>> THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS A
PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL
PRODUCTION.
>> JOE BIDEN AND KAMALA HARRIS
TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE IN
WASHINGTON DURING A COLORFUL AND
PEACEFUL INAUGURATION DAY.
IN WISCONSIN, ALL REMAINED QUIET
AT THE STATE CAPITOL AFTER
PREPARATIONS FOR POSSIBLE
PROTESTS OVER THE INAUGURATION.
>> I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
TONIGHT ON "HERE AND NOW," U.S.
SENATOR TAMMY BALDWIN SPEAKS TO
THE BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION
AS WELL AS THE NEW DEMOCRATIC
MAJORITY IN THE U.S. SENATE.
MILWAUKEE COUNTY EXECUTIVE DAVID
CROWLEY LOOKS AHEAD TO
BREAKTHROUGHS IN RACIAL EQUITY.
"HERE AND NOW'S" WILL CUSHMAN
WITH THE LATEST ON THE STATE
VACCINATION PLAN.
AND POLITICAL PANELISTS MCCOSHEN
AND ROSS ARE HERE.
IT'S "HERE AND NOW" FOR JANUARY
22.
>> FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY THE
FOCUS FUND FOR JOURNALISM AND
FRIEND OF PBS WISCONSIN.
>> WEDNESDAY BROUGHT POMP AND
CIRCUMSTANCE TO THE NATION'S
CAPITOL, BUT UNDER VERY
DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES FOR
PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION.
BECAUSE OF COVID-19 AND
EXTRAORDINARY SECURITY MEASURES,
JOE BIDEN WAS SWORN IN AS THE
46TH PRESIDENT WITHOUT THE
CROWDS AND UNDER A MAJORLY
ENHANCED POLICE AND MILITARY
PROTECTION AFTER THE
INSURRECTION AT THE U.S. CAPITOL
TWO WEEKS PRIOR.
HE GOT DOWN TO WORK WITH A RAFT
OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS, INCLUDING
TEN PERTAINING TO COVID-19.
THOSE INCLUDE EASIER ACCESS TO
COVID-19 VACCINES AT LOCAL
PHARMACIES, USING THE DEFENSE
PRODUCTION ACT TO ADDRESS
VACCINE AND PPE SUPPLY
SHORTFALLS, ESTABLISHING A
COVID-19 EQUITY TASK FORCE,
REIMBURSING STATES FOR 100% OF
THE COST OF DEPLOYING NATIONAL
GUARD TROOPS AND BUTTONING DOWN
OSHA GUIDELINES FOR WORKPLACE
SAFETY.
>> THE NEW PRESIDENT SAYS HIS
PRIORITIES ARE COVID-19 AND THE
ECONOMY.
WE CHECK IN WITH U.S. SENATOR
TAMMY BALDWIN WHO ALSO FINDS HER
PARTY IN THE MAJORITY IN THE
SENATE WITH VICE PRESIDENT
KAMALA HARRIS AS THE DEMOCRATIC
TIE-BREAKER.
SENATOR, THANKS VERY MUCH FOR
BEING HERE.
>> IT'S A PLEASURE.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> SO BEFORE WE GET DOWN TO
BRASS TAX, WE'RE DOWN IN DAY
THREE OF THE BIDEN
ADMINISTRATION AND THE
DEMOCRATIC SENATE MAJORITY, ALL
ONE NOW GRAPPLING
OVERPOWER-SHARING, BUT HOW DOES
IT FEEL?
>> WELL, IT FEELS HOPEFUL.
IT FEELS LIKE A PAGE HAS TURNED
AND A NEW CHAPTER IS BEGINNING,
ESPECIALLY AS WE FIND OURSELVES
IN SO MANY CRISES AT THE SAME
TIME.
THE OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY GET TO
THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS PANDEMIC
AND GET OUR ECONOMY BACK ON
TRACK, BUT BUILDING IT BACK
BETTER, WITH GREATER EQUITY AND
INCLUSION AND ALL OF THAT FEELS
VERY HOPEFUL TO ME.
>> NOW, THE ARTICLES OF
IMPEACHMENT WILL GO TO THE
SENATE FOR A TRIAL OF DONALD
TRUMP ON MONDAY.
IN YOUR MIND, DOES THIS
TIMETABLE GET IN THE WAY OF
PRESIDENT BIDEN MOVING HIS
AGENDA QUICKLY?
