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This Memorial Day, we honor those that have died in the line of service to our country. Please make sure you, if you are able, to attend a service over the weekend and visit a memorial. It is always a sobering reminder that the freedom we have comes at significant cost. Please note that the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs says there will be no public events at the state's veterans cemeteries due to COVID-19, but that cemeteries will still be open to the public from sunrise to sunset. I disagree with them and think this is disrespectful and should be left to each person or group to determine on their own, and I have a feeling most vets would feel the same.
As we welcome the unofficial start of summer this weekend, I hope you enjoy time spent with family and friends and have a safe trip if traveling across Wisconsin.
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DWD Failing To Meet Unemployment Demands
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I have been receiving an unbelievable amount of contacts from distraught taxpayers who have been waiting up to two months to speak with someone at DWD regarding their unemployment claims. That is inexcusable. More than 675,000 claims statewide have remained unpaid. My office has heard from over 100 constituents who are having trouble receiving their benefits, let alone have the opportunity to actually get through to someone at DWD to talk about their case. Only 11 of those cases have been resolved.
Please check out the WTMJ4 news story I was interviewed for regarding Unemployment Insurance: https://tinyurl.com/y7j5boq4
Also, I am a member of the Senate Labor and Regulatory Reform Committee. We are holding a public hearing Wednesday on the current status of the Unemployment Insurance program and will be looking for answers from DWD Secretary Caleb Frostman. We will also be focusing on:
- The challenges facing and stability of the Unemployment Insurance Program.
- The significant difficulties being encountered by citizens applying for and receiving Unemployment Insurance benefits.
- The Department of Workforce Development's response to the issues being encountered by citizens applying for and receiving Unemployment Insurance benefits.
- Trends and upcoming issues surrounding the transitioning of the unemployed receiving benefits back into the workforce either by return to previous employment or finding new opportunities in the economy.
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Photo courtesy Ben Schumin/Flickr
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The COVID-19 “pandemic” is slowly but surely turning into the COVID-19 fiasco. As the case continues to build that the virus isn’t much more dangerous than the common flu, we are seeing the severe over-reaction by citizens, public officials and the media.
A great example happened to my wife this past week. She was shopping in a retail setting and wasn’t wearing a mask. Another person waiting in line with a mask turned around and rudely told her in a condescending tone “masks are the new normal”. My wife simply told her “No they are not”. The cashier then agreed with my wife and said she was sick of all the people who are actually rude enough to criticize others for their choice in front of others they don’t even know.
I have no problem with private decisions people make around this issue and I have made a point to never criticize anyone to their face or in public who chooses to act in a different manner than what I see as reasonable. If you want to wear a mask, go ahead. If you don’t, don’t. But to those who are rude enough to comment to anyone else in public who is taking a different viewpoint – knock it off! And if anyone sees it happen, I want to encourage you to make sure you do as the cashier did in this case, and tell them to knock it off. We need to stop tolerating the intolerant on this issue or they are simply emboldened.
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After making the mistake of closing our parks, the Governor finally realized his mistake. All Wisconsin state park system properties will return to regular operating hours of 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week beginning tomorrow, Saturday, May 23. Properties will no longer be closed on Wednesdays. In addition, a limited number of day-use area restrooms at park properties will reopen for public use beginning Wednesday, June 3. All group, family, and indoor group campsites will remain closed through June 7. All events and shelter reservations will also be cancelled through June 7. Permit and reservation holders will be contacted and provided a full refund.
Park visitors can now purchase state park admission stickers online. An annual park sticker or trail pass is required to visit state parks and trails. Annual park stickers only, can now be purchased online. State trail and other passes can still be purchased over the phone by calling 1-888-305-0398 from 8 am to 4 pm, seven days per week. Annual passes are NOT available for purchase at individual properties. Visitors must have an annual admission sticker adhered to their vehicle or proof of purchase for entry.
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