan that might have been out there that was a transition from the full shutdown to opening businesses up, that's behind us now, that's over with — the court resolved that," Senate Majority Leader Fitzgerald said following a Thursday meeting with Governor Evers and Assembly Speaker Vos.

Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke (R-Kaukauna) said decisions should be made at a local level, “If anything like that were to occur, it certainly wouldn’t be on a statewide basis.”