>> THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS A
PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL
PRODUCTION.
>> AS VACCINE SUPPLY INCREASES,
THE DOOR OPENS WIDER FOR PEOPLE
SEARCHING FOR A SHOT.
FEMA STAGING THIS CLINIC IN
MILWAUKEE AND ANOTHER ANNOUNCED
FOR EAU CLAIRE.
LAMBEAU FIELD OPENED ITS CLINIC
AND OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED NEW
ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES BASED ON
WHERE YOU LIVE, ENSURING THAT
RESIDENTS IN UNDER-SERVED
NEIGHBORHOODS CAN GET VACCINATED
STARTING NEXT WEEK.
MEANMEANWHILE, GRATITUDE FOR A SHOT
AND LOOKING FOR BETTER DAYS
AHEAD.
>> A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE
TUNNEL.
GET BACK TO NORMAL.
>> I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
TONIGHT ON "HERE AND NOW," WE GO
TO GREEN BAY AND COMEK AND CHECK ON THE
VACCINATIONS UNDERWAY IN BROWN
COUNTY.
HOW HEALTH CARE IS IMPACTED BY
THE STIMULUS BILL.
AND THE EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
ADMINISTRATOR SHARES MONEY ABOUT
HOW THE STIMULUS MONEY MAY BE
USED IN HER COUNTY.
IT'S "HERE AND NOW" FOR MARCH
19.
>> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS
PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR
JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS
WISCONSIN.
>> OUR STATE IS A LEADER IN
VACCINE ADMINISTRATION.
WE HAVE EXPANDED ELIGIBILITY
MANY TIMES, AND THOSE EXPANSIONS
HAVE COME SOONER THAN WE
ORIGINALLY EXPECTED, THANKS TO
INCREASED SUPPLY FROM THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE
IMPRESSIVE WORK OF OUR
VACCINATORS ACROSS THE STATE.
>> THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT
REPORTS THAT MORE THAN 23% OF
WISCONSIN'S ADULT POPULATION HAS
HAD AT LEAST ONE VACCINE, WITH
MORE SUPPLY ON THE WAY.
THE UPTAKE INCREASES AS MASS AND
COMMUNITY VACCINE LYN NAIKS
ACROSS THE STATE THE ADD TO THE
OTHER SITES, WITH ELIGIBILITY
OPENING UP QUICKLY.
LAMBEAU FIELD TURNED INTO A
VACCINE CLINIC THIS WEEK AND
WILL CONTINUE AS A PLACE TO GET
SHOTS, ATHLETE UNTIL THE PACKER
PLAYERS THEMSELVES NEED THE
SPACE BACK.
FOR MORE ON THIS, WE TURN TO
DR. MICHAEL LANDRUM, INFECTIOUS
DISEASE SPECIALIST AT BELLIN
HEALTH IN GREEN BAY WHICH
PARTNERED WITH THE PACKERS AND
BROWN COUNTY ON THE CLINIC.
THANKS VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> SO IN YOUR MIND HOW IMPORTANT
IS A COMMUNITY CLINIC LIKE THE
ONE AT LAMBEAU TOWARD GETTING
PEOPLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY
VACCINATED?
>> I THINK IT'S INCREDIBLY
IMPORTANT.
WE NEED PLACES WHERE PEOPLE CAN
GO TO GET VACCINATED THAT ARE
WIDELY AVAILABLE, EASY TO GET
TO, CAN GET LARGE NUMBERS OF
PEOPLE THROUGH IN A SHORT PERIOD
OF TIME IN AN EFFICIENT MANNER
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
IT'S A RACE BETWEEN THE VACCINE
AND THE VIRUS RIGHT NOW, AND SO
WE NEED SITES LIKE LAMBEAU FIELD
AND OTHER LARGE COMMUNITY SITES
JUST TO DO THIS EXACT THING.
>> SO DOES BEING AT LAMBEAU ADD
A LITTLE LUSTER TO THE OPERATION
AND DRAW PEOPLE IN?
>> I THINK MAYBE IT DOES.
I MEAN, IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE
COMFORTABLE MAYBE TO GO TO
LAMBEAU FIELD THAN SOME STERILE
OFFICE BUILDING OR A REPURPOSED
BOX STORE.
WE'VE BEEN DOING SOME TESTING AT
AN OLD SEARS SITE HERE IN TOWN.
BUT LAMBEAU FIELD IS A LITTLE
BIT MORE COMFORTABLE, PEOPLE ARE
FAMILIAR WITH IT.
SO MAYBE IN THAT REGARD, MAYBE
IT DOES HELP.
>> HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU EXPECT
TO GET THEIR VACCINES THERE?
>> RIGHT NOW ANYWHERE FROM 3,000
TO 5,000 PER WEEK.
WE HOPE TO DOUBLE THAT OR GO
HIGHER THAN THAT IN THE COMING
WEEKS AS VACCINE SUPPLY OPENS
UP.
>> WHAT IS THE SITUATION WITH
VACCINE SUPPLY AND ITS
PREDICTABILITY RIGHT NOW?
>> IT'S BEEN GETTING BETTER.
FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS, IT REAL
REALLY WAS NOT VERY CERTAIN.
BUT GETTING BETTER.
THE SUPPLY OF PFIZER VACCINE
THAT WE'VE BEEN GETTING THROUGH
THE STATE HAS BEEN INCREASING
AND HAS BECOME MORE RELIABLE.
MODERNA VACCINE HAS BEEN
RELIABLE, BUT NOT INCREASING AS
MUCH.
OF COURSE NOW WE HAVE THE
JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE.
I IMAGINE WITHIN A FEW WEEKS
THAT SUPPLY WILL BE GOING UP AND
BECOMING MORE READILY AVAILABLE.
>> SO IF PEOPLE WERE GOING TO GO
TO THE LAMBEAU SITE FOR THEIR
VACCINES, WOULD THEY KNOW AHEAD
OF TIME WHAT KIND THEY WOULD BE
GIVEN OR IS IT JUST KIND OF
WHATEVER YOU GET THAT WEEK?
>> SO PREDOMINANTLY RIGHT NOW
IT'S WHATEVER WE HAVE AVAILABLE.
WE'RE STILL NOT AT A POINT WHERE
WE CAN LET SOMEONE CHOOSE THE
TYPE OF VACCINE THAT THEY WOULD
GET.
WHATEVER WE HAVE IS WHAT WE'RE
GOING TO ADMINISTER.
RIGHT NOW THAT'S PREDOMINANTLY
THE PFIZER VACCINE.
>> HOW ENCOURAGED ARE YOU BY THE
NUMBER OF PEOPLE GETTING
VACCINES IN WISCONSIN AS
REPORTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH LATE THIS WEEK, SOMETHING
LIKE 70% OF PEOPLE 65 AND OLDER
HAVE HAD VACCINES.
>> I'VE BEEN REALLY ENCOURAGED
BY THAT.
WE'VE SEEN OVERWHELMING DEMAND
IN THE GREEN BAY AREA, NORTHEAST
WISCONSIN AS WELL.
SO THAT HAS BEEN VERY, VERY
ENCOURAGING.
I REALLY HOPE THAT THE DEMAND
LIKE THAT CONTINUES AS WE EXPAND
TO THESE OTHER GROUPS THAT WILL
BE STARTING TO VACCINATE
BEGINNING EARLY NEXT WEEK.
>> THAT'S A BIG GROUP, SOME TWO
MILLION PEOPLE.
DO YOU EXPECT A LOT OF PEOPLE TO
RUSH THE DOORS, AS IT WERE?
>> IF THAT -- YES.
THAT'S KIND OF WHAT HAPPENED
WHEN WE OPENED UP TO THOSE WHO
WERE 65 AND OLDER.
WE HAD A BIG RUSH AT FIRST
CALLING AND CRASHED SOME OF OUR
ONLINE REGISTRATION SITES.
SO I IMAGINE THERE WILL BE
SIMILAR DEMAND LIKE THAT
INITIALLY AS WE ROLL OUT TO THE
NEXT PHASE.
>> SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT THE
JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE IS
INFERIOR TO PFIZER OR MODERNA.
WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON THAT?
>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
YOU LOOK AT THE OVERALL
INFECTION RATES.
FOR JOHNSON & JOHNSON MAYBE 66%
TO 77% VERSUS PFIZER OR MODERNA
BEING 95%.
AT FACE VALUE YOU THINK, WELL, I
WANT THE VACCINE WITH THE
HIGHEST EFFECTIVENESS.
AND I SAY TO THOSE PEOPLE THAT
ARE CONCERNED, YOU HAVE TO
CONSIDER THAT THE JOHNSON &
JOHNSON VACCINE WAS DONE AT A
DIFFERENT TIME.
SO IT'S NOT A HEAD TO HEAD
COMPARISON.
IT WAS DONE LATER.
WE HAVE MORE VARIANTS
CIRCULATING NOW.
THE NUMBERS MAY HAVE BEEN
IMPACTED BY THAT FOR SURE.