>> I DO THINK THAT WE CAN WORK
HOPEFULLY ACROSS THE AISLE TO
CREATE A SCHEDULE FOR THE
IMPEACHMENT TRIAL AND KEEP A
SCHEDULE FOR ASSISTING PRESIDENT
BIDEN BY CONFIRMING HIS CABINET
NOMINEES AND HELPING HIM SET UP
A FUNCTIONING ADMINISTRATION AND
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
NOW, IT'S BEEN SO HOLLOWED OUT
IN THE WANING DAYS OF THE TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION WITH SECRETARIES
RESIGNING AND PEOPLE LEAVING THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
AND GIVEN THE CRISES WE FACE,
IT'S REALLY CRITICAL THAT WE BE
ABLE TO DO BOTH OF THOSE
CRITICAL TASKS AT THE SAME TIME.
>> BACK TO THAT DAY OF THE
INSURRECTION, WHAT WAS IT LIKE
FOR YOU?
>> YOU KNOW, I WAS ON THE SENATE
FLOOR.
PRIOR TO WALKING ON THE SENATE
FLOOR, I HAD GAZED OUT ONE OF
THE CAPITOL WINDOWS AND SAW
LARGE CROWDS OF PEOPLE HEADED UP
TO -- FROM THE WHITE HOUSE TO
THE CAPITOL.
BUT THEY WERE ALL OUTSIDE WHEN I
ENTERED THE SENATE CHAMBER.
IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING TO HAVE
IT LOCKED DOWN AND OUR
PROCEEDINGS INTERRUPTED.
VICE PRESIDENT PENCE WHISKED
AWAY.
VICE PRESIDENT ELECT KAMALA
HARRIS WHISKED AWAY.
WE WERE ALL TOLD THE SAFEST
PLACE FOR US TO BE WOULD BE TO
REMAIN IN THE SENATE CHAMBER
WITH ALL THE DOORS LOCKED.
OF COURSE, SHORTLY THEREAFTER
PLANS CHANGED AGAIN AND WE WERE
ENCOURAGED TO LEAVE AND LEAVE
QUICKLY.
IT WAS ONLY AFTERWARDS WHEN WE
STARTED SEEING IMAGES ON
TELEVISION THAT IT REALLY I
THINK HIT HOME HOW CLOSE WE CAME
TO A DIRECT CONFRONTATION WITH
THE RIOTERS AND THOSE
PARTICIPATING IN THIS
INSURRECTION.
>> TERRIFYING.
WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON GETTING
RID OF THE FILIBUSTER OR
REFORMING IT TO ALLOW
LEGISLATION TO PASS?
>> YOU KNOW, I BELIEVE THAT WE
WANT TO START OUT, JUST AS THE
PRESIDENT SAID IN HIS INAUGURAL
ADDRESS, WORKING TOGETHER AND
RECOGNIZING THE ENORMITY OF THE
CRISES WE'RE FACING AND
ENDEAVORING TO WORK TOGETHER TO
PASS LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS THE
SUFFERING THAT'S GOING ON RIGHT
NOW, THE PANDEMIC AND THE
ECONOMIC RECOVERY.
IF NOT, WE DO HAVE A TOOL AT OUR
DISPOSAL CALLED RECONCILIATION,
AND IF WE'RE UNABLE TO
ESPECIALLY PASS THIS RESCUE
PLAN, I THINK WE WILL HAVE TO
SERIOUSLY LOOK AT USING THE
RECONCILIATION PROCESS TO PASS
THINGS WITH A SIMPLE MAJORITY.
>> BECAUSE WHAT IS YOUR
EXPECTATION THAT THAT NEARLY $2
TRILLION COVID RESCUE PACKAGE
COULD MOVE FORWARD IN A
BIPARTISAN MANNER WITHOUT GOING
TO GO TO, SAY, RECONCILIATION?
>> WELL, THERE'S CERTAINLY GOING
TO BE KEY ELEMENTS THAT I HOPE
WE CAN ALL AGREE ON.
YOU KNOW, THE EXPIRATION OF
CERTAIN PROGRAMS ON MARCH 14 OF
NEXT YEAR WAS A NUMBER, IT
SEEMS, OR DATE PULLED OUT OF A
HAT.
WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS ALIGN OUR
PROGRAMS AND OUR RELIEF AND OUR
RESCUE TO THE PANDEMIC AND HOW
LONG IT REMAINS GRIPPING THE
UNITED STATES.
AND SO THINGS LIKE THAT, IN MY
MIND, SHOULD BE -- WE SHOULD BE
ABLE TO ACHIEVE AGREEMENT ON
THOSE.
