Weekly Insider, August 3, 2020

AUGUST 3, 2020

LAWMAKER PRESS RELEASE

GROWING INDICATIONS GOVERNOR EVERS WILL PROHIBIT IN-PERSON CLASSES STATEWIDE

Nass: Emergency Declaration was not about face masks – Governor going after reopening of public and private school buildings.

Senator Steve Nass (R-Whitewater) raised alarm bells today that there are growing indications from education sources that Governor Evers will use his Emergency Public Health Declaration (Executive Order 82) to prohibit schools, public and private, from starting the year with in-person classes. Governor Evers’ has been under pressure from the leadership of various teachers’ unions to take away local control on how schools will operate at the beginning of the school year in September. Many public school districts and private schools had indicated they would be conducting in-person classes in various formats.

“I have been hearing from education sources that Governor Evers will act within days to prohibit in-person classes at the start of this school year. As I feared, Governor Evers and DHS Secretary-Designee Palm are using the illegal emergency declaration to achieve another political objective for their allies in certain Wisconsin teachers’ unions. The mandatory face mask order was nothing more than political cover for the real purpose of the Governor issuing an illegal emergency declaration – keeping public and private school buildings from reopening in September,” Nass said.

Nass noted that the Wisconsin Department of Health Services has been caught using dramatically flawed data as more than 30,000 (and growing) Covid-19 negative test results had not been included in state data since June. The failure to include dramatic numbers of negative results artificially increases the positivity rates and gives a skewed picture of Covid-19 spread in the state. The skewed data was used by Evers to justify his issuance of the emergency declaration that allows for public health orders such as mandatory face masks and soon keeping school buildings closed.

“The Legislature has the power to stop Evers and Palm from doing more damage under the illegal state of emergency. Failure to act by either house would make the Legislature complicit in empowering Evers and Palm, two of the most untrustworthy people to serve in state government, in my opinion,” Nass said.

-End

NEWS FROM THE CAPITOL AND AROUND WISCONSIN

GOV. EVERS ISSUES EMERGENCY DECLARATION AND MASK MANDATE, SENATE LEADER HINTS AT OVERTURNING

Governor Tony Evers last week officially issued a public health emergency in Wisconsin, similar to the order that allowed him to issue his so-called "Safer at Home" order in March. With the state being under a health emergency, Evers was then allowed to issue an "emergency order," mandating that citizens cover their faces indoors with few exceptions.

Evers today told reporters that large corporations in Wisconsin back his decision, and that should Republicans convene a special session of the legislature to overturn the emergency order, the health of the state's residents would be put in danger.

There are two conflicting views, however, that perhaps only the State Supreme Court will be able to decide: whether or not Evers had the authority to issue a public health emergency in Wisconsin.

Under the law, the state's governor can issue a public health emergency that can last no longer than 60 days. Evers issued a public health emergency in March, and it expired in May. To extend the emergency, the legislature must convene and approve the extension. That did not happen. Evers claims that due to a surge in the sheer number of cases (caused by a massive increase in testing), the state is experiencing a new different emergency than that which he declared in March. Others argue, however, that the state is experiencing the same pandemic, therefore the same emergency, and he had no authority to issue the new order or the subsequent mask mandate.

Another question remains, as well: will the Wisconsin Legislature convene to nullify the public health emergency declaration, therefore striking down the mask mandate?

On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) said the State Senate "stands ready" to convene. Meanwhile in the Assembly, Speaker Robin Vos said he believes there will be citizen groups that challenge the mask order in court, but did not address the possibility of calling his chamber back to override Evers' declaration.

That did not stop Republican members of the Assembly, however, from calling on Vos to convene a special session. Representatives Mary Felzkowski, Rob Stafsholt, Timothy Ramthun, among many others, issued public statements slamming Governor Evers for overstepping his constitutional authority. It remains to be seen whether or not Assembly Speaker Robin Vos will take action.

