Study shows Wisconsin better off with health care reform

Rep. Richards Asks Justice Department to Launch Investigation into Redistricting Secrecy
Today Rep. Jon Richards asked the state Justice Department to launch an investigation into the secretive process legislative leaders used to draw the redistricting maps that are being challenged in federal court.
Walker puts dagger in plan for better health care coverage and lower costs
In his recent decision to halt implementation of a health insurance exchange, Gov. Scott Walker announced yesterday that his administration has now turned down a $37 million federal grant intended to help get the exchange up and running.
Walker’s Administration states his budget is not balanced
Contradicting repeated claims by Gov. Walker that he has balanced the state budget, his administration told federal health officials late last month in writing that Wisconsin has a budget deficit so it could drop health care for Wisconsin families.
Richards’ records sharing bill gives justice system tools to keep violent youth off the street
Fewer violent teenagers would be given a free pass to commit further crimes under a juvenile records sharing bill unveiled today by Rep. Jon Richards
Rep. Richards seeks to reverse high prosecutor turnover
This week I unveiled a bi-partisan bill to restore a pay progression plan for state prosecutors.

Mining Bill Unveiled
A mining bill was unveiled today at a State Capitol news conference. It would streamline Wisconsin’s mine permitting process and was written specifically for an out-of-state mining company that wants to build an open pit iron mine in Northern Wisconsin.
Meeting Tuesday night about Hoan Bridge bike lane
"There is a great deal of support for a bike lane over the Hoan Bridge. It's something we've been talking about for more than a decade," said Rep. Richards.
Rep. Richards to host meeting Aug. 23 on Hoan Bridge bike lane
Prospects for a bike and pedestrian lane on the Hoan Bridge have shifted from no to maybe, and residents have been invited to share their views at a neighborhood meeting in Bay View on Aug. 23.
Same rules for all
The state Supreme Court has said it cannot enforce the open meetings law against the Legislature. So let's change the state constitution to give the courts the necessary authority.
Amendment would hold state Legislature to open meetings law
Madison - The Legislature would be subject to the state's open meetings law under a proposed amendment to the state constitution unveiled by Assembly Democrats on Thursday.