BUT THE VACCINE STILL IS
INCREDIBLY EFFECTIVE, VERY
EFFECTIVE AT PREVENTING THOSE
SERIOUS ILLNESSES THAT RESULT IN
HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATH, JUST
AS GOOD AS THE PFIZER AND
MODERNA.
AND THAT'S WHY YOU TAKE THE
VACCINE.
>> WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE
HESITANT TO TAKE THE VACCINE?
WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THAT?
>> WELL, WE'VE BEEN DOING A LOT
HERE TO TRY TO EDUCATE OUR
PATIENT POPULATION AND THE LOCAL
COMMUNITY.
THERE ARE LOTS OF REASONS WHY
PEOPLE CITE FOR BEING HESITANT
ABOUT IT.
AND I THINK YOU REALLY COMBAT
THAT JUST WITH EDUCATION AS BEST
AS YOU CAN.
IT IS CHALLENGING IN SOME CASES,
FOR SURE, AND YOU REALLY HAVE TO
SOME SOME CASES WITH PATIENTS
COME ALONGSIDE THEM AND RELY ON
THAT RELATIONSHIP THAT YOU'VE
HAD WITH THEM MAYBE THAT YOU'VE
CREATED OVER THE YEARS TO TRY TO
REASSURE THEM THAT IT IS SAFE
AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY
NEEDED.
>> ALL RIGHT.
DR. MICHAEL LANDRUM, THANKS VERY
MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
>> AS FOLKS START TALKING ABOUT
GETTING BACK TO NORMAL WITH THE
FLOOD OF COVID VACCINE RUSHING
INTO STATES, MANY PEOPLE STILL
LOOK TO GETTING BACK TO EVEN
AFTER JOB LOSS OR REDUCTION AND
WITH BILLS PILING UP.
ONE MAJOR WORRY FOR EVERYONE IS
THE COST AND COVERAGE OF HEALTH
CARE.
THERE ARE SOME BIG CHANGES THAT
ARE PART OF THE FEDERAL STIMULUS
PACKAGE WHICH OUR NEXT GUEST
CALLS HISTORIC AND SIGNIFICANT.
BOBBY PETERSON IS EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF ABC FOR HEALTH, A
NONPROFIT PUBLIC INTEREST LAW
FIRM FOCUSED ON HEALTH CARE
ACCESS.
THANKS A LOT FOR BEING HERE
AGAIN.
>> YOU'RE WELL WELCOME.
GLAD TO HELP.
>> SO IS WHAT'S IN THE AMERICAN
RESCUE PLAN HISTORIC WHEN IT
COMES TO HEALTH CARE AND
SPECIFICALLY THE AFFORDABLE CARE
ACT?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
THERE WERE NO CHANGES MADE WHEN
THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WAS
PASSED TEN YEARS AGO AND THERE
WAS A LOT OF CALL FOR
ADJUSTMENTS AND CHANGES AND
HELPING TO IMPROVE IT, BUT
NOTHING EVER MADE IT THROUGH.
IN FACT, THE OPPOSITE WAS
OCCURRING, WHERE PEOPLE WERE
TRYING TO REPEAL IT.
>> RIGHT.
>> THIS IS A GIANT STEP FORWARD.
IT PROVIDES A LOT OF
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADDITIONAL
COVERAGE FOR PEOPLE, SUPPORT FOR
PEOPLE, PREMIUM PAYMENT SUPPORT,
TAX SUBSIDIES.
IT'S A REALLY BIG DEAL.
>> SO THE OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD
FOR MARKETPLACE PLAN RUNS
THROUGH MAY 15.
WHAT CAN PEOPLE LOOKING TO SIGN
UP FOR COVERAGE EXPECT UNDER THE
NEW PROVISIONS?
>> WELL, I MEAN, IF YOU HAVE
COVERAGE, THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES
TO GO IN AFTER APRIL 1.
THE MARKETPLACE IS SUPPOSED TO
HAVE THE ADJUSTMENTS MADE.
SO YOU CAN IDENTIFY SOME OF THE
CREDITS THAT MAY BE AVAILABLE TO
YOU.
YOU CAN SWITCH INSURANCE STILL
IF YOU FIND SOMETHING THAT'S
MORE AFFORDABLE.
FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE BELOW 150%
OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LIMIT,
COST SHARINGS ARE GOING TO GO
AWAY AT THAT POINT.
AND FOR A LOT OF THOSE PEOPLE
THAT HAD A FEDERAL POVERTY LIMIT
ABOVE 400% WHERE YOU KIND OF HIT
A CLIFF, WHERE SUDDENLY THERE
WAS NO ADVANCE PREMIUM TAX
CREDITS AVAILABLE, SOME OF THOSE
PEOPLE WILL HAVE OPPORTUNITIES
FOR SUBSIDIZED CARE.
