Morning Update: Thursday, Sept. 23

What's up in City Council?

Good morning, Madison!

Happy Thursday, friends. We're almost through another week. But first, we've got lots of news to get into.

— Hayley

🏢 The latest from City Council.

COVID-19 relief: On Tuesday, the council voted to accept another $6.1 million for additional emergency rental assistance to help Madisonians struggling to make rent. According to the Cap Times, once this next round of funding comes in, the city will have received $39.1 million from the U.S. Treasury Department for rental assistance.
Non-union worker raises: Also on Tuesday, the council adopted a resolution that will increase the wages of all non-union city workers by at least 6% over three years. From the State Journal: "nonunion workers are scheduled to receive 1% raises on Jan. 1, 2022, Jan. 1, 2023, and July 1, 2023, and a 3% raise on Jan. 1, 2024. Each 1% wage increase costs about $1.4 million."
Redistricting concerns: Following the release of the 2020 census, city staff were put to work drawing new aldermanic district maps to ensure each district has roughly the same population size. There's worry, however, that the new district map will split up the student population, raising concerns over representation. City Planner Ben Zeller told WORT that the proposed changes to the heavily-student-populated district 8 is the result of an overall population increase on the isthmus. The redistricting process should be complete by November, then it heads to the County Board. You can make your voice heard on this issue by submitting all comments to redistricting@cityofmadison.com.
Cat declawing: Ald. Lindsay Lemmer of the 3rd District has proposed a ban on cat declawing (except when the procedure is medically necessary or considered to be best for the cat). If approved, anyone who violates the rule could face a $2,000 fine. It's widely accepted today that declawing cats is an unnecessary procedure that can lead to many unintended consequences for the cat. According to the State Journal, several countries have outlawed the practice, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Brazil, Israel, Australia, and New Zealand.

Did I include the story about cat declawing just to use this photo of Billie Jo in the newsletter? Maybe. Am I sorry? No.

🇦🇫 Federal officials are gearing up to get Afghan refugees out of army bases and into the world.

It's been four weeks since evacuees from Afghanistan made their way to Wisconsin's Fort McCoy. Now, slowly but surely, U.S. State Department officials are working to get the refugees settled in their new homes. The timeline for resettlement is so far pretty vague, WPR reports. Right now officials are working to ensure that all refugees have sponsors in their new communities. If you're interested in volunteering to become a sponsor, click here.
Related: A group of local Madison musicians are hosting a benefit concert this Saturday at Orton Park to raise fund for Afghan refugees.

⚖️ The Wisconsin Supreme Court will take on GOP-backed redistricting lawsuit.

In a 4-3 ruling, the state Supreme Court sided with conservative law firm WILL in taking on the case of Wisconsin's redistricting maps. There's also a Democratic-backed lawsuit in progress in federal court.
- Some context from AP: "The lawsuits ask that courts establish a plan to draw new lines in the likely event that the GOP-controlled Legislature and Evers, a Democrat, don’t agree on new maps. Republicans think their chances are best in state courts. [...] Democrats are putting their hopes in federal court, arguing that makes more sense because that’s where past redistricting disputes under divided governments in 1982, 1992 and 2002 were resolved."
The Legislature has yet to produce any redistricting map, let alone submit one for approval.

💰 The mayor of Fitchburg wants to be the next State Treasurer.

Mayor Aaron Richardson announced his candidacy Wednesday. Richardson is running as a Democrat to succeed current treasurer Sarah Godlewski, a fellow Democrat who is leaving the post to pursue a U.S. Senate seat.

🦠 An update on COVID-19 in Wisconsin.

Hospitals are filling up: Less than 5% of the state's ICU beds are available, WPR reports. DHS Secretary Karen Timberlake said Wisconsin's hospitals are "feeling the strain" of a surge of new coronavirus infections, largely due to the highly contagious delta variant.
- Related: COVID-19 case rates in Wisconsin highest among school-age children (via Wisconsin State Journal)
Vaccine requirements: Monona Grove School District announced that all staff must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by the start of December. The Madison Metropolitan School District is also working on a plan that requires employee vaccination.
- Related: "It was really heartbreaking:" Madison West students respond to email canceling dance with petition (via Channel 3000)
  - TL;DR: School officials said the email was sent prematurely and contained inaccurate information. The status of the dances still isn't certain but so far the district is not recommending cancelation.

🙏 Your lunchtime read: Madison and America have outgrown the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

From Tone Madison: "This lifelong atheist and Madisonian doesn't need the out-of-touch local organization, and neither do you."

🥕 PSA: The Dane County Farmers' Market will be held at Breese Stevens Field this weekend.

The market is moving to make room for Art Fair on the Square.
Breese Stevens’ Field will be operating their concessions stands and masks will be required in any indoor spaces, including restrooms.