WE ALSO WANT TO GET THE VACCINE
OUT AND IN PEOPLE'S ARMS AS
QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE NOT
ALLOCATED SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO
MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
SO THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT I
HOPE WE CAN COME TOGETHER ON.
SMALL BUSINESSES THAT MAY CLOSE
IF WE DON'T CONTINUE SOME SMALL
BUSINESS RELIEF.
AND GETTING PEOPLE BACK TO WORK.
ALL ARE CRITICAL ELEMENTS THAT
SHOULD HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.
BUT, AGAIN, IF THEY DON'T, WE'LL
LOOK AT BUDGET RECONCILIATION TO
GET IT DONE.
>> SO ON THE ECONOMY, A PRIORITY
OF YOURS IS AN EXPANDED BUY
AMERICA PROGRAM MINUS KIND OF
THE LOOPHOLES.
WHAT ARE YOU URGING PRESIDENT
BIDEN TO DO ON THIS, WITH ABOUT
A MINUTE LEFT?
>> WELL, TWO THINGS.
FIRST OF ALL, WE SAW HOW
PROBLEMATIC IT WAS AT THE
BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC THAT
WE WERE RELIANT ON MANUFACTURERS
ACROSS THE GLOBE FOR THINGS THAT
WE NO LONGER PRODUCED IN
AMERICA, WHETHER THAT WAS N95
MASKS OR GOWNS AND GLOVES,
TESTS, REAGENTS, SWABS.
WE CAN'T DO THAT ANYMORE.
WE HAVE TO BE SELF-RELIANT,
ESPECIALLY IN A GLOBAL PANDEMIC.
BUT WE SEE THIS ALSO AS WE LOOK
TOWARDS BUILDING BACK BETTER
WITH A RENEWED INVESTMENT IN
INFRASTRUCTURE.
TAXPAYER DOLLARS SHOULD NOT GO
OVERSEAS WHEN WE NEED JOBS HERE
IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
SO TAXPAYER DOLLARS SHOULD BE
SPENT ON AMERICAN WORKERS AND
AMERICAN PRODUCTS AS WE BUILD
BACK OUR NATION BETTER.
>> ALL RIGHT.
WE LEAVE IT THERE.
SENATOR TAMMY BALDWIN, THANKS
VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US.
>> THANK YOU.
>> REPUBLICAN U.S. SENATOR RON
JOHNSON PROVIDED HIS VIEW OF AN
IMPENDING SENATE IMPEACHMENT
TRIAL, TWEETING, QUOTE,
DEMOCRATS CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH
WAYS, AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL
IMPEACHMENT TRIAL AND SENATE
CONFIRMATION OF THE BIDEN
ADMINISTRATION'S NATIONAL
SECURITY TEAM.
THEY NEED TO CHOOSE BETWEEN
BEING VINDICTIVE OR STAFFING THE
ADMINISTRATION TO KEEP THE
NATION SAFE.
WHAT WILL IT BE, REVENGE OR
SECURITY, JOHNSON ASKS.
DURING HIS INAUGURAL CEREMONY,
PRESIDENT BIDEN SPOKE OUT
AGAINST SYSTEMIC RACISM IN HIS
CALL FOR UNITY.
THAT CALL RESONATES WITH THE
LEADER OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY WHO
SAYS, FOR YEARS WE'VE LANGUISHED
AT THE BOTTOM AS ONE OF THE
UNHEALTHIEST COUNTY NOTICE THE
STATE.
WE KNOW THAT'S IN PART TO
GENERATIONS OF DISINVESTMENT IN
COMMUNITIES OF COLORS AND
UNEQUALLY DISTRIBUTED
OPPORTUNITY.
MILWAUKEE COUNTY EXECUTIVE DAVID
CROWLEY LOOKS TO NEW
OPPORTUNITIES TO CREATE EQUITY.
HE JOINS US NOW AND THANKS VERY
MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME,
FREDERICA.
>> SO DID YOU HEAR WHAT YOU WERE
HOPING TO FROM THE NEW PRESIDENT
WHEN IT COMES TO EQUITY?
>> I ABSOLUTELY D. I DID.
I THINK ABOUT THE CHALLENGING
YEAR WE HAD LAST YEAR, WHEN WE
THINK ABOUT RACIAL EQUITY AN
GETTING OVER THIS PANDEMIC, IT
IS TRUER NOW THAN EVER.
TO SEE THIS NEW ADMINISTRATION
PAYING ATTENTION TO HOW THIS HAS
DISPROPORTION NATURALLY AFFECTED
PEOPLE OF COLOR AND WHEN WE SEE
THE RACIAL INEQUITIES IN THIS
PANDEMIC, THIS IS A BREATH OF
FRESH AIR.