>> 150% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY
LIMIT IS SOMETHING LIKE $19,000.
AND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IF THAT'S
THE KIND OF INCOME YOU'RE AT,
YOU COULD GET, UNDER THESE NEW
PROVISIONS, A MARKETPLACE PLAN
UNDER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
FOR DISEEFER ZERO PREMIUMS?
>> CORRECT.
THAT'S FOR A FAMILY OF ONE.
>> RIGHT GLMENT SO ITMENT
>> RIGHT
>> IT WILL CHANGE BASED UPON
YOUR FAMILY SIZEMENT IT'S AN
IMPORTANT CHANGE AND OPPORTUNITY
FOR PEOPLE TO GET BOTH
SUBSIDIZED COVERAGE AND TO
MAINTAIN CONTINUITY.
>> AGAIN, IF YOU'RE ALREADY
ENROLLED IN ONE OF THOSE PLANS,
IS IT AUTOMATIC THAT THESE KIND
OF NEW MONIES ACCRUE TO YOUR
PREMIUMS OR DO YOU HAVE TO MAKE
SOME CHANGES?
>> WELL, I MEAN, WE WOULD ADVISE
YOU TO GO IN AND TO MAKE SOME OF
THE ADJUSTMENTS AFTER APRIL 1.
I MEAN, IF YOU DON'T DO
ANYTHING, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO
RECONCILE IT ON YOUR TAXES NEXT
YEAR.
BUT IT'S A GOOD IDEA IF YOU WANT
TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOME OF
THESE OPPORTUNITIES EARLY TO GO
INTO THE MARKETPLACE AND MAKE
THOSE CHANGES IF YOU NEED TO.
>> OKAY.
THE FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY ALSO
IN SENT
INCENTIVIZES STATES TO ENHANCE
MEDICAID.
OUR REPUBLICAN SPEAKER SAYING HE
IS OPPOSED TO THAT EXPANSION.
BUT WHAT WOULD BE IN IT FOR
WISCONSIN TO EXPAND?
>> $1.6 BILLION.
$1.6 BILLION.
THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT CHUNK OF
CHANGE.
WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE
MEDICAID PROGRAM, RESOURCES
COMING INTO THE STATE, WHAT A
GREAT WAY TO HIT MONEY ACROSS
THE STATE.
BECAUSE EVERY COUNTY IN THE
STATE HAS PEOPLE THAT ARE
GETTING BADGERCARE PLUS
MEDICAID.
DOCTORS, PHYSICIANS, FEDERALLY
QUALIFIED HEALTH PROVIDERS WILL
PROVIDE A BIG SHOT IN THE ARM
FOR THE PATIENTS THAT NEED IT
AND FOR HEALTH CARE
INFRASTRUCTURE IN THIS STATE.
IT ALSO FREES UP A LOT OF STATE
GPR FUNDS TO REBUILD OUR PUBLIC
BUILD SYSTEM, WHICH WE NEED TO
DO.
THIS PANDEMIC HAS CAUGHT US THAT
WE WERE CAUGHT VERY FLAT-FOOTED.
AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT
WE'RE PREPARED AND READY.
BECAUSE THIS ISN'T -- YOU KNOW,
THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN AT
SOME POINT, UNFORTUNATELY.
AND SO I THINK USING SOME OF
THESE RESOURCES TO REBUILD
PUBLIC HEALTH, TO MAKE SURE THAT
WE'RE IN A BETTER POSITION THAN
WE WERE WHEN THE FIRST PANDEMIC
HIT.
>> ONE REASON REPUBLICAN
POLICYMAKERS HAVE BEEN RESISTANT
TO EXPANDING MEDICAID IS THAT
THEY WORRY THAT THE PROGRAM WILL
BE EXPANDED AND THEN THE FEDERAL
MONEY WON'T BE RENEWED.
WE KNOW SOME OF THESE OTHER
ENHANCEMENTS LAST FOR TWO YEARS.
WHAT ABOUT THE CONCERNS AROUND
THAT?
>> I MEAN, YOU KNOW, I THINK
THAT IN A CRISIS SITUATION LIKE
THIS YOU WANT TO TRY AND
MAXIMIZE FEDERAL MONEY.
I MEAN, TOMMY THOMPSON USED TO
SAY IF FEDERAL MONEY IS
AVAILABLE, YOU SHOULD TAKE IT.
AND I AGREE WITH THAT.
IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY HERE TO
ADDRESS IMMEDIATE NEEDS.
IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SURE
WE GET THE CARE AND COVERAGE TO
THE PEOPLE WHO NEED T. AND I
THINK A VERY IMPORTANT -- PEOPLE
TALK ABOUT NO COVERAGE GAPS,
WHICH IS ONE OF THE ARGUMENTS
THAT IS MADE.
COVERAGE GAPS ARE SMALLER IN
WISCONSIN, BUT IT'S LIKE TRYING
TO WORK THROUGH A MAZE, TRYING
TO FIGURE OUT THE 30 PLUS
FEATURES OF MEDICAID THAT YOU'RE
ELIGIBLE FOR, ALL THE DIFFERENT
FEATURES OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE
ACT.
IT'S HARD FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON
TO FIGURE IT OUT.
WE COULD SIMPLIFY IT.
BADGERCARE PLUS SEPARATES
PARENTS FROM THEIR CHILDREN.
THE PARENTS ARE DIRECTED TO THE
MARKETPLACE.
KIDS ARE BADGERCARE PLUS.
THAT'S AN EXTRA STEP THAT WE
DON'T NEED.
>> ALL RIGHT.
WE LEAVE IT THERE.
THERE'S A LOT MORE DISCUSSION
AROUND THAT ISSUE FOR SURE.
BOBBY PETERSON, THANKS VERY
MUCH.
>> OKAY.
THANKS, FRED.
>> TALK ABOUT A SHOT IN THE ARM.
FEDERAL RELIEF FUNDING WILL SEND
SOME $5.7 BILLION TO WISCONSIN
AS THE STATE CONTINUES TO
WEATHER THE ECONOMIC FALLOUT OF
THE PAFN AND THE COSTS OF PUBLIC
HEALTH RESPONSE.
THIS INCLUDES $3.2 BILLION FOR
STATE GOVERNMENT, $1.1 BILLION
FOR COUNTIES AND MORE THAN
$780,000 TO CITIES.
WHAT WILL THIS MEAN TO
COMMUNITIES?
WE CHECK IN WITH EAU CLAIRE
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR KATHRYN
SCHAUF TO FIND OUT AND THANKS
VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> FIRST OF ALL, WHAT IS YOUR
REACTION TO GETTING THIS MONEY?
>> IT'S RATHER ASTOUNDING.
I THINK THAT ALL OF OUR
COMMUNITY PARTNERS ARE GRATEFUL
AND AT THE SAME TIME OPTIMISTIC
THAT WE CAN PUT THIS MONEY TO
USE TO NOT ONLY FILL GAPS THAT
WE HAVE FROM THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC, BUT ALSO TO STIMULATE
OUR ECONOMIC RECOVERY IN
MEANINGFUL WAYS.
>> SO WHAT IS YOUR COUNTY
EXPECTING TO SEE IN THE WAY OF
THESE RELIEF FUNDS?
>> SO THE COUNTY WILL HAVE A
DIRECT ALLOCATION OF AROUND
$20.3 MILLION AND THEN, WHEN
ADDED TO OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT
PARTNERS, IT'S $37 MILLION.
SO IT'S A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT
INTO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY.
AND THAT DOESN'T EVEN COUNT THE
MONIES THAT ARE GOING TO BE
EEFER MARKED
EARMARKED FOR PUBLIC HEALTH,
SOCIAL SERVICES, BROADBAND FOR
LIBRARIES AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
SO THERE ARE A NUMBER OF
DIFFERENT FUNDING RESOURCES THAT
ARE GOING TO ADD UP TO A
SIGNIFICANT VEST NMENT INVESTMENT IN OUR
LOCAL ECONOMY.
>> SO HOW DO YOU EXPECT TO SPEND
IT?
>> WELL, I THINK THAT IS THE
CHALLENGE.
RIGHT NOW WE'RE STILL AWAITING
GUIDANCE FROM THE TREASURY,
BECAUSE WE HAVE GENERAL
PARAMETERS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT
FORWARD, AND FROM THOSE GENERAL
PARAMETERS WE'LL NEED MORE
DETAIL TO KNOW WHAT'S INCLUDED
AND WHAT IS NOT.
HOWEVER, I THINK ONE OF THE
THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN FORTUNATE
TO HAVE IN EAU CLAIRE IS A
STRONG COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP
WITH ALL OF OUR SECTORS.