WI ATTORNEY GENERAL JOSH KAUL JOINS LAWSUIT AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP'S MOVE TO EXCLUDE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CONGRESSIONAL APPORTIONMENT

Attorney General Josh Kaul, on behalf of the citizens of Wisconsin, joined a coalition of states, cities, and counties in filing a lawsuit against President Donald Trump today, opposing the President's plan to exclude undocumented immigrants from being included in congressional apportionment.

In other words, Attorney General Josh Kaul believes that individuals who are in the United States without documentation should have representation in Congress. In his statement today, Kaul cited his interpretation of the U.S. Constitution:

The Fourteenth Amendment clearly states that “Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State…” The framers of the Fourteenth Amendment deliberately chose the phrase “whole number of persons” to refer to all persons living in each state — including the entire immigrant population.

The White House, however, in its "Memorandum on Excluding Illegal Aliens From the Apportionment Base Following the 2020 Census" interpreted the Fourteenth Amendment differently:

The Constitution does not specifically define which persons must be included in the apportionment base. Although the Constitution requires the “persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed,” to be enumerated in the census, that requirement has never been understood to include in the apportionment base every individual physically present within a State’s boundaries at the time of the census. Instead, the term “persons in each State” has been interpreted to mean that only the “inhabitants” of each State should be included. Determining which persons should be considered “inhabitants” for the purpose of apportionment requires the exercise of judgment.

Where do you stand? Tell us in this week's member poll.

LEFT WING JUDGE SWORN IN TO WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT

There is one thing abundantly clear after seeing Judge Jill Karofsky sworn in to the Wisconsin Supreme Court: nothing will get in the way of her exercise -- not even being sworn in to the highest court in the State of Wisconsin.

Left wing Dane County Judge Jill Karofsky was sworn in to the Wisconsin Supreme Court on Saturday, after she stopped in the middle of a 100-mile marathon to take the oath of office in a field somewhere as former Democrat Governor Jim Doyle looked on. Karofsky was sworn in by fellow Justice Rebecca Dallet.

Karofsky - whose campaign was funded in-part by Planned Parenthood, labor unions, and a new electioneering group called A Better Wisconsin Together - narrow's the high court's conservative majority to 4-3.

Justice Karofsky said that, while some people might disagree with her decisions, she will never let her personal beliefs influence her decisions. She is set to hear arguments on a case that would purge 130,000 voters from the election rolls who did not respond to a mandatory mailing from the Wisconsin Elections Commission.

CHICAGO: IF YOU TRAVEL TO WISCONSIN, YOU MUST QUARANTINE FOR TWO WEEKS

Wisconsin has officially been added to Chicago's "quarantine list," or places where people must self-isolate for two weeks after visiting. That list now consists of nearly half of the country.

Commuters are not required to go into quarantine, but were told not to partake in any social activities in Chicago outside of work.

Southern Wisconsin communities are a "hot spot" for tourism activities, particularly for residents of Chicago and Northern Illinois. Business owners in the area are already worried that the new edict will impact their already-destroyed revenues due to Governor Evers' shutdown of the Wisconsin economy.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot, whose city is experiencing unprecedented and historic levels of violent crime, said her Chicago is faring well compared to places like Wisconsin because her decisions have been very prudent.

WEEKLY INITIAL UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS

Weekly Unemployment Insurance Claims:

Sunday, 2800 (2020) vs. 430 (2019)

Monday, 4473 (2020) vs. 885 (2019)

Tuesday 2972 (2020) vs. 621 (2019)

Wednesday 2549 (2020) vs. 549 (2019)

Thursday 2203 (2020) vs. 517 (2019)

Friday 2115 (2020) vs. 591 (2019)

Saturday 560 (2020) vs. 124 (2019)

Up-to-date information can be viewed by clicking here.

WEEKLY MEMBER POLL

Click here to take this week's poll

By clicking the link, you acknowledge that it is the policy of WPT to publish all comments that are submitted by members each week, which often include broad differences of opinion. WPT does not take responsibility for the individual views and opinions expressed herein. It is the right of WPT to remove responses that that the organization deems inappropriate.

WEEKLY MEMBER POLL RESULTS

Were you aware that in many cases, a large backlog of unreported "negative" COVID tests results might be skewing the "positive" rates around the state?