>> WHAT CONCRETE STEPS NEED TO
BE TAKEN TO WORK TOWARD THAT
BOTH AT THE FEDERAL, STATE AND
LOCAL LEVEL?
>> WELL, I THINK THAT'S AN
EXCELLENT QUESTION.
ONE, WE ALWAYS HAVE TO RECOGNIZE
WHAT IS HAPPENING, SO WE HAVE TO
CALL A THING WHAT IT IS.
AND WE DID THAT RIGHT HERE IN
MILWAUKEE COUNTY BY MAKING SURE
TO SAY THAT RACISM WAS A PUBLIC
HEALTH CRISIS.
WE'VE BEEN DOING EXACTLY THAT,
FOCUSING ON OUR FIRST STRATEGIC
PLAN IN OVER 20 YEARS TO FOCUS
EXCLUSIVELY ON BOTH HEALTH AND
RACIAL EQUITY.
IN ORDER TO DO THAT,
PARTICULARLY HERE IN MILWAUKEE
COUNTY, IT'S GOING TO TAKE
RESOURCES.
I THINK PRESIDENT BIDEN
DEFINITELY UNDERSTANDS THAT.
AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT
MILWAUKEE COUNTY SPECIFICALLY,
EVERY YEAR WE START WITH ABOUT A
$20 MILLION DEFICIT.
IF WE WANT TO INVEST IN RACIAL
EQUITY, IT'S GOING TO TAKE
RESOURCES.
THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE
ARE CREATING PARTNERSHIPS HERE
LOCALLY, ABOUT A 1% SALES TAX
THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT
WITH STATE OFFICIALS AS WELL AS
THE GOVERNOR'S ADMINISTRATION,
BECAUSE WE HAVE TO PUT OUR MONEY
WHERE OUR MOUTH IS AND WE HAVE
TO FOCUS ON THREE AREAS IN MY
OPINION.
ONE, WE HAVE TO BE INTENTIONAL
ON WHO WE INCLUDE TO BE AT THE
TABLE.
IT HAS TO BE THE
DECISION-MAKERS.
WE HAVE TO BRIDGE THE GAP, BREAK
DOWN THE BARRIERS AND SILOS THAT
WE'VE BEEN OPERATING IN AS
PRIVATE AND GOVERNMENT ENTITIES.
AND PUT OUR MONEY WHERE OUR
MOUTH IS AND INVEST IN EQUITY.
AND THAT MEANS PUTTING DOLLARS
AND RESOURCES INTO COMMUNITIES
THAT HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY
UNDERSERVED.
>> BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN TALKING
ABOUT THESE DISPARITIES IN
MILWAUKEE FOR DECADES.
YOU THINK THESE STEPS WILL MAKE
IT DIFFERENT NOW?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
AND I WOULD SAY THAT WE JUST
FINISHED THIS WEEK -- AND I
WOULD SAY THIS WEEK REALLY GAVE
ME HOPE.
WE HAD DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING
DAY ON MONDAY AND THE
INAUGURATION ON WEDNESDAY.
IT'S ABOUT HOW DO WE BRING THIS
COUNTRY OND OUR COMMUNITIES
TOGETHER TO HAVE THIS
CONVERSATION.
IF YOU WANT TO TACKLE RACIAL
EQUITY, WE'RE LEARNING WHAT
WE'RE SEEING THROUGH THIS
PANDEMIC, IT'S GOING TO TAKE ALL
OF US BEING AT THE TABLE,
REPUBLICAN, DEMOCRAT, UNION
MEMBER, BUSINESS OWNER.
WE NEED EVERYBODY TO HAVE SKIN
IN THE GAME AND MAKE SURE WE'RE
TACKLING THIS HEAD-ON.
>> SPECIFIC TO THE PANDEMIC, ONE
OF THE BIDEN ORDERS WOULD CREATE
A COVID-19 EQUITY TASK FORCE.
WHAT WOULD YOU HOPE WOULD COME
OF THAT FOR MILWAUKEE COUNTY,
WHERE PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE
DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY
COVID AND VACCINATION RATES FOR
BLACK AND HISPANIC PEOPLE LAG
WAY BEHIND.
>> WE HAVE TO EDUCATE THE
COMMUNITY ON THE EFFICACY AND
SAFETY OF THIS VACCINE.
THIS IS LIKE MYSELF AND OTHER
BUSINESS LEADERS, COMMUNITY
LEADERS NOT ONLY EDUCATING, BUT
GOING OUT GETTING VACCINATED
THEMSELVES.
