Rep. Barca: Opioid treatment bills don’t go far enough

Contact: Olivia Hwang, 608.266.5504 MADISON – The following is a statement from Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca regarding bills debated today aimed at fighting the opioid epidemic: “I applaud the bipartisan effort that led to the acknowledgment of this serious epidemic, but these bills could have a much greater impact to positively affect so many lives. In order to help Wisconsinites struggling with opioid addiction, we need to increase funding for treatment programs and expand BadgerCare.” “Instead of working with Assembly Democrats, Republicans tried to shut down the debate. It’s time to put people over politics. We need to follow

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Rep. Nygren: Assembly approves nine bills to fight drug abuse addiction

Contact: Rep. John Nygren                                                                              (888) 534-0089   Madison – On Tuesday, State Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette) released the following statement regarding Assembly passage of a package of Special Session bills aimed at combatting drug abuse and addiction: “The nine Special Session bills approved today will have a great impact in Wisconsin as we continue to fight the prescription opioid epidemic. We’ve focused our efforts on expanding Treatment and Diversion (TAD) programs, improving access to wide-ranging addiction medicine opportunities, and partnering with law enforcement to fight drug trafficking. “I applaud Governor Walker for calling the Special Session on Opioid Abuse. While

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Rep. Rodriguez: Supports special session bills

Contact: Rep. Jessie Rodriguez                                                                                 (608) 266-0610                                      MADISON – On Tuesday evening, state Rep. Jessie Rodriguez (R-Oak Creek) voted in favor of several bills aimed at battling drug abuse and addiction, a crisis that is worsening across the country. The Assembly overwhelmingly approved all nine bills that will aid in treatment and prevention options. “The opioid and heroin epidemic has reached every corner of our state and my district is no different,” said Rodriguez. “I made it one of my priorities this session to support and develop legislation that helps put an end to this widespread issue.”  The legislation is

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Rep. Loudenbeck and Shankland: Community EMS Bill passes Assembly

CONTACT: Rep. Amy Loudenbeck [email protected] (608) 266-9967             Rep. Katrina Shankland [email protected] (608) 267-9649     Madison – Today, the Wisconsin State Assembly passed Assembly Bill 151 (AB 151), authored by Representative Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton) and Representative Katrina Shankland, (D-Stevens Point) by a bipartisan, unanimous vote. AB 151 will advance opportunities for non-emergency health care services to be provided in Wisconsin. AB 151 creates and defines community paramedics (CPs) and community emergency medical technicians (CEMTs). It will allow for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to operate in a non-emergency setting, under the medical direction of a physician, to provide treatment

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Sen. Larson: Don’t grant ‘forever’ access to Wisconsin groundwater

Senator Larson 608.266.7505                                                                        MADISON – Senator Chris Larson issued the following statement regarding SB 76 and the decision by Senate Democrats to reject a third reading on the bill. “The GOP is jamming through a bill that creates an oasis for the wealthy, and a desert for the rest of us. SB 76 creates high-capacity well permits with no consideration of future negative impacts. It will result in environmental damage, such as lakes, streams, and rivers running dry due to over pumping. It will let corporate factory farms suck dry the livelihood of neighboring family farmers,

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Rep. Kitchens: Statement on Assembly Legislative Session

Contact: Representative Joel Kitchens                                                                    (608) 266-5350     Madison– State Representative Joel Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay) released the following statement regarding today’s legislative floor session: “Today, the Assembly voted in bipartisan fashion on a number of bills brought forward by Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette). These bills, which were introduced as a part of a special session, will go a long way towards combating the opioid and heroin epidemic.

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Rep. Brandtjen: Joins assembly in passing HOPE agenda

For more information contact:                                                                                 Rep. Brandtjen- (608)267-2367   Madison- State Representative Janel Brandtjen (R- Menomonee Falls) today joined her Assembly colleagues in passing nine bills aimed at giving addicts and their families hope in their fight against opioid abuse. These bills are all part of Governor Walker’s Special Session on Opioid Abuse, called to combat the drug epidemic in the

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Sen. Carpenter: Stand up for clean water? No Budget hearing for you!

