Weekly Insider, November 30, 2020

NOVEMBER 30, 2020

NEWS FROM THE CAPITOL AND AROUND WISCONSIN

RACINE IGNORES SUPREME COURT ORDER, GROUP FILES EMERGENCY CONTEMPT MOTION

Last week, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued a temporary injunction, blocking the City of Racine's school closure order before it could go into effect on November 27th. The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL) filed the original action on behalf of a group of parents, schools, and membership associations. The case will be put on hold pending the high court's decision in WCRIS v. Heinrich, a similar legal challenge against Dane County's school closure order.

Despite the court's injunction last week, the unelected City of Racine Public Health Administrator instructed all school, within the city limits, to remain closed for in-person learning.

Today, the WILL asked the Court to hold the public health administrator and her department in contemprt and impose monetary sanctions designed to ensure their compliance with the Court's order. This would include a forfeiture of up to $2,000 per day and compensation for the Petitioner schools and parents harmed by the administrator's actions, according to WILL.

"Wisconsin Supreme Court orders are neither optional or advisory," said WILL President and General Counsel Rick Esenberg. "We expect the City of Racine to immediately allow schools to open or face sanctions from the Court."

There has been no statement from the City of Racine or the public health administrator.

DWD: OCTOBER LOCAL EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT DATA RELEASED

The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) released the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates of unemployment and employment statistics for Wisconsin metropolitan areas, major cities, and counties in Wisconsin for October 2020.

In brief, the non-seasonally adjusted data for Wisconsin shows:

Preliminary October 2020 unemployment rates increased in all of Wisconsin's 12 metro areas over for month. The largest increase of 0.5 percent occurred in the Oshkosh-Neenah and Racine metro areas.
Preliminary October 2020 unemployment rates decreased in three of Wisconsin's 34 largest cities over the month. The largest decrease of 0.8 percent occurred in the city of Superior.
Preliminary October 2020 unemployment rates decline din eight of Wisconsin's 72 counties over the month. The largest decrease of 0.6 percent occurred in Douglas County. Price County's unemployment rate declined 0.1 percent of October 2019.

More data can accessed at WisConomy.com.

FOXCONN PLANS APPEAR TO BE CHANGING...AGAIN

Despite their original plans to create a "Gen 10" factory to create liquid displays, and then changing those plans to create smaller displays, project director for Chinese corporation Foxconn told a City of Racine commission last week that the company's most recent plans are "on hold" indefinitely, or at least through the pandemic.

Last month, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation told Foxconn that it would need to come back to the negotiating table with the State of Wisconsin if it wanted to continue receiving tax credits. The company has met virtually none of the job creation benchmarks that it were required for the company to uphold its end of the deal with the state.

By the end of 2019, Foxconn was supposed to have created at least 2,080 jobs and have spent more than $3.3 billion in capital expenditures.

WEDC: WE'RE ALL IN FOR SHOPPING LOCAL

As the holiday shopping season picks up, citizens, businesses, and state and local leaders are declaring "We're All In" for shopping local to keep Wisconsin businesses and communities strong.

"The holiday shopping season is a great time to remember how important our local businesses are, whether it's that special bakery, gift shop or restaurant, and what they mean to our communities," said WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes. "While the COVID-19 pandemic may be changing the way we shop this year, our local stores have found creative ways to still connect with customers."

One of those ways is through WEDC's Main Street Marketplace- an online retail portal where Wisconsin small businesses and consumers can connect.

WPT members can connect their small business to the WEDC Main Street Marketplace by clicking here.

STATE GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN ENCOURAGING WISCONSINITES TO ENTER HEALTH CARE FIELD

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Department of Safety and Professional Services, and the Department of Workforce Development last week announced the launch of WisHealth Careers, a multimedia campaign to encourage Wisconsinites across the state to enter the health care field.

According to a release from DHS, the shortage of health care, long-term care, and residential care staff in Wisconsin has been growing, and the onset of COVID-19 has only compounded circumstances. DHS says it has developed several emergency training options to respond to the unprecedented need for additional staff to join the workforce.

"These opportunities are available to people of all ages and backgrounds who want to start rewarding careers in health care and make a difference in their own communities," the statement said.

Anyone interested in pursuing a career as a home health aide, nursing assistant, registered nurse, or other health care professional can visit the Job Center of Wisconsin to find job postings in their communities. Employers wishing to post their open health care positions on the portal must first register on the site. Detailed instructions on registering and posting positions on the Job Center of Wisconsin are available on the help page.

SPEAKER VOS AND LIBERAL CONGRESSMAN MARK POCAN TEAM UP FOR 'STOP THE COVID SPREAD' AD

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Congressman Mark Pocan (D-Black Earth) have teamed up in an advertisement released by the Stop the COVID Spread coalition of community, business, and other groups.

Speaker Vos acknowledges in the ad that there are obvious political differences between people, then goes on to urge people to "always wear a mask, Wisconsin." Vos also says that Wisconsinites should wash their hands and always practice social distancing.