WHAT I WOULD SAY IS WHEN WE
THINK ABOUT THIS PANDEMIC AND
HOW IT'S DISAPPROVE PORTION
NATURALLY AFFECTED PEOPLE OF
COLOR, I THINK IT'S CRITICALLY
IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE REGIONAL
CENTERS, IN MY OPINION.
WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS AND WHAT THE STATE
GOVERNMENT HAS TO DO IN ORDER TO
BE PREPARED TO PUT THESE SHOTS
IN PEOPLE'S ARMS, WE HAVE TO
RELY SO MUCH ON OUR FEDERAL FOR
THESE DOSES.
SO I WOULD HOPE WITH THE
PRESIDENT'S AMBITIOUS GOAL OF
GETTING 100 MILLION VACCINATIONS
IN 100 DAYS, I THINK THAT IS
DOABLE, BUT IT'S GOING TO TAKE
RESOURCES, EDUCATION AND I THINK
A REGIONAL APPROACH TO THIS WILL
DEFINITELY ALLEVIATE ON A LOT OF
THE CONFUSION WE HAVE SEEN.
>> WHAT IS YOUR URGENCY TOWARD
EQUITY IN YOUR COUNTY AND FOR
YOUR PEOPLE?
>> WELL, I THINK THERE'S A LOT.
THE VERY BEGINNING YOU TALKED
ABOUT HOW WE'RE AT THE TOP OF A
LOT OF THE WRONG LISTS.
THE GOAL IS GETTING MILWAUKEE
COUNTY TO BE REMOVED FROM THE
LIST OF BEING ONE OF THE MOST
SEGREGATED PLACES HERE IN THE
UNITED STATES.
AND THIS IS MAKING SURE THAT WE
FOCUS ON ALL FIVE DETERMINANTS
OF HEALTH.
BUT AGAIN WE HAVE TO HOLD
OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE AND WE'RE
DOING THAT AND BRINGING OTHER
PARTNERS ALONG WITH US,
INTERNALLY AS WELL AS
EXTERNALLY.
AGAIN, IT'S GOING TO TAKE
RESOURCES.
THAT'S WHY WE ARE CONTINUOUSLY
HAVING THIS CONVERSATION ABOUT
HOW DO WE PUT OUR BEST FOOT
FORWARD AND GATHER AND LEVERAGE
RESOURCES TO INVEST IN THE
EQUITY AND FUTURE WE WANT TO SEE
HERE IN MILWAUKEE COUNTY.
>> ALL RIGHT.
MILWAUKEE COUNTY EXECUTIVE DAVID
CROWLEY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING
ME.
>> THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT
IS INCREASINGLY OPENING COVID-19
VACCINE ELIGIBILITY TO MORE
PEOPLE, INCLUDING PEOPLE OVER
AGE 65.
BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE QUICK.
>> ON MONDAY, WISCONSINITES 65
AND OLDER WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO
RECEIVE THE VACCINE.
THIS IS GREAT NEWS AND WILL HELP
SAVE LIVES IN ONE OF THE
POPULATIONS WE KNOW IS
PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO
SEVERE EFFECTS OF THE VIRUS.
BUT, FOLKS, HERE IN WISCONSIN
IT'S NOT A SMALL GROUP.
THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 700,000
WISCONSIN RESIDENTS 65 AND
OLDER.
THE AMOUNT OF VACCINE WE GET
FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL
HELP DETERMINE HOW QUICKLY WE
CAN GET THROUGH THIS GROUP.
BUT WE'RE GOING TO GET STARTED
WITH THE SUPPLIES WE HAVE
AVAILABLE NOWMENT
>> NOW.
GOVERNOR EVERS ASKS THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE MORE
VACCINE TO WISCONSIN.
WE TURN TO PBS WISCONSIN NEWS
REPORTER WILL CUSHMAN WHO COVERS
ALL THINGS COVID FOR US.
THANKS A LOT FOR BEING HERE.
>> THANK YOU.
>> SO EVEN AS THE GOVERNOR SAYS
HOW IT WILL BE A LIFT TO
VACCINATION 700,000 PEOPLE OVER
THE AGE OF 65, THE DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH SERVICES IS EXPANDING
WHO'S ELIGIBLE NEXT WEEK.
BUT WITH NOT ENOUGH VACCINE
COMING INTO WISCONSIN BUT
INCREASING NUMBERS OF THOSE
ELIGIBLE, HOW DOES HA WORK?
>> YEAH.
