Dear Friends,

I hope you are well. As you can see from the data below, our state is seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases. We are also seeing a rise in the number of people seeking emergency treatment and hospitalizations from the coronavirus. According to a White House report, officials believe people are not being careful. So please be careful and continue to follow CDC guidelines, wear a mask, social distance, and wash your hands.

A Wisconsin judge temporarily halted Governor Evers' 25% capacity limits on bars, restaurants, and businesses. Small businesses are really suffering during the pandemic. I'm happy to report that there is another $50 million in grants available to small businesses. Applications will be accepted starting Monday, October 19th. Also, if you are able, support our great local businesses.

Congratulations to Jacob Yasonik of Mequon. He earned a $50,000 scholarship from the Davidson Fellows Scholarship Program for his project that shows how artificial intelligence can be used in drug development. Jacob certainly has a bright future ahead of him!

Also, Congratulations to MuL Technologies in Mequon! Their Mobile Autonomous Robotic Cart is the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin. MuL Technologies beat out 150 entries to take the top prize in the annual Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce contest.

As always, if you have any concerns or ideas on how to improve our great state, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone at 608-266-5830 or by email at Sen.Darling@legis.wisconsin.gov.

On, Wisconsin!

Wisconsin is one of the best states for health care and I have worked to keep it that way. This session, I co-authored and supported legislation to protect pre-existing conditions no matter what happens at the federal level.

Recently, I was honored to be named a "Friend of Family Medicine" by the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians (WAFP). WAFP strongly supports my Step Therapy legislation which helps lower costs and protects patients.

Step therapy is a process used by health plans that determines the order in which prescription drugs should be given to patients. While the goal is to lower health care costs, it can be an obstacle between patients and the care their doctors prescribe for them.

I'm grateful for the award and happy they support this important reform that was signed into law. I will continue to find ways to increase access and lower the cost of health care for everyone living in our state.

With hospitalizations up in our state, the Wisconsin Hospitals Association is urging everyone to "double-down" on taking precautions to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Please take a moment to watch the video above to learn how you can protect yourself and others.

The table above contains data reported on October 14, 2020 from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services on coronavirus cases in our area.

According to data from the Center for Disease Control, emergency room visits for COVID-19 symptoms are around three percent.

Source: CDC COVID Data Tracker

One of the most important bills I authored that became law this session will soon be helping people turn their lives around. This week, the Council on Offender Employment held their first meeting via Zoom.

The Council is part of the the Reduce Incarceration, Secure Employment or RISE Act which I authored. The RISE Act will give people a second chance and give employers confidence in their new employees. And it will help stop the revolving door of prison.

The council will issue Certificates of Qualification for Employment (CQE) for ex-offenders who they determine are not likely to pose a risk to public safety. Those with certain offenses, particularly those involving violent or sexual crimes, will not be eligible to apply.

Regardless of the crime committed, the CQE would still not apply to certain facilities where our most vulnerable populations could be at risk, such as childcare centers or certain health care facilities. A CQE also does not apply to jobs substantially related to the applicant's crime.

I'm excited the new law will start helping people get into the workforce and on the road to prosperity.