I wanted to discuss the big news that has rocked our state—on Wednesday, the Wisconsin State Supreme Court
tossed out the Safer at Home order. I'm disappointed in my
Republican colleagues in the legislature. It's bad enough that they
would bring this lawsuit forward at taxpayers' expense during a
pandemic, but it's unconscionable that they would do so with absolutely
no plan to safely reopen the state.
Right now, the science warns that prematurely opening up could lead to
a second wave of infections, undoing the hard work and sacrifice we've
all endured over the past two months. This is especially dangerous in
our rural areas where we have limited hospital capacity and an older
population. Safer at Home has prevented so many unnecessary deaths, and
we must continue to be diligent and careful going forward.
So what does that mean for reopening? Right now, there is a lot of confusion,
but I hope that we can come together and enact a smart, safe and
proactive strategy. In the meantime, please check in with your local
county or tribal health departments on updates in your community:
For those living in counties with no
Safer at Home order, continue to do the following:
- Frequently wash your
hands.
- Clean commonly touched
surfaces.
- Maintain a distance of
at least 6 feet from other people outside your home.
- Wear a facemask if
you're out in public.
- Continue staying home
whenever possible.
- Don't travel for
nonessential purposes.
For businesses who require guidance
for safe reopening, please see the WEDC page for relief and recovery
resources.
I can't stress enough how grateful I am for the continued generosity
and cooperation across Northern Wisconsin as we weather this crisis.
Now that there isn't a statewide plan, we need to depend on each other,
common sense and a spirit of community more now than ever. Please take
care of each other.
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Unemployment
Updates and Assistance
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Here's what the Supreme Court decision
means for unemployment:
- It does not impact
applications submitted or claims pending. Benefits will be paid to
eligible claimants, even if the person returns to work before
their claim is deemed eligible.
- It does not impact
federal programs like Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation
(FPUC), Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) or Pandemic
Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC).
- It does not change work
search. Governor
Tony Evers waived work search March 12, 2020. Work
search is still considered satisfied through the end of September
2020.
- It does impact unemployment
eligibility in this way: If an employer now has work for an
employee who was laid off or furloughed and that employee refuses
to return to work, that will cause an eligibility issue that must
be adjudicated.
Unemployment benefits are available to
individuals who are totally or partially unemployed due to no fault of
their own. If the employee—not the employer—is choosing not to work,
the employee is likely not eligible for UI benefits.
However, the facts of each circumstance are important. If you have any
question about whether you are eligible for benefits, please apply.
Individuals considered ineligible for unemployment may be eligible for
PUA. For further questions on Unemployment Insurance,
please visit the DWD Frequently Asked Questions page.
Are you having trouble getting your unemployment benefits? If it
has been at least three weeks since you submitted your application and
you have not received your benefits, my office may be able to help you.
Email rep.meyers@legis.wisconsin.gov with the following
information:
- Full name
- Phone number
- Issue you want to be
resolved (i.e. When will I receive my benefits?)
- Status of your
application
- Did you apply online?
- What date did you
submit it?
- Are you awaiting a
decision on something that had to be investigated?
My staff will send this information to
the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and request that they promptly
look into your case. I understand that this is a difficult financial
time for many, and I am committed to helping you receive your benefits
in a timely manner.
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Testing Sites
in Northern Wisconsin
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Below is a list of publicly available
community testing sites throughout Northern Wisconsin. There are
ongoing efforts to expand and open new testing sites throughout the
state, so please check out the DHS testing locations
website for updates and new sites.
Price County
Prentice DNR Ranger Station, W5327 Granberg Rd, Prentice, WI
54556. Drive-thru testing available May 17th from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sawyer County
Sawyer Hayward Hospital, 10655 Nyman Ave, Hayward, WI 54843.
Drive-thru testing available on May 15th from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Oneida County
Rhinelander High School, 665 Coolidge Ave, Rhinelander, WI 54501.
Drive-thru testing available May 20th from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Lakeland Union High School, 9573 WI-70, Minocqua, WI 54548. Drive-thru
testing available May 21st from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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Starting Monday, parents now have the
option to waive road tests for their 16- and 17-year-olds who have
successfully completed all of the driver training requirements.
Eligible teens must complete a driver education class, behind-the-wheel
training with a licensed instructor, and at least 30 hours of driving
with their parent or sponsor. The waiver was put in place to cut down
on the road test backlog and is expected to remain in effect until the
end of 2020. In-person road tests will be available beginning May 26.
You can read more about this change, as well as
other efforts the DMV is taking to address the backlog demand, here.
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COVID-19
Democratic Response Plan
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This week, Legislative Democrats rolled
out our plan to continue the necessary work of helping families and
businesses in every corner of Wisconsin. While we passed legislation
that took the necessary first steps to helping those affected by
COVID-19, it simply wasn't enough.
We need to do more to address the health and economic devastation that
has happened and will continue to happen. There are things only the
legislature can do, and I for one am itching to get back to work in
Madison and advocate for the people of Northern Wisconsin. I hope my
colleagues on the other side of the aisle join us in crafting a plan to
help us recover and thrive.
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Feel free to reach out to my office
with any questions or concerns. Email me at
rep.meyers@legis.wisconsin.gov or call at (608) 266-7690.
We are all in this together, and I have great confidence that the
people of Wisconsin will rise and meet this challenge.
Be well, and thank you,
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