2/9/2012Rep. Richards Asks Justice Department to Launch Investigation into Redistricting Secrecy
Today Rep. Jon Richards asked the state Justice Department to launch an investigation into the secretive process legislative leaders used to draw the redistricting maps that are being challenged in federal court.
1/19/2012Walker puts dagger in plan for better health care coverage and lower costs
In his recent decision to halt implementation of a health insurance exchange, Gov. Scott Walker announced yesterday that his administration has now turned down a $37 million federal grant intended to help get the exchange up and running.
1/18/2012Walker’s Administration states his budget is not balanced
Contradicting repeated claims by Gov. Walker that he has balanced the state budget, his administration told federal health officials late last month in writing that Wisconsin has a budget deficit so it could drop health care for Wisconsin families.
1/17/2012Richards’ records sharing bill gives justice system tools to keep violent youth off the street
Fewer violent teenagers would be given a free pass to commit further crimes under a juvenile records sharing bill unveiled today by Rep. Jon Richards
1/13/2012Rep. Richards seeks to reverse high prosecutor turnover
This week I unveiled a bi-partisan bill to restore a pay progression plan for state prosecutors.
1/10/2012Rep. Richards Unveils Bill to Provide More Court Options for Serious Youth Shooting Cases
Rep. Jon Richards today unveiled a bill to add reckless injury and recklessly endangering safety offenses to the long list of serious crimes that courts can use for placing adolescents in a program for serious juvenile offenders.
1/3/2012Gov. Walker jeopardizes Wisconsin’s commitment to affordable, quality health care
Gov. Scott Walker was inaugurated one year ago today. Rep. Jon Richards (D-Milwaukee) released the following statement marking the occasion.
12/28/2011Rep. Richards Applauds Plan to Lift Family Care Enrollment Cap
Today Governor Scott Walker announced a plan to lift the Family Care enrollment cap and expand the program to new counties. In response, Rep. Jon Richards (D-Milwaukee) issued the following statement.
12/20/2011Audit Debunks Myth of Widespread Fraud in Medicaid
Today the non-partisan Legislative Audit Bureau released a comprehensive audit of Wisconsin’s Medical Assistance program.
12/16/2011Milwaukee legislators disappointed DOT ignores support for Hoan Bridge bike lane
Today, Reps. Jon Richards expressed his disappointment with the DOT's decision not to include a bike and pedestrian path on the Hoan Bridge as part of the bridge restoration project scheduled to begin in 2012.
12/15/2011Gov. Walker's extreme agenda is not working
Rep. Jon Richards (D-Milwaukee) and Rep. Brett Hulsey (D-Madison) issued the following statement today after the devastating news that Wisconsin lost another 14,600 jobs in November.
12/7/2011Health Insurance Accountability Act, Getting Value for Your Premium Dollar
Today I unveiled a bill with Senator Jon Erpenbach that would ensure that Wisconsin health insurance customers get good value for their premiums.
11/17/2011Gov. Walker’s plan to drop health care for 29,000 children is “unacceptable”
Today legislative Democrats urged the Obama Administration to work with state officials to prevent 65,000 Wisconsinites from losing health care.
11/10/2011Budget panel approves Gov. Walker's plan to cut health care for 29,000 children
The Joint Finance Committee today approved a Walker administration plan that would result in nearly 65,000 people—including 29,000 children—being dropped from state health care coverage.
11/4/2011More Job Losses Cap off Governor Walker’s Special Jobless Session
A Milwaukee vehicle parts manufacturer announced Thursday it is closing and taking 165 family-supporting jobs to Kentucky.
11/2/2011Walker administration keeps plan to cut health care secret from federal government
Gov. Walker’s administration has made virtually no effort to contact or work with the federal health officials who need to sign off on the plan to cut health care by over $500 million.
10/27/2011DOT releases report on feasibility of adding a bike lane to the Hoan Bridge
Today the Department of Transportation (DOT) released a report on the feasibility of adding a bike and pedestrian lane to the Hoan Bridge on Milwaukee’s lakefront.
10/26/2011Insurance companies to spend less on health care and more on overhead under Walker Administration plan
Gov. Walker's administration is seeking permission to allow Wisconsin health insurance companies to escape a law requiring health insurers to spend at least 80 cents of every dollar collected in their customer’s premiums on medical care.
10/5/2011Rep. Richards, Assembly Democrats announce Senior Citizen Protection Act
Today, Rep. Richards and several of his Assembly Democratic colleagues announced the Senior Citizen Protection Act, which would restore certain legal rights for the victims – and families of victims – of nursing home abuse and neglect.
9/30/2011Walker administration balances budget on the backs of struggling families
Rep. Richards released the following statement after state Health Services Secretary announced his plans for making $554 million in cuts to the state’s health care programs for eligible seniors, children, families and people with disabilities.
9/27/2011Disbandment of the Special Committee on Health Care Reform
"We received word via letter today that the co-chairs of the Joint Legislative Council have decided to disband the Special Committee on Health Care Reform Implementation."
9/14/2011State government needs to comply with the open meetings law now
Today I unveiled a proposal to immediately close a legal loophole that allows the legislature to do as it pleases when it comes to open meetings.
8/24/2011Study shows Wisconsin better off with health care reform
Rep. Richards and Sen. Erpenbach issued a statement today highlighting the fact that 340,000 Wisconsin residents will get insurance who didn’t have it before under federal health care reform.
8/17/2011Rep. Richards and 30 colleagues urge state health secretary to support federal health grants
Today, Rep. Jon Richards and 30 of his colleagues strongly urged state Health Secretary Dennis Smith to aggressively pursue federal abuse prevention and health care access grants.
7/21/2011Rep. Richards supports Milwaukee Streetcar
Rep. Jon Richards and Sen. Chris Larson urge the Milwaukee Common Council to support the Milwaukee Streetcar project.
7/13/2011Health secretary’s turn-around on public health grants welcome news
Reps. Jon Richards (D-Milwaukee) and Sandy Pasch (D-Whitefish Bay) issued the following statements today upon receiving news that state Health Services Secretary Dennis Smith has reversed his original decision to oppose public health grant applications...
7/7/2011Reps. Richards and Barca propose amending the constitution to close legislature's loophole in open meetings law
Today, Rep. Jon Richards and Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca introduced a constitutional amendment to close a loophole in Wisconsin's open meetings law.

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