"We can still live our lives and be sensible and safe."

You can view the ad here.

WEEKLY INITIAL UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS: WEEK 48; DWD MAKING 'HEADWAY' IN BACKLOG

Interim Secretary of the Department of Workforce Development Amy Pechacek says the department is making headway in their backlog of unpaid unemployment insurance benefits. Some people have been waiting since March to receive a payment from the state government.

DWD is partnering with Google Analytics and has hired additional staff. Pechacek's goal is to see the backlog "under control" by the end of the year. There are currently over 70,000 Wisconsinites still waiting.

Weekly Unemployment Insurance Claims:

Sunday, 2,713 (2020) vs. 1,084 (2019)

Monday, 5,301 (2020) vs. 2,308 (2019)

Tuesday 3,429 (2020) vs. 1,491 (2019)

Wednesday 2,877 (2020) vs.1,431 (2019)

Thursday 894 (2020) vs. 360 (2019)

Friday 2,258 (2020) vs. 1,231 (2019)

Saturday 974 (2020) vs. 457 (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 AgAlert

Midweek Moment

WEEKLY POLL RESULTS

Overall, do you support or oppose Evers' COVID-19 response plan?

He's finally now starting to meet with Legislators.

Whats not to support? ya know, the repubs plan....oh, wait they don't have one...

be sure some people aren't taking advantage of "unemployment" Small businesses need to stay safely open, no suing for covid

He and his team are idiots.

Too lengthy to list them all but the eviction ban is crazy thinking. How does Evers figure landlords can have non-paying tenants without the option of eviction open to them?

Gov. Evers likes to waste Federal money on things that are not really important instead of trying to help the citizens of this State

mask mandate, limiting people inside

need to support small businesses against frivolous law suits

His constant fear mongering and over control of selective businesses.

Don't trust Ever's actions.

From the increase in Covid numbers, masks are not working. Some of us cannot wear masks due to health reasons, and are "shamed" because of this. Social distancing seems to make a slight difference, however the stay at home order and closing non essential businesses is/was a disaster. It simply managed to permanently close numerous businesses. My business cannot afford another shut down

There is no stopping a virus! It will run it's course. Open the state so we are not completely financially crushed. Not too mention the emotional toll on both adults as well as children. I could go on and on but basically all restrictions need to be lifted!

Dumb as ever, Evers.

Makes sense. Small businesses getting destroyed and may never come back.

When thinking about COVID-19, what has been the biggest challenge to you, your business or farm? (Shut-downs and government health orders? The virus itself? Costly mitigation steps?)

The strain on a great economy.

The biggest challenge is the ignoramuses who keep spreading this crap around! Put a damn mask on!!

I'm in the meeting people business and it's not easy to establish new relationships on phone/video.

Almost everything the Democrats are proposing! Pathetic no nothings

shut downs, health orders, HOW CAN THE NURSING HOMES, ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES SHUT OUT ALL FAMILY MEMBERS,MAKING THE RESIDENTS PRISONERS AND FAMILY UNABLE TO CHECK ON THEIR CARE? HOW MANY DEATHS WERE BECAUSE OF POOR CARE?

The biggest challenge has been to watch as sheeple blindly willingly accept that this is a pandemic. ITS A SCAM!!

The virus as well as government shut downs. Who puts in their business plans that the government can shut down or severely limit their ability to do business with the stroke of a pen and no direct and immediate compensation.

shutdowns, government health orders and the virus

Our business was closed for 7 weeks (we were able to take online sales, ship orders, and provide curbside pickup, but it was a scary time). When the shutdown ended, we quickly rebounded and made up for lost revenue. The biggest challenge is stress - I'm concerned that if my small staff becomes ill, we will be unable to operate. My uncle has been hospitalized for a month, has been on a ventilator for the past week, and is not improving. It's easy to dismiss the human toll of this virus, but when someone you love is affected, it's a reality check.

shut downs affecting the businesses we provide services to so they do not need our services

emotional stress and frustration with the mixed messages and particularly the lack of input from the public being affected by the mandatory restrictions

The virus itself

People not able to properly self govern themselves. IE they are coming in or having us come to them while they are ill, and many who are doing this aren't getting tested at all.

This second big wave is turning out to be worse than the first and they may actually shut us down. We had PPE and EIDL in the beginning, but now what is there to help us?

social isolation - people aren't getting out to spend money in small businesses and it's affecting not only the economy but mental health

Government health orders.

shut downs and government intervention

In farming everything has gotten too big, from farms to things like meat processing, milk processing, etc. There are fewer and fewer choices and when the flow is disrupted everyone suffers.

People believing that COVID-19 is fake and politicizing it.

The government deciding to destroy small business and give a pass to big business. If any business can be open, then all businesses can be open!

Selective shutdowns. Big box stores can stay open, small businesses shut down or severely limited.

I'm retired so staying safe is my concern.

