Politics - May 8, 2009
Smoking debate leaves a few burning questions
Arguments aside, the way leading lawmakers handled the issue of a potential statewide smoking ban in taverns and restaurants this week was not in the spirit of a more transparent government. The two committee chairman handling the bill -- Jon Erpenbach and Jon Richards -- gave a just a shade more than the required 24-hour notice before holding a hearing and then voting on the bill. With the Democrats now in control of the dome, it's expected that the ban will sail through the Legislature swimmingly.
Tags: wisconsin, smoking ban, bob donovan, jon erpenbach, jon richards, jim doyle

Politics - May 5, 2009
A state-wide smoking ban could be close
It's possible that a bill for a state-wide smoking ban could be heading to Gov. Doyle's desk as soon as next Wednesday, May 13, according to State Rep. Jon Richards (D-Milwaukee).
Tags: smoking ban, smoke-free, jon richards, smoke free wisconsin, second hand smoke

Politics - Nov. 19, 2008
Spring election sprint gets underway
Just when you thought it was safe to turn on the TV and avoid political commercials, it's time for the spring elections -- with a state Supreme Court race and several county judicial races -- to get underway. The Supreme Court race pretty much started this week when Jefferson County Circuit Judge Randy R. Koschnick fulfilled expectations that he would announce his campaign to attempt to unseat Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson.
Tags: Shirley Abrahamson, Randy R. Koschnick, Louis Butler, Miek Gableman, Jon Richards, Grant Langley, sick leave referendum

Politics - Jan. 11, 2008
Interchange rebuild could turn into a zoo
Just as drivers see the light at the end of the tunnel known as the Marquette Interchange reconstruction, state Department of Transportation officials want area residents to start thinking about an expanded Zoo Interchange.
Tags: Van Hollen, 3rd District, Furaj, D'Amato, DOT, Zoo Interchange, Waukesha Manufacturing, Ed Flynn, Milwaukee Police Accountability Coalition, Dennis Conta, McGovern-Rowen, Jon Richards, Josh Zepnick, Clean Sweep Wisconsin, Patrick Flaherty, Democrat, Repub

Politics - Sept. 7, 2007
Healthy Wisconsin deserves healthy debate
Allow me to encourage you to attend the next Milwaukee Press Club Newsmaker Luncheon, which will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 12. The forum is titled, "Healthy Wisconsin: Effective Reform or a Burdensome New Tax?"
Tags: healthcare, press club, Jon Richards, David Riemer, Leah Vukmir, Richard Blomquist