Yes

YES!

I feel some of this is on purpose so the numbers look worse than they are. Now look we all have to wear masks outside of homes, I do not like this, the pandemic will magically disappear on November 4th I have seen posts on social media stating the under or lag time of reporting, but someone always comes forward and states the post in not fact....hard to know what to believe any longer

Yes! This is unbelievable! I am irate.

Maybe Sen. Nass and the GOP leadership in the statehouse should work bipartisanly with the governor to find solutions with the unprecedant problems with Covid-19 intead if sniping at state agencies. He's just another political hack!

There should not any backlogs, and Senator Nass should find why there are backlogs.

Yes, there should be more transparency. You can't believe anything you see or here about this Covid virus

I agree.

Uh, yes. Is there even a question?

absolutely, we have a right to know what the actual percentages are

Absolutely. All government reporting should be transparent.

just shows that the media is trying to scare people into being sheep

Did you ever see government figures get it right

I think that the adminstration and the press have done a good job of hiding the truth. If the press took their job seriously they would have monitored this, asked questions, and reported it.

Agree? It should be a mandate!

covid is a joke...

Obviously yes.

Yes -- absolutely

yes definitely,I believe that some people are deliberately trying to make this Covid thing worse than what it is!

It begs the question; if this really isn’t as bad as they’re making us believe, why are they doing this? Election year? Sad these people would kill our economy just to scare people into obedience and submission. Actually not sad, very scary.

I did know that 1 person has the potential of being counted numerous times, only if positive of course

More fudged numbers

After reading the article, what do you think of Governor Evers' "North Star Values" that state departments are directed to use when identifying spending cuts?

Just more PR to make us think they care

I am always all about spending cuts in our govt.

Platitudes. Another nothing burger.

Not sure what that all means. Do the departments know what that means!?!

I find it hilarious that a man who is ramming through extra funding left and right without approval gets praise for asking for cuts elsewhere. Why doesn't he quit giving raises and other dumb stuff to his cronies instead? That'd be another 250million.

sounds like a bunch of political mumbo jumbo

I do not understand what that means

The values sound good but how they are applied will be what matters.

would be a novel idea for government to use 'values' to such a degree

I can not believe that Gov. Evers is willing to cut expenses

There is very little actionable items listed. Identify cost saving, then what?

I don't trust anything he says.

Hmm, 2 billion short on tax revenue in four months. How about calling it "Living within our means values?" Now that has value.

Political grandstanding........

It is mush

What does this crap even mean? The North Star values? How about Wisconsin values? What an imbecile. That guy hasn’t worked a day in his life, and I’m supposed to believe his priorities are the same as mine?

All talk no action

but what's with north star? Are we in Minnesota?

I don't even understand what he is saying. Seems very vague

Multiple police departments are withdrawing from their agreements to assist with security at the DNC in Milwaukee. After reading the article: Good move or bad move?

If they are being "handcuffed" as to how to do their jobs then they should withdraw. I would

GREAT move!

I totally understand, and if you like what you see, this is what democrats will give us!

If they are going to handcuff the police, then the police should withdraw.

I think it should be cancel like every thing else is doing,, bringing in more covid into our state or giving it to the Democrats.

The dems don't need the police, isn't that what I've been hearing since George Flyod. They should be able to protect themselves.

Good move for departments withdrawing.

They need to be able to protect citizens and themselves

I think that puts the police in a very dangerous situation.

there won't be an in person convention anyway

I think it's fair. You threaten to defund the police because of a tiny handful of bad apples you should deserve no protection.

Defund the Police that's what you get.... no one to serve and protect (period) Now deal with it!

police need tools to keep things peaceful, they need to have non lethal weapons?