IT'S GOING TO WORK SLOWLY.
SO RIGHT NOW WISCONSIN IS
VACCINATING ABOUT -- OR
ADMINISTERING ABOUT 70 DOSES PER
WEEK.
AS YOU JUST MENTIONED, THE
NEWLY-ELIGIBLE AGE GROUP NEXT
MONDAY, ALL THOSE 65 AND OLDER,
THAT'S A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT IS
700,000 STRONG.
SO AT THE CURRENT RATE, IT WOULD
TAKE ABOUT TEN WEEKS TO
VACCINATE THAT WHOLE AGE GROUP
OR TO ADMINISTER THEIR FIRST
DOSE.
REALLY PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS
ARE MOVING FROM KIND OF THE
RISKIEST GROUPS IN THE STATE, SO
FRONT LINE HEALTH CARE WORKERS,
NURSING HOME RESIDENTS AND STAFF
AND ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY
RESIDENTS AND STAFF TO WHO THEY
DEEM TO BE KIND OF IN THIS NEXT
RISKIEST GROUP AND THAT WOULD
INCLUDE ALL OF THOSE 65 AND
OLDER, BECAUSE, AS WE KNOW,
ALMOST 90% OF THE DEATHS DUE TO
COVID IN WISCONSIN ARE IN THAT
AGE GROUP.
>> SO WHO'S EXPECTED TO BE IN
THIS NEXT GROUP THAT THE STATE
IS GOING TO ANNOUNCE NEXT WEEK?
>> RIGHT.
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
SERVICES DID RECEIVE
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM A STATE
COMMITTEE THAT'S WORKING ON
DETERMINING WHO SHOULD BE
ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINE WHEN.
THE DEPARTMENT IS EXPECTED TO
ACT ON THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS
EARLY NEXT WEEK.
RIGHT NOW THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS
INCLUDE TEACHERS, K-12 TEACHERS,
CHILD CARE WORKERS AND A COUPLE
OTHER GROUPS, TRANSIT WORKERS
AND GROCERY STORE WORKERS AND
FOOD SERVICE WORKERS.
>> WOW.
A LOT MORE PEOPLE, WHICH IS
GOOD, AND WE HOPE THOSE VACCINES
KEEP POURING INTO WISCONSIN.
WHAT IS THE GUIDANCE FROM HEALTH
OFFICIALS AS TO HOW PEOPLE ARE
SUPPOSED TO GET THEMSELVES IN
QUEUE TO GET A VACCINE IF
THEY'RE OUTSIDE HEALTH SYSTEMS
OR OTHER WORKPLACES THAT WILL
VACCINATE THEM?
>> YEAH.
SO THE HOPE IS THAT -- THERE ARE
MORE VACCINATORS COMING ONLINE
EVERY DAY.
AS OF YESTERDAY THERE ARE ABOUT
1300 REGISTERED VACCINATORS TO
PROVIDE THE COVID-19 VACCINES IN
THE STATE.
SO THE HOPE IS THAT THERE WILL
BE A LOT MORE PLACES TO GO TO
GET THE VACCINE, INCLUDING
COMMUNITY PHARMACIES AND
CLINICS, PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS.
SO STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE
RECOMMENDING THAT PEOPLE TRY TO
SEARCH ONLINE FIRST FOR
INFORMATION ABOUT WHERE THEY CAN
GET THEIR COVID SHOT AND THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES IS
ACTUALLY RECOMMENDING THAT FOLKS
APPROACH TRYING TO SECURE A
COVID VACCINE IN THE SAME WAY OR
AT THE SAME VENUES THAT THEY
WOULD GET THEIR ANNUAL FLU SHOT.
>> ALL RIGHT.
WOW.
WELL, WE THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
THE INFORMATION, WILL CUSHMAN.
>> THANK YOU.
>> AS STUDENTS RETURN TO CAMPUS
NEXT WEEK, UW SCHOOLS ARE
ROLLING OUT NEW TESTING
GUIDELINES.
STUDENTS AND FACULTY ON MOST
CAMPUSES MUST BE TESTED FOR
COVID-19 EVERY TWO WEEKS OR ONCE
A WEEK FOR THOSE IN DORMS.
UW-MADISON WILL REQUIRE WEEKLY
TESTS.
UW-MADISON PLAN BECOMES
EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 1.
>> WE LEARNED FROM EXPERIENCE
THIS FALL THAT A HIGH DEGREE OF
TESTING, FOLLOWED BY QUICKLY
ISOLATING AND QUARANTINING THOSE
WHO TEST POSITIVE OR WERE
EXPOSED, IS KEY TO KEEPING OUR
UNIVERSITY OPERATING AND OUR
COMMUNITY SAFE.
