Countdown to a smoke-free Wisconsin

Next month Wisconsin will be smoke-free. On July 5, the ban on smoking in all Wisconsin workplaces-including restaurants and bars-will go into effect. Currently, there are 37 different communities with smoke-free ordinances. This legislation establishes a level playing field for all businesses in Wisconsin.

Nonsmokers are contracting lung cancer at alarming rates due to increased, and unwanted, exposure to secondhand smoke. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke increase their risk of contracting heart disease and lung cancer by 20-30 percent. Restaurant and bar employees are more likely to be subjected to unwanted exposure to secondhand smoke than other workers.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Burden of Tobacco Report (2006), nearly 16 percent of all annual deaths in Wisconsin are directly attributable to cigarette smoking. In addition, $2.16 billion is paid annually in Wisconsin direct health care costs. Clearing the air of secondhand smoke will save lives, and decrease the overall cost of health care in our state.

The Smoke Free Wisconsin Act was endorsed by a diverse coalition of public health and business groups that include the Tavern League of Wisconsin, Smoke Free Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Restaurant Association, Taverns Clearing the Air, the Wisconsin Medical Society, the American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, and the American Heart Association. Twenty-five other states, including Midwestern neighbors like Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois, have passed similar legislation.

In the last days of the legislative session we passed a small change to the smoking ban to clarify that indoor smoking is prohibited and that smoking areas protected from the elements can be erected next to bars and restaurants. This legislation enjoyed bipartisan support in both the Assembly and the Senate. This was truly a bipartisan victory for everyone in Wisconsin!

Jon Richards is the state representative for Wisconsin’s 19th state Assembly District, which includes Bay View, the Third Ward, eastern downtown, and the East Side. His website is jonrichards.org. He can be reached at (888) 534-0019 or rep.richards@legis.wi.gov.

Investing in our green economy

Going green is not only good for the environment, but also for the bottom line. Going green can create new jobs in the clean energy sector-an industry with enormous growth potential. While many of Wisconsin’s manufacturers are focused on creating jobs and staying competitive in this tough market, allowing employers to save money on the cost of energy keeps Wisconsin businesses more competitive and more profitable.

Wisconsin businesses want to invest in energy efficiency. Last month I attended an event with AT&T Wisconsin where they announced the deployment of their first Compressed Natural Gas vehicles in Wisconsin. I was proud to stand with AT&T and support their effort to invest in cleaner domestic alternative fuel vehicles. The deployment of these 42 vans that service the Milwaukee area will cut down on the amount of carbon dioxide emissions and ultimately make the air we breathe healthier and reduce our reliance on foreign sources of energy.

In order to help more businesses like AT&T invest in cleaner, renewable energy, I worked to pass legislation that gives Wisconsin employers the tools they need to jumpstart these efforts. The legislation created a one-stop shop for Wisconsin manufacturers that are seeking to take advantage of state and federal green energy assistance programs and resources.

In addition to this legislation, I worked to advance the Clean Energy Jobs Act. Four years ago, Wisconsin became one of the first states to enact renewable portfolio standards, reducing our dependence on foreign fuels and creating jobs. As a result, we have seen rapid expansion in renewable energy production and major growth in clean energy jobs. The Clean Energy Jobs Act failed to pass the legislature this year; however, I will continue to fight to bring this idea to fruition.

Every year, Wisconsin sends $16 billion out of our state to power our homes and businesses and fuel our vehicles. The Clean Energy Jobs Act will help reduce our dependence on foreign fuels and make sure that Wisconsin does not miss out on the opportunity to have a piece of the emerging clean energy job market.

Last month we celebrated the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Now is a good time to reflect on how far we have come in the fight to protect our environment. I will continue to work toward developing new and innovative ways of assisting businesses to create jobs and help keep our environment clean for generations to come.

Jon Richards is the state representative for Wisconsin’s 19th state Assembly District, which includes Bay View, the Third Ward, eastern downtown, and the East Side. His website is jonrichards.org. He can be reached at (888) 534-0019 or rep.richards@legis.wi.gov.

Tax credits can reduce your tax bill

As the income tax deadline draws near, please make use of ways to make this time of year less difficult. The state of Wisconsin has assistance available to those having difficulty completing their 2009 taxes.