The numbers do not add up. Restrictions have been in place for 9 months Masking does not help. Mostly pushed by Dem Govs

shut downs

Getting customers to comply

Shut down of schools and public activities.

Watching small business suffer while Walmart, Costco and Amazon are all doing so well.

Shut-downs

Shut downs caused the greatest damage. The clients simply are not coming back with any regularity. I did not qualify for the PPP and had to lay off the employees, who waited nearly 8 weeks to receive their unemployment. When we were allowed to re-open, I had to cut back on the hours of operation. It is simply a lose/lose situation.

Finding help that shall not abuse the rules of two weeks off.

The loss of revenue, expensive mitigation requirements and the additional stresses put on myself and my employees as we try to educate our children.

Listening to the misguided messages from the corrupt left media.

Down 40%. People afraid to come in. or will not wear masks.

The virus. I have to where a mask around my associates. I have no problem doing this!

Wearing a mask when no should tell what I can and cannot wear

the virus itself

Do you generally think the state has done enough to combat COVID-19?

I'm not sure if anything the state or feds have done had helped

I just think our state is us vs them and no one will meet in the middle or meet at all.

follow Evers plan. I dont care which one, any of them is better than now...

Aside from making sure PPE is available and distributing equitably federal financial relief to businesses the state government should have have a role. I get my medical advice from my doctor and local health department.

Gov. Evers hasn't help the situation and people don't practice sense to the virus

We need more restrictions to prevent the spread; nobody needs to be hanging out in bars, or packed into malls, or going to large holiday parties or church services. Wisconsin continues to make the national news - and not in a good way - we must do more to reduce the spread.

too much - let people decide if the risk is worth doing what they want

too much at times

I feel that the Government gets enough money from us all the time to make it so that even if we have no work for months, our incomes could be safe during that time. I think this whole thing has been radically and horribly mis-handled.

The legislature needs to get with the program and look at this as a MEDICAL emergency, not a damn partisan issue!!!

let businesses run as they see fit - people will go out as they are comfortable and healthy

Too bad they couldn't unify the state in fighting a pandemic, had to play politics which shouldn't surprise anyone.

they have done too much and are not following the science

State making many ridiculous orders to control the public.

The mask mandate and telling people to stay home and not enjoy holidays together is ridiculous. Also our nursing home patients are dying of loneliness. Let their families see them.

I believe a lot of scare tactics have been used to try to control this situation. The numbers of cases have NOT been clarified by the media and personally I believe they are over-inflated.

State actions have turned this economy into a dumpster fire.

Steady as she goes.

They may try but people to stupid to follow guidelines.

Legislators have sat on their hands till this past week. Look at the intensive care units and deaths. Discusting!!!

DATCP says invasive pests might hurt your evergreen Christmas decorations. Do you buy your tree, wreaths, etc, locally?

Din't buy a natural tree or wreath

Never had a problem

Use an artificial tree

artificial decorations

No, we had to buy a artificial tree because our fireplace dries the tree out.

We have a fake tree

not that I know of

I have a fake tree

We have an artificial tree

Never had a problem with plastic tree bugs

Never.

No I have not

In a year seemingly full of sadness and bad news, what is one thing you are thankful for this year? We wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving. No matter your plans, we hope you have a safe and happy holiday.

Trump will be GONE.

Good health so far

Thankful my business is doing well and I aint dead...

With a leftist in the White House, more Republicans will win gubernatorial races in 2022, so Evers will be one and done. That's just how midterms work. Silver lining of the the showboat in chief being robbed of reelection. Also happy the redrawing of the maps will be controlled by a Republican legislature again.

I'm thankful that I'm in a business that has had limited negative impact, very blessed.

My 2 Grandbabies!

we have the ability to attend outdoor church services

I am thankful for Wisconsin Property Taxpayers Inc.!!!! (Thank you!)

That we are still alive as are all in our family.

My personal health and the blessing of the health of all my family and that the Lord continue to protect us.

And to you.

thankful for my friends and family

I'm thankful that my family is happy and healthy. (Grandkids would rather by IN school.) Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

It has been a surprisingly profitable year for my business.

I am thankful that my immediate family is still on the top side of the sod.

thankful my family has been working thru this whole ordeal, that we all continue to have our health

HUM BUG

My family. Which we all be together for Thanksgiving, just as we were for Easter and even a big wedding with no MASKS!!

I have gotten away from mainline news sources programming. Keep it real or shut it off.

Family.

families health

We will have everyone in our immediate family here for Thanksgiving.

Grateful for my family.

That my family and friends are safe and healthy. Iw I'll not be sad to see the year 2020 leave......things can only get better. Hope and faith will get us through.

We live in the greatest free nation in the world.

I am thankful for my friends and family's health. Everyone that I personally know has gotten covid-19 has had mild symptoms.

Toughest question and have no good answer.

Blessed to be alive and have incredible family and friends so supportive during these trying times.

A cure to b covid-19