>> PBS WISCONSIN IS PART OF
UW-MADISON.
ANOTHER SPECIAL SESSION GOVERNOR
EVERS HAD CALLED THIS WEEK TO
FIX THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
SYSTEM WAS REJECTED BY THE
REPUBLICAN MAJORITY.
MORE TANGIBLE EVIDENCE OF THE
PEAR
PERSISTENT PARTISAN DIVIDE.
HOW WILL THE POLE POLARIZED POLITICAL
CULTURE FARE AT THE NATIONAL
LEVEL?
BKBILL MCCOSHEN AND SCOT ROSS,
THANKS FOR BEING HERE.
AFTER EVERYTHING THE COUNTRY HAS
BEEN THROUGH, THE VIOLENCE, THE
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND PEOPLE
WHO DON'T ACCEPT THE RESULTS,
CAN THERE TRULY BE THE UNITY JOE
BIDEN PREACHES?
>> I THINK IF THERE'S ANYBODY IN
THE UNITED STATES WHO'S GOING TO
BE ABLE TO BRING US BACK
TOGETHER, IT'S DEFINITELY JOE
BIDEN.
I MEAN, AFTER 50 YEARS IN THE
SENATE, AS THE VICE PRESIDENT,
THIS IS NOT A GUY WHO PEOPLE
THINK OF AS A HALF PARTISAN.
THIS IS A GUY WHO GETS THINGS
DONE.
HE'S PROVED IT.
HE'S GOING TO PROVE IT AS
PRESIDENT.
IT'S TIME WE GET SOME ADULT
LEADERSHIP IN THE WHITE HOUSE.
IT'S TIME TO FOCUS ON THE THINGS
THAT ARE IMPORTANT, THE ECONOMIC
CRISIS, BATTLING COVID.
HE'S TAKING STEPS TO TRY TO DO
THAT.
>> WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT
CALL FOR UNITY AND WHETHER IT'S
POSSIBLE?
>> REMEMBER, FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN
DONALD TRUMP WAS ELECTED,
DEMOCRATS' MANTRA WAS RESIST.
IT WASN'T UNITY.
BIDEN HAS SO MUCH D.C.
EXPERIENCE, HE KNOWS HOW TO GET
THINGS DONE, BUT REPUBLICANS
WON'T BE LISTENING TO HIS WORDS
NECESSARILY.
THEY'LL BE WATCHING HIS DEEDS.
SO IT DEPENDS ON HOW HE CONDUCTS
HIMSELF AND THE KINDS OF ISSUES
THAT HE TRIES TO PURSUE EARLY IN
HIS ADMINISTRATION AND HIS
WILLINGNESS TO REACH ACROSS THE
AISLE AND WORK WITH REPUBLICANS,
WHICH HAS BEEN HIS HISTORY, AT
LEAST AS A SENATOR, AND IF HE
CONTINUES THAT, I THINK HE'LL
GET SOME RESULTS.
>> MEANWHILE, THERE'S ALREADY A
POWER-SHARING FIGHT IN THE
SENATE, SPLIT 50/50, AT ODDS
OVER THE FILIBUSTER.
WHAT IS THIS GOING TO LOOK LIKE
IN PRACTICE WITH THE $2 TRILLION
COVID PACKAGE?
>> 20 YEARS AGO WHEN WE HAD A
50/50 SENATE, TOM DASCHLE AND
TRENT LOTT DID COME UP WITH A
POWER-SHARING AGREEMENT.
CHUCK SCHUMER HAS NO AGREEMENT
IN THAT.
SO DEMOCRATS WILL CONTROL THE
SENATE.
PROVIDED THE FILIBUSTER STAYS IN
PLACE, WE SHOULD HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO BLOCK THINGS
REPUBLICANS DON'T LIKE.
>> SCOT, WHAT DO YOU THINK OUGHT
TO HAPPEN?
>> WELL, I THINK THEY SHOULD GET
RID OF THE FILIBUSTER BECAUSE
MITCH MCCONNELL AND THE MCSENATE
HAVE BROKEN EVERY NORM OVER THE
SENATE.
MITCH MCCONNELL IS A PARTISAN
HAFNLGT HE WILL NOT DO ANYTHING
FOR THE GOOD OF THE COUNTRY,
ONLY TO INCREASE HIS POWER.
NOW THAT HE DOESN'T HAVE ANY, I
DON'T THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA TO
LOOK TO MCCONNELL.