The deadline for completing your 2009 taxes is April 15, 2010. Extensions are available for those who cannot meet this deadline. Please contact the Wisconsin Department of Revenue at (608) 266-8641 or visit their website at revenue.wi.gov. For information regarding federal tax returns, visit the U.S. Internal Revenue Service website at irs.gov.

Be sure to reduce your tax burden by taking advantage of tax credits offered by the state of Wisconsin. Wisconsin offers the Earned Income Tax Credit. If you qualify, your family could receive a combined state and federal tax credit of $8,090 if you have three or more children, $5,732 if you have two children, and $3,165 if you have one child. To qualify, your income must not exceed $48,279 and you must have been a legal Wisconsin resident for the duration of 2009.

You might also be eligible for the Wisconsin Homestead Credit. If you qualify, you could receive up to $1,160 in tax credits. In order to qualify for the Homestead Credit, you must be a legal Wisconsin resident, over the age of 18, your 2009 income must be less than $24,500 and you must have owned or rented your homestead for all of 2009.

Be sure to mention these tax incentive programs to your tax preparer or contact the Wisconsin Department of Revenue if you have any questions. Also, please feel free to contact my office at (888) 534-0019 if you would like information about free preparation services in and around Bay View. Please make use of these ways to make this time of year a little less difficult.

Jon Richards is the state representative for Wisconsin’s 19th state Assembly District, which includes Bay View, the Third Ward, eastern downtown, and the East Side. His website is jonrichards.org. He can be reached at (888) 534-0019 or rep.richards@legis.wi.gov.

Cracking down on predatory payday loan lenders

Last month the state Assembly passed legislation to crack down on the practice of predatory payday lending in Wisconsin. I have been a longtime advocate for capping the interest rate that these loan companies can charge consumers. However, that idea did not garner enough support among my colleagues. The final language of the bill offers meaningful consumer protection and gained wide bipartisan support.

The Responsible Lending Act, as the legislation has been dubbed, bans auto-title loans; caps loans at a maximum of $600 or 35 percent of the borrower’s biweekly income, whichever is less; and restricts the practice of rollovers. A rollover happens when a borrower does not have the money to repay the loan when it comes due. The borrower then makes another loan to pay back the first one. These rollovers trap people in a cycle of debt, all too often leaving them in financial ruin. This bill goes a long way toward protecting people against these unfair practices.

In addition to these restrictions, the bill provides borrowers the option of repaying the outstanding debt over four equal payments, without incurring any additional penalties or fees. This will help make repayment of these loans more manageable for many people. Loan companies must also disclose the interest rates and fees that are associated with the payday loan.

All of these provisions are a step in the right direction to rein in this predatory industry. The national financial crisis has been fueled in part by a lack of regulatory oversight of the financial industry. In Wisconsin, the payday loan industry has exploded over the last 15 years from just two payday stores in 1995 to over 500 in 2008. This legislation cracks down on a system that prioritizes the profit of loan sharks over the protection of consumers. Wisconsin will no longer be fertile ground for predatory payday loan companies to do business.

Jon Richards is the state representative for Wisconsin’s 19th state Assembly District, which includes Bay View, the Third Ward, eastern downtown, and the East Side. His website is jonrichards.org. He can be reached at (888) 534-0019 or rep.richards@legis.wi.gov.

Milwaukee’s economy improving in 2010

We have all seen the effects of this bad economy on our daily lives. Many of us know someone who has lost a job. Many people took a hit in the stock market. Many of our friends and neighbors are finding it difficult to find good-paying employment. While the environment for economic growth and improvement has been sobering recently, there are signs that 2010 will be a year of recovery.

One of the most exciting areas of growth in Milwaukee has been in the freshwater industry. In this year’s budget, I worked with Governor Doyle and my colleagues in the legislature to secure the largest single investment the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has ever seen. This investment focuses on UWM’s expansion of both the Schools of Freshwater Sciences and of Public Health. The money also will provide for a new research facility for the Engineering School.

We are also beginning to see the results of some of the economic innovation we in the legislature used in the state budget to help get Wisconsin back on track economically. We created tax credits to reward employers when they move jobs to Wisconsin or keep manufacturing jobs here.