AND EARLY ON IN OUR PANDEMIC
RESPONSE, THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
PARTNERS GOT TOGETHER WITH THE
LOCAL CHAMBER, VISIT EAU CLAIRE,
OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS AND WE
SAID WE NEED AN ECONOMIC
RECOVERY SYSTEM THAT CAN HELP
PUT INFORMATION OUT INTO OUR
COMMUNITY AS WELL AS HELPING
VACCINE INFORMATION GO OUT AND
HOW DO WE GET THROUGH THIS
PANDEMIC TOGETHER.
AND SO WE'VE PUT TOGETHER AN
ECONOMIC RECOVERY OR COVID
RECOVERY TASK FORCE AND THAT'S
STILL IN EXISTENCE TODAY.
AND THAT FORUM IS ONE FORUM THAT
WE'RE GOING TO USE WHEN WE HAVE
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW DO WE
RECOVER.
BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY OF THE
PLAYERS WHO BENEFIT FROM THIS
INVESTMENT AT THE AVAILABLE.
BECAUSE WE'LL WANT TO HAVE A LOT
OF CITIZEN INPUT.
WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT THE
DOLLARS FROM A COUNTY
PERSPECTIVE, WE'RE ALSO LOOKING
AT IT FROM THE STANDPOINT OF IF
WE SPEND MONEY TODAY, WE TO WANT
BE ABLE TO INVEST IT TO SAVE
TOMORROW.
WE TO WANT LOOK AT THINGS THAT
HELP OUR REGION.
SO REGIONAL COORDINATION IS
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, AS IS
SOCIAL EQUITY.
AND SO ALONG WITH THE ECONOMIC
RECOVERY TASK FORCE, WE'LL WORK
WITH OUR COUNTY BOARD AND OTHER
ELECTED LEADERS, BUT ALSO OUR
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
AND WE HAVE A STRONG LOCAL
GOVERNMENT COLLABORATIVE
INITIATIVE THAT'S ACTUALLY TIED
TO THAT ECONOMIC RECOVERY TASK
FORCE.
>> BECAUSE WHAT HAS BEEN THE
ECONOMIC FALLOUT IN EAU CLAIRE
COUNTY DO YOU HAVE TO THE
PANDEMIC?
>> WELL, IT'S BEEN SOMEWHAT
SPOTTY.
THERE ARE AREAS THAT HAVE REALLY
SUFFERED.
OF COURSE, LEISURE, HOSPITALITY,
OUR RESTAURANTS.
AND OTHER AREAS THAT ACTUALLY
HAVEN'T SEEN THE SAME ECONOMIC
IMPACT, SUCH AS MANUFACTURING.
IN FACT, WE'VE SEEN SOME REALLY
POSITIVE INCREASES IN THE AREA
OF MANUFACTURING IN THE CHIPPEWA
VALLEY, EVEN DURING THE
PANDEMIC.
AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT, FOR THOSE
TYPES OF SERVICE WHERE WE RELY
ON WHETHER IT BE FEES, FINES AND
FORFEITURES, OR LIKE OUR JAIL,
OUR JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER,
THOSE TYPE OF FACILITIES THAT
ARE 24/7 AND RELY ON THE COST
SHARING THAT'S ALL BASED ON THE
CAPACITY AND NUMBER OF PERSONS
IN THERE, THOSE ARE AREAS WE'RE
SEEING LOSSES THAT WE'LL BE ABLE
TO BACKFILL WITH SOME OF THESE
FUNDS AS WELL AS SHORING UP OUR
PUBLIC HEALTH EFFORTS TO RESPOND
TO THE PANDEMIC.
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT THESE ARE
KIND OF ONE-TIME MONIES.
SO IT'S NOT LIKE YOU CAN LAUNCH
NEW PROGRAMS OR PROJECTS WITHOUT
FUNDING THOSE GOING FORWARD.
WHAT'S THE BEST --
>> CORRECT.
>> -- WAY BRIEWFL, DO YOU BRIEFLY, TO MAKE THE
MOST OF THE FUNDS?
>> TO LOOK AT THE CURRENT
INFRASTRUCTURE THAT'S THERE,
WHERE THAT NEEDS SHORING UP AND
ALSO TO LOOK AT PROJECTS THAT
BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY AS A
WHOLE.
AND THE ONE THAT COMES
IMMEDIATELY TO MIND IS
BROADBAND.
IT'S ON EVERYONE'S EVERYONE'S RADAR RIGHT
NOW.
IT'S ONE OF THE LEARNING PIECES
WE TAKE AWAY FROM COVID, IS THAT
THE NEED FOR ACCESS TO BROADBAND
IS ESSENTIAL.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
ALL RIGHT.
KATHRYN SCHAUF, THANKS FOR
JOINING US.
>> THANK YOU.
>> WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE
$1.9 TRILLION AMERICAN REST RESCUE
PLAN AS IT AFFECTS WISCONSIN.
NOT A SINGLE REPUBLICAN VOTED
FOR THE FUNDING.
AND THERE'S A DIVIDE OVER THE
COVID-19 VACCINE.
NEARLY HALF OF REPUBLICAN MEN
SAY THEY WILL NOT GET
VACCINATED.
SO THE POLITICS OF THE PANDEMIC
PERSIST.
ON THESE AND OTHER MATTERS, WE
TURN TO OUR POLITICAL PANELISTS,
REPUBLICAN BILL MCCOSHEN AND
DEMOCRAT SCOT ROSS.
THANKS FOR BEING HERE ONCE
AGAIN.
>> HELLO.
>> SO POLLING SHOWS THAT OVER
60% OF PEOPLE SUPPORTED THIS
RELIEF PACKAGE.
BILL, THAT'S NOT HARD FOR
REPUBLICANS TO IGNORE?
>> WELL, I THINK THE NOTION OF
UNITY THAT THE PRESIDENT SAID IN
HIS INAUGURAL ADDRESS WENT OUT
THE WINDOW, RIGHT?
TEN REPUBLICAN SENATORS WENT TO
THE WHITE HOUSE, PITCHED THE
PRESIDENT ON A SMALLER PACKAGE
THAT THEY WOULD ACTUALLY
SUPPORT.
ALL OF THE COVID RELIEF PACKAGES
DURING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
WERE BIPARTISAN IN NATURE.
THIS ONE WAS TOTALLY PARTISAN
AND THERE WAS ACTUALLY
BIPARTISAN OPPOSITION TO IT.
TWO DEMOCRATS VOTED AGAINST IT
IN THE HOUSE.
>> SO I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY
THAT I WAS PRETTY SURE SCOT HAD
SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT THIS.
>> FIRST OF ALL, THANK GOODNESS
FOR THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN.
IT'S $20 BILLION FOR THE STATE
OF WISCONSIN.
4 MILLION ADULTS AND 1.5 MILLION
KIDS ARE GOING TO BENEFIT FROM
THAT $1400 CHECK.
WE'VE GOT $7.8 BILLION COMING
BACK TO THE PEOPLE IN THAT FORM.
$5.7 BILLION COMING TO STATE,
LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
THIS IS A PLAN THAT HELPS
EVERYBODY ACROSS THE BOARD.
IT IS UNCONSCIONABLE THAT THE
REPUBLICANS DIDN'T SUPPORT THIS.
GUYSLIKE RYAN STIEL AND
GALLAGHER ARE GOING TO SAY WHY
DID YOU VOTE FOR HUNDREDS OF
MILLIONS AGAINST YOUR
CONSTITUENTS?
>> DO PEOPLE FEEL LIKE ENHANCED
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND
STIMULUS CHECKS ARE TOO RICH?
>> NO.
THEY WOULD HAVE VOTED FOR THAT
AND ADDITIONAL PPE MONEY AND
MONEY TO GET SCHOOLS REOPENED.
THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT.
>> IT'S IN THERE.
>> YEAH, BUT SO WAS -- THERE WAS
AN ADDITIONAL TRILLION THAT
MIGHT NOT BE NEEDED.
THERE'S STILL A TRILLION FROM
THE LAST TRUMP CARES PACKAGE
THAT HASN'T BEEN PUT OUT ON THE
STREET.
WE NOW HAVE ALMOST $3 PL TRILLION
ABOUT TO BE FLOODING OUR
STREETS.
>> REPUBLICAN MEN DON'T WANT TO
GET THE COVID-19 VACCINE.
WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT'S ABOUT?
>> WELL, THAT'S ABOUT A
CONSISTENT MISINFORMATION
CAMPAIGN ON THE PART OF
REPUBLICANS.
THE REASON THE PANDEMIC HAS BEEN
SO DISASTROUS, 500,000 PEOPLE
DEAD, 7200 DEAD IN WISCONSIN, IS
BECAUSE REPUBLICANS LED BY
DONALD TRUMP THOUGHT IF THEY
ACTED AS THOUGH THE PANDEMIC
WERE REAL IT WOULD HURT HIM
POLITICALLY.
IT HAS BEEN AN ABSOLUTE
DISASTER.
THANK GOODNESS GOVERNOR EVERS IS
LEADING US IN WISCONSIN WHERE
WEFER NUMBER ONE IN THE COUNTRY
IN VACCINE DISTRIBUTION GOING
OUT.
>> RIGHT.
>> CAN'T BE HAPPIER FOR THAT.