SCHUMER SHOULD LOOK INSIDE OF
HIS OWN CAUCUS.
HE HAS THE GAMUT IN THERE.
THEY'RE GOING TO COME UP WITH
SOLUTIONS THAT WILL WORK.
JOE BIDEN HAS ALREADY PROVEN.
HE'S NOMINATED TRUMP'S FBI
DIRECTOR TO STAY AT FBI.
BUT WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE
REPUBLICAN SIDE?
THEY'RE BLOCKING PRESIDENT
BIDEN'S NOMINEE FOR DEPARTMENT
OF HOMELAND SECURITY.
IT'S DISGRACEFUL.
I'D LIKE TO THINK THE SENATE
WILL COME TO ITS SENSES ON THE
REPUBLICAN SIDE.
I DON'T THINK IT WILL.
>> THE HOUSE WILL DELIVER THE
IMPEACHMENT ARTICLE TO THE
SENATE ON MONDAY TO START THE
TRIAL AGAINST DONALD TRUMP.
SHOULD THIS HAVE BEEN DELAYED SO
BIDEN COULD MOVE HIS AGENDA AND
TRUMP COULD ASSEMBLE HIS
DEFENSE?
BILL?
>> THERE AGAIN, IT GOES BACK TO
THE PRESIDENT.
THE PRESIDENT COULD SAY THE
ARTICLES SHOULD REMAIN IN THE
HOUSE AND THE IMPEACHMENT SHOULD
NOT MOVE FORWARD.
IF HE'S SERIOUS ABOUT UNITY,
THAT WOULD BE HIS BEST MESSAGE
AND WE COULD GET ON THE WITH THE
BIDEN AGENDA.
WE'VE SEEN A FLURRY OF EXECUTIVE
ORDERS THIS WEEK ALREADY.
BUT THINGS HE WANTS TO PASS
THROUGH THE CONGRESS ARE GOING
TO BE LESS LIKELY TO GET DONE IF
HE PROCEEDS DOWN THE IMPEACHMENT
PATH.
>> WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT,
SCOT?
>> I MEAN, WE HAD A PRESIDENT
WHO WAS GUILTY OF HELPING A
SEDITIOUS TERRORIST INSURRECTION
AND HE MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
CONGRESS AND EXECUTIVE BRANCH
ARE EQUAL.
IF PRESIDENT BIDEN WANTED TO
STAY STOP IT, I DON'T KNOW THAT
IT WOULD STOP IT.
THEY WANT TO HOLD TRUMP
ACCOUNTABLE.
>> IF HE SAID STOP IT, IT WOULD
MAKE THEM MORE INTERESTED IN
WORKING WITH HIM AT LEAST EARLY
IN THE ADMINISTRATION, IN THE
FIRST 100 DAYS, WHICH ARE
CRITICAL.
>> HERE AT HOME THE STALEMATE
CONTINUES.
REPUBLICANS ARE NOW GOING AFTER
THE LATEST EVERS' MASK MANDATE.
IS THIS DYSFUNCTION JUST AT A
NEW PLACE NOW?
>> I THINK SO.
I MEAN, IT'S BEEN 280 DAYS SINCE
THE REPUBLICANS PUT A BILL ON
GOVERNOR EVERS' DESK.
THE ONLY THING THAT THE ASSEMBLY
HAS PASSED IS A
SELF-CONGRATULATORY RESOLUTION
FOR ROBIN VOS.
THEY HAVEN'T WORKED IN TEN
MONTHS.
CONTINUES FOR ROBIN VOS AND
REPUBLICANS TO BE BUSINESS AS
USUAL AND THAT'S NO BUSINESS.
>> BUCK STOPS WITH THE GOVERNOR.
HE'S 0-7 IN SPECIAL SESSION.
92% OF THEM PRODUCED SOME
RESULTS.
TONY EVERS HAS NO RESULTS IN ANY
OF HIS.
>> WE NEED TO LEAVE IT THERE.
THIS DOESN'T LOOK LIKE UNITY,
BUT I KNOW YOU ARE PUNDITS ON
OPPOSITE SIDES.
THANKS FOR JOINING US.
ONGOING COVERAGE OF THE
LEGISLATURE AND OUR
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION CAN BE
FOUND ONLINE THROUGHOUT THE
WEEK.
GO TO pbswisconsin.org AND
THEN CLICK ON THE NEWS TAB.
THAT IS OUR PROGRAM FOR TONIGHT.
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.
>> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS
PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR
JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS
WISCONSIN.