We have seen two airlines at Mitchell International expand their presence in the region and add jobs. Bucyrus International has also announced it will add up to 500 new jobs to the Milwaukee area. I am confident these success stories will be replicated in 2010 both in Milwaukee and throughout Wisconsin.

Our economy is not out of the woods yet. But, things are turning around. We in the Assembly are currently working on adding green jobs to our state’s economy. This month we began considering promising new initiatives that will create the groundwork for growing Milwaukee’s capacity to build the next generation of equipment that either saves energy or creates energy without burning fossil fuels. We have also formed a bipartisan group of business leaders and workforce representatives to develop creative solutions on how to grow Wisconsin’s economy. In 2010 we need to build on the successes of 2009 to attract new companies to Wisconsin and Milwaukee and expand world-class jobs in our city.

Jon Richards is the state representative for Wisconsin’s 19th state Assembly District, which includes Bay View, the Third Ward, eastern downtown, and the East Side. His website is jonrichards.org. He can be reached at (888) 534-0019 or rep.richards@legis.wi.gov.

Asian carp invasion threatens Lake Michigan

During our recent extraordinary session, the state Assembly passed a resolution formally requesting that Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen take legal action to prevent Asian carp from invading Lake Michigan from the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. I authored the resolution along with my colleague from Door County, Representative Garey Bies.

Also in December, Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox filed a lawsuit before the U.S. Supreme Court to force the state of Illinois and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to close the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal until the Asian carp infestation has been eliminated. The resolution passed by the Wisconsin Assembly authorizes AG Van Hollen to intervene on behalf of the state of Wisconsin in this case. Currently, the only measure stopping the carp now is an electric barrier operating at half strength.

As has been widely reported, these fish are enormous. They can grow up to four feet long and weigh up to 100 pounds. These monsters can consume up to 20 percent of their body mass in food every day. If Asian carp get into Lake Michigan, they will almost certainly destroy the natural habitat for the salmon, trout, bass, and perch of the Great Lakes. This will be detrimental to the $7 billion Great Lakes fishing industry. We cannot allow this to happen.  »Read more

Fresh ideas for improving our schools

In October, I stood with Governor Doyle, Mayor Barrett, and many other elected leaders and community members to support a compromise that would change the governance structure of the Milwaukee Public Schools. This is an important first step in what I hope is a frank and open discussion about the future of our public schools here in Milwaukee.

The challenges that face Milwaukee schools are no secret. Test scores lag behind national and state averages. The racial achievement gap between black students and white students is one of the largest in the entire United States. High school graduation rates are dismal. Drastic changes are needed to ensure that our kids have the tools they need to compete with those in other communities around Wisconsin, our nation, and the entire world.  »Read more

County parks running out of time

The Milwaukee County Parks were once the envy of the nation. Historically, the system’s over 140 parks and 15,000 acres of land have been a source of pride for our community for over 100 years.

Unfortunately, they have fallen into disrepair in recent years. One concrete example of the dire fiscal state of the Parks Department is seen when evaluating the overall department budget in 1986 compared to the 2009 allotted budget. In 1986, the overall operating budget was over $45 million, while the budget for 2009-23 years later-was reduced to just over $43 million. These numbers, when adjusted for inflation, are depressing.

In 1986, the overall operating budget was over $45 million, while the budget for 2009-23 years later-was reduced to just over $43 million.  »Read more

Wisconsin still working on health care reform

Health care reform has been the hot topic at the federal level over the past couple of months. We are also still working on health care reform here in Wisconsin.

Honoring End-of-Life Decisions

End-of-life care decisions are very personal and often very difficult. In the absence of any expressed preference from the patient, family members are left to anguish over what sort of care should or should not be administered. I have convened a diverse working group to explore implementation of Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) protocols in our hospitals and clinics. A POLST form is used in addition to advanced directives and durable power of attorney for health care to ensure that a patient’s wishes are followed as they relate to end-of-life care.

Electronic Medical Records

For years health care organizations have invested substantial resources to implement electronic medical records (EMR) systems, which theoretically improve access to accurate and up-to-date medical records. Currently, EMR stay within a particular clinical setting or health network. To maximize the usefulness of EMR, providers need to have the ability to share information between hospitals, emergency rooms, and clinical settings outside of a defined network.