Our police and fire fighters should not be put at risk without proper defensive tools available to them. Allowing "protesters" (criminals) to use any weapons and means of destruction is unbelieveabley wrong. What are these mayors thinking of? Would they allow this destruciton to their own homes, property and family members?

understand excessive force should not be used, but to take away effective tools for law enforcement to use is counter productive. let them use nonlethal options to keep the peace

I know a policemen who early this spring was asked to go to the DNC and was not happy to go because of crime situation there

Police have to be able to protect themselves as well as the citizens

In uniform or not a man has the right to defend himself in course of maintaining the peace. Furthor, making an anouncement of stand down places law enforcement at significant disadvantge.

Defund the Democrates

They would have to stop rioters with one hand tied behind their back.Mi;lwaukee Fire and Police Commission is nuts.Send them out there.but maybe some of them would help the rioters..

Keep tools available to police

If they can't use the tools they need -- back out

Excellent choice.

Democrat ideology is killing this great State and Country

They should not be put in potential harms way, to provide security to a political event no less, without being able to protect themselves.

Major League Baseball has begun playing its scaled-back season, and the NBA will restart their season on July 30. Do you plan to watch sports in their new formats? Are you glad they are coming back? Has the back-and-forth turned you off to pro-sports for the remainder of the season? Share your thoughts here.

All pro sports are an entertainment business first. I watch if I can and don't get to excited either way

I will watch the Bucks play.... baseball not so much. I believe there are many people who will watch sports no matter what the format. They are feeling deprived.

Bob Euchre, need I say more

The anti-American groups have ruined almost all sports. I will refuse to watch any sport that has been politicized. Thank God for the players trying to fight against this.

Yes I watch baseball, good to have it back.

I am boycotting all professional sports, I do not agree with their support of BLM. This group is not about blacks lives unfortunately, its a liberal group trying to divide our country further! When I go to my job, I do not step on my soap box and proclaim the way I feel about politics or social issues, I wish the billionaires and millionaires would just do the same.

Don't care.

No!

I don't watch sports.. Im glad they are coming back, for the people that do watch.

I'm not watching or listening to pro sports as long as they are kneeling and holding a black rope during the national anthem.

When pro sports becomes less political again maybe I will consider watching again. Otherwise I seem to have a lot of free time on my hands.

Not a MLB or NBA fan. prefer NFL and NASCAR.

If they kneel I am done. I am done with NFL because they have no respect for our country or flag where they make millions.

no more pro-sports they are an embarrassment to adult respect and behavior !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glad to watch sports. I was getting sick of watching old games.

No, No, No - I would be glad if they never came back. Don't miss it at all.

We as a country put too much emphasis on sports. To me it just another "big corporate" business. If we only cared half as much about the arts.

Do not watch much sports myself but it is great for those who do. Bad enough for people to be stuck at home. Everyone needs something to look forward to. We need everyone back to work, back to living their lives, including athletes.

I am not planning to watch the NBA this year...too much politically motivated things going on there.

I used to be a fanatic for professional sports, especially the Packers. I no longer care.

If they wish to push politics then I am tuning them out. Then lets see how the money or lack of it changes their tune.

I won't watch any more professional sports. They need to stick with playing sports and not put the world in a turmoil with all their kneeling and not kneeling, promoting a higher agenda.

Shut it down.

I don’t plan on watching or going to any pro sports in the future

This virus is real but it is politically motivated by the Democrats and their willing members of the media. If pro sports support BLM which is a Marxist group I am done with pro sports and will sell or give away my Packer stock

Would love too, but dish network has removed about every sport channel I have and now some local channels! No price drop of course

I will never watch any sports program that plays the Black National Anthem or disrespects the American Flag in any way

I would like to watch sports,but I dread all of the political crap that will be coming along with them.

Looking forward to the return of professional sports! Go Pack Go!

Will watch/listen. Hope NFL comes back.

Not going to watch . I've kind of gotten used to no sports. Life goes on.

I won’t be preached at by millionaires about their social agenda. These people get played to throw, dribble, hit, catch, or defend a ball. Do that and shut the hell up. Or better yet, take your salaries and start putting your money where your mouth is.

It will hopefully boost morale in this messed up time

I will no longer watch professional sports because of their pandering to the radical left

We only watch baseball anymore. The protesting during our national anthems and back and forth politics is a huge turn off for us.