— State and local leaders joined members of the newly launched Clean Economy Coalition of Wisconsin to underscore the urgency of Wisconsin’s clean energy transition.
Speaking yesterday at a Milwaukee event celebrating the launch of the new coalition, Gov. Tony Evers said “there’s no greater time than now” to advance the state’s goals around clean energy and sustainability. He referenced the state’s projected $7 billion surplus as well as the billions of federal dollars expected for Wisconsin from the Inflation Reduction Act.
“We don’t have to choose between mitigating climate change and protecting our environment and good-paying jobs and economic development,” Evers said. “We can and we are doing both.”
Mark Redsten, president and CEO of coalition member Clean Wisconsin, said the group was formed by organizations with a common goal of accelerating the state’s goal of reaching carbon-free electricity by 2050. Other members include RENEW Wisconsin, the state chapter of the Sierra Club, Wisconsin Conservation Voters, Walnut Way Conservation Corp., Action for the Climate Emergency and more.
“The work the coalition is setting out to do isn’t just focused on protecting our built and native landscapes or enabling Wisconsin’s energy independence,” Redsten said. “It’s about creating new jobs for Wisconsin workers, protecting our citizens’ health and wellbeing, delivering investments in infrastructure and technology.”
Meanwhile, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson highlighted the impacts of climate change on various communities in the state. Crowley argued this issue “can and should trump all political parties,” while Johnson pointed to a recent United Nations report on the “narrowing window” for humanity to act on climate change.
The coalition has agreed on six “tenets of a clean economy” that make up its 2023 policy agenda, which will guide members’ advocacy and other efforts. These include: a healthy economy; environmental justice and infrastructure; carbon-free power; home and building repair; thriving landscapes; and next-gen transportation.
As part of the home and building repair pillar, members aim to achieve 100 percent carbon-free new residential and commercial buildings by 2030, and a 50 percent reduction of building sector energy use by 2030. Related efforts will seek to phase out natural gas use in existing homes and businesses, reduce energy burden on low-income households and more.
Members also say they will work toward making the transition to electric vehicles “effective, easy and equitable,” with a stated goal of more than 50 percent of new car sales being EVs by 2030.
As part of its policy efforts, the coalition also says it’s working with the Wisconsin Local Government Climate Coalition, which represents more than a dozen communities around the state with more than 1.8 million collective residents.
See more on the Clean Economy Coalition of Wisconsin here: https://cleaneconomywi.com/
See a recent story on the local government climate group: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/local-governments-band-together-on-climate-issues/
See Evers’ release on the coalition launching: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WIGOV/bulletins/3517f17
— A bill to extend postpartum Medical Assistance coverage to one year drew broad support during a public hearing.
The bill would extend postpartum Medical Assistance benefits to one year, an increase for the current 60-day coverage. So far, 30 states have taken advantage of a provision in the American Rescue Plan Act that allows them to expand Medicaid coverage, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Assembly author Rep. Donna Rozar during yesterday’s public comment period sought to dispel complaints the measure would expand entitlements.
“And I will say that is indeed true,” the Marshfield Republican said. “But I would like for us not to think of it as an entitlement extension, but I’d like to think of it as an investment in future constituents and present constituents.”
The registered nurse added that she is “proudly pro-life.”
“And this should be part of a pro-life package where we take care of the babies that we don’t want it to be aborted,” she said. “And so the best way to have healthy babies is to have healthy mothers.”
The committee’s only two Dems, Sens. Lena Taylor, of Milwaukee, and Brad Pfaff, of Onalaska, said they support the measure. There are 40 lobbying groups registered in favor and none registered in opposition, according to the Wisconsin Ethics Commission.
Wisconsin is one of just three states that have not expanded coverage since ARPA was passed in 2021.
Expanding MA coverage for postpartum services without expanding Medicaid coverage would cost $21.4 million, with $8.4 million of that coming from general purpose revenue, according to the Department of Health Services. If Wisconsin expanded Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act, it would cost $17.5 million, with $6 million of that coming from GPR.
See more from the hearing at WisPolitics.com: https://www.wispolitics.com/2023/wed-pm-update-baldwin-johnson-split-on-aumf-authorization-repeal
<br><b><i>Top headlines from the Health Care Report …</b></i>
— The Department of Health Services is proposing putting half of this year’s opioid settlement funds toward providing fentanyl test strips and overdose reversal treatments.
And the head of a Madison agency that provides social services to refugees and immigrants says its clients often face health challenges along with being displaced.
<i>For more of the most relevant news on COVID-19, reports on groundbreaking health research in Wisconsin, links to top stories and more, sign up today for the free daily Health Care Report from WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com.</i>
Sign up here: http://forms.gle/o8FtqTLviGJPja8C9
#TOP STORIES#
# Baby boomer retirements could exacerbate Wisconsin’s health care labor shortage
# Milwaukee Brewers’ valuation rises sharply. Where it ranks in MLB now.
# High child care costs, low availability leads to smaller Wisconsin families
#TOPICS#
# AGRIBUSINESS
– Farm Technology Days announces scholarship recipients
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=380&yr=2023
– Wisconsin lawmakers approve settlement with factory farm
# CONSTRUCTION
– Chase Tower, one of downtown’s oldest office towers, getting makeover
– Milwaukee’s Chase Tower getting millions of dollars in upgrades
# EDUCATION
– MMSD staff cut will hurt Operation Fresh Start students, leader says
– At Carmen Northwest: a student death, staff exodus and quashed protest
# ENVIRONMENT
– Protect valuable ash trees against emerald ash borer
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=381&yr=2023
– Average ice cover on the Great Lakes this year ties for third-lowest on record
# FOOD AND BEVERAGE
– Lupi & Iris, Amilinda’s León advance in James Beard awards program
– Raising Cane’s planning location in Greendale
– Three Madison chefs nominated for 2023 James Beard Awards
– Grande Cheese acquires former Chilton cheese plant
# LEGAL
– Mequon man who owned local pharmacies sentenced after paying health care kickbacks
# POLITICS
– Tranel and Marklein introduce Wisconsin Ag Road Improvement Program
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=379&yr=2023
– Gov. Evers proposes $10 million for clean energy initiatives in state tour
# SPORTS
– World-class sprinter charts his path from small Wisconsin town to Olympic medalist
# TOURISM
– Sale deal signed for hotel that Eau Claire worked to shut down
# TRANSPORTATION
– These Milwaukee-area female pilots are encouraging more females to pursue aviation careers
– Plan to raze I-794 bridges to open up land raises downtown access concerns
# COLUMNS
– Opinion: Medicare Advantage just keeps giving — to insurers
# PRESS RELEASES
<i>See these and other press releases:
https://www.wisbusiness.com/press-releases/ </i>
Grande Cheese Company: Announces the acquisition of the cheese plant in Chilton, Wisconsin