To speed this process along, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services is working on a plan to create a centralized database that can be used by health care organizations from around the state to access certain information from a patient’s medical record. Their plan, which is expected to come before my Health and Health Care Reform Committee, will achieve this goal by creating a database called the Wisconsin Health Information Exchange. The exchange will both protect patient privacy and help translate information between different EMR systems.

Transparency

With the growing switch to “consumer driven” health plans, like Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), it is important to get health care providers to post prices on specific procedures and office visits. I am currently working with Democrats and Republicans on legislation to require health providers to post cost information. There are many ideas on the table, and it is my hope that a plan will be referred to my committee for action this fall.

Jon Richards is the state representative for Wisconsin’s 19th state Assembly District, which includes Bay View, the Third Ward, eastern downtown, and the East Side. His website is jonrichards.org. He can be reached at (888) 534-0019 or rep.richards@legis.wi.gov.

New BadgerCare Plus program

Health care coverage and access has taken center stage in national debate, with the president working with Congress, health care providers, insurance companies, and consumers to find a national solution to the crisis we’re facing. There are over 40 million people in America without any health insurance. In Wisconsin, however, we have worked to ensure that access to basic health services is provided for as many of our residents as possible.

The BadgerCare program has extended coverage of health services to uninsured children and their parents. BadgerCare Plus broadened this program to cover pregnant women and family planning services. These programs have been indispensable to families who do not have the means to pay for rising health care costs. This year I am proud to have worked with the Department of Health Services and my colleagues in the Assembly to extend coverage to childless adults under the BadgerCare Plus Core Plan.  »Read more

Highs and lows for Milwaukee in budget

Last month the Wisconsin Senate and Assembly passed the 2009-11 biennial budget. This budget called for hard compromises as we worked to fix the record $6.6 billion shortfall that Wisconsin faced this biennium.

While there were some low points of the budget for Milwaukee, there were some high points as well for economic development and job creation in our region.

There was some great news in the budget for Milwaukee with the approval of investment in University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, which included money for a new research vessel and facilities for the new School of Freshwater Sciences, the School of Public Health in downtown Milwaukee, and new research facilities for the Engineering School.

Milwaukee can be a national center for better, higher paying jobs and this funding is a key investment into making this a reality. This is the largest single investment in UWM ever and a major vote of confidence in Milwaukee’s future.

I worked with my colleagues in Milwaukee and across Wisconsin to honor the voters’ decision to remove the transit and parks in Milwaukee County from the property tax burden and create a 1-percent sales tax to cover the costs of fixing our ailing transit and parks systems in Milwaukee County.

Unfortunately the 0.35-percent increase in sales tax for Milwaukee County Parks was removed in compromises between the Senate and Assembly. I was disappointed when the governor also removed the 0.5-percent increase for transit funding and 0.15-percent increase for emergency services.

We must recognize that good parks and transit systems will draw people to our area to live and create jobs. I will continue to work to ensure that these two things receive all the resources they need in order to survive and thrive.

Although it was difficult budget, I am proud that we were able to deliver some of the resources Milwaukee needs to continue to grow and become a world-class city, and I will continue to work to deliver these resources and opportunities to Milwaukee.

Jon Richards is the state representative for Wisconsin’s 19th state Assembly District, which includes Bay View, the Third Ward, eastern downtown, and the East Side. His website is jonrichards.org. He can be reached at (888) 534-0019 or rep.richards@legis.wisconsin.gov.

July 8 parks & transit funding listening session hosted by Rep. Richards, Rep. Sinicki, and Senator Plale

Dear Neighbor,

Please join me, Representative Chris Sinicki and Senator Jeff Plale at a listening session this Wednesday, July 8, 2009, to discuss regional parks and transit funding. Please find the information below and attached to this email. I hope to see you there!

Listening Session to Discuss Regional Parks and Transit Funding with Representative Jon Richards, Representative Chris Sinicki and Senator Jeff Plale.

South Shore Park Pavilion
2900 South Shore Drive
Wednesday, July 8th
6:00pm - 8:00pm

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments about this or any other issue either by submitting a comment on my website at www.jonrichards.org or by emailing me at Rep.Richards@legis.wi.gov . Please stay in touch.

Sincerely,

Representative Jon Richards
19th Assembly District

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