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.