OLD PEOPLE ARE GETTING
VACCINATED, YOUNG PEOPLE ARE
GETTING VACCINATED.
WE'RE GOING TO OPEN UP FOR THE
NEXT PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED.
>> THAT IS GREAT NEWS.
BUT, BILL, IN YOUR MIND IS THERE
A BETTER WAY TO REOPEN AMERICA
THAN TO BEAT BACK THIS VIRUS?
>> NO.
I CAN'T GET TO GET MY VACCINE.
I THINK MORE PEOPLE WILL
ULTIMATELY GET IT, MORE THAN 100
MILLION OUT OF 330 MILLION IN
THE UNITED STATES HAVE ALREADY
GOTTEN T. WE'RE DOING WELL IN
THE STATE OF WISCONSIN.
IT IS THE KEY TO REOPENING AND
GETTING BACK TO NORMAL.
WHAT I DON'T WITH IS FORCING
PEOPLE TO GET VACCINES.
IF THEY CHOOSE NOT TO, I THINK
THAT SHOULD BE THEIR CHOICE.
>> SCOT, OUR REPUBLICAN U.S.
SENATOR RON JOHNSON SAID THAT
THERE IS, QUOTE, NO DOUBT THAT
DEMOCRATS HAVE TARGETED ME, HE
SAID, FOR EXTINCTION.
IN FACT, HE SAID, I AM TARGET
NUMBER ONE.
IS THAT TRUE?
>> WELL, HE IS DEFINITELY THE
NUMBER ONE TARGETED REPUBLICAN
SENATOR IN THE COUNTRY.
IS HE GOING TO BREAK THE PROMISE
TO THE PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN WHEN
IN 2016 HE SAID HE WOULDN'T RUN
AGAIN AND GO D.C., BREAK YOUR
WORD AND RUN AGAIN.
IF HE RUNS AGAIN, HE'S GONE.
THE DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO TAKE
HIM OUT.
HE HAS GONE SO FAR DOWN THE
HALL, QANON RON.
HE IS TRAVELING IN EVERY
POSSIBLE -- THE INSURRECTION,
IT'S GHASTLY.
WISCONSIN DESERVES BETTER.
>> THERE IS THIS, SENATOR RON
JOHNSON SAYING HE WASN'T AFRAID
DURING THE JANUARY 6 CAPITOL
INSURRECTION, BUT HE WOULD HAVE
BEEN IF THE CROWD HAD BEEN BLACK
LIVES MATTER PROTESTORS.
>> ALL OF THE RIOTS OVER THE
SUMMER WERE VIOLENT IN NATURE,
WHETHER IT WAS IN ST. PAUL OR
PORTLAND OR KENOSHA OR
WAUWATOSA.
AND IN SOME CASES EVEN HERE IN
MADISON.
SO I THINK THAT'S WHAT HE WAS
POINTING TO, THAT THE RIOTS WE
SAWF ALL SUMMER WERE MORE
VIOLENT IN NATURE.
WHAT HAPPENED ON JANUARY 6 WAS
MORE ON THE RIGHT.
>> SCOT, FINAL WORD?
>> I THINK IT'S A CASE OF THE
REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS BEEN TAKEN
OVER BY RACISM.
WE SEE IT WITH RUSH LIMBAUGH
RESOLUTIONS IN WISCONSIN, WITH
EVERY SINGLE REPUBLICAN BUYING
INTO THE LIE THAT BECAUSE BLACK
PEOPLE VOTED JOE BIDEN IS NOT ON
THE PRESIDENT.
PEOPLE ARE GOING TO TURN AGAINST
THIS IN 2022.
>> I WANT TO ALLOW BILL TO MAKE
SOME COMMENT ON THAT.
>> REPUBLICANS WANT FREE AND
FAIR ELECTIONS.
THEY WANT THEM TO BE
TRANSPARENT.
YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT
CONTINUE HERE IN THE STATE OF
WISCONSIN AND ACROSS THIS
COUNTRY, WHERE YOU WANT MORE
TRANSPARENCY SO PEOPLE CAN BE
CONFIDENT IN THE OUTCOME.
>> WE NEED TO LEAVE IT THERE.
SORRY IT GOT KIND OF HEAVY, BUT
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, BILL
MCCOSHEN AND SCOT ROSS.
>> YOU BET.
>> THAT IS OUR PROGRAM THIS
WEEK.
LOOK FOR CONTINUING COVERAGE
ONLINE AT pbswisconsin.org AND
CLICK ON THE NEWS TAB.
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.
>> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS
PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR
JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS
WISCONSIN.