Madison – Today State Senator Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee) issued the following statement on the April 4thsession of the State Senate, where a bill (SB 76) is being debated on the further reducing of environmental regulations protecting the precious fresh water in our state. “I am informed that the Senate Majority Leader may be considering cancelling the only Joint Finance Committee budget hearing in Milwaukeetomorrow if the Senate Democrats do not roll over and allow the taking away of major environmental protections for fresh water, our most precious natural resource.  Any attempt at punishing state senators standing up for their constituents

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Milwaukee Alderman Bohl: Water Works appointment is on the mark

In a letter to Mayor Barrett that has received some media attention, a handful of my Common Council colleagues questioned the appointment of Jennifer Gonda as the new superintendent of the Milwaukee Water Works. I strongly disagree with that position, and actually I see the appointment of Ms. Gonda (by Ghassan Korban, commissioner of the Department of Public Works) as a bold move that will further enhance Milwaukee’s esteemed national reputation in water quality. As chair of the city’s Water Quality Task Force, I have the utmost confidence in Ms. Gonda’s abilities to guide the Water Works to continuing and

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Assembly passes nine special session bills on opioid abuse

Despite a contentious debate on several Dem amendments, the state Assembly today signed off on nine special session bills on opioid abuse. Dems sought to amend some of the bills to ensure the state accepts the Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, but Republicans said those amendments were brought to them at the last minute and charged them with fundraising off the debate as it was going on. Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette, said Republicans accepted several Dem amendments that they got ahead of time. He said he’s worked hard to talk to get Dem input on the bills he wrote,

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Senate to take up high-cap wells bill tomorrow morning

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow morning to continue discussion on a high-capacity wells bill after Dems objected to a third reading of the legislation this evening. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald proposed the 8 a.m. meeting time, which begins two hours before a Joint Finance Committee public hearing on the budget in West Allis. Senators voted 19-13 approving the recess, over some JFC Dems’ objections. The Senate today also approved a GOP amendment to the bill that would allow high-capacity well owners to face fewer state regulations, which likely clears the way for adoption by the Assembly in the future. The amendment, from

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Assembly battles over Medicaid expansion during opioid debate

Assembly Republicans are turning back an effort from Dems to accept the Medicaid expansion during today’s debate on several special session bills on opioid abuse. Republicans also charged Dems with fundraising off the debate, with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos saying it’s “disgusting” that Dems are “using this as a political issue to raise money.” They gave reporters an email from the ADCC sent this afternoon telling supporters that Republicans are refusing to “bring Wisconsin tax dollars back to our state to fund healthcare.” But Rep. Chris Taylor, D-Madison, said she thinks it’s “disgusting” that Republicans have refused to cover additional people under Medicaid and

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Acting U.S. Attorney Anderson: Indictment charging 8 individuals with distributing methamphetamine is unsealed 

Contact: Diane Schlipper, (608) 264-5158, TTY: (608) 264-5006 MADISON, WIS. – Jeffrey M. Anderson, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced today the unsealing of an indictment that charges eight individuals with various crimes related to the distribution of methamphetamine.  The indictment was returned by a federal grand jury sitting in Madison on March 29. The indictment charges the following individuals: 1.      Christopher Dutton, 43, Madison; 2.      Olivia Halvorson, 28, Browntown, Wis., 3.      James Nehls, 30, Iowa County, Wis.; 4.      Sean McLyman, 42, Madison; 5.      Brandon Frank, 42, Argyle, Wis.; 6.      Sean Brown, 33, Encino, Calif.; 7.      Amanda

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TUE PM Update: Senate, Assembly meet; State of the Tribes address

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — The owners of high-capacity wells would face fewer state regulations under legislation the Senate began debating late this afternoon. But it was unclear when a final vote could come, because Senate Dems planned to object to third reading. Tony Palese, a spokesman for Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling, D-La Crosse, said Dems were… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options. Username or E-mail Password * Remember Me     Forgot Password

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Rep. Barca: Opioid treatment bills don’t go far enough

Contact: Olivia Hwang, 608.266.5504 MADISON – The following is a statement from Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca regarding bills debated today aimed at fighting the opioid epidemic: “I applaud the bipartisan effort that led to the acknowledgment of this serious epidemic, but these bills could have a much greater impact

Read More »

Rep. Nygren: Assembly approves nine bills to fight drug abuse addiction

Contact: Rep. John Nygren                                                                              (888) 534-0089   Madison – On Tuesday, State Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette) released the following statement regarding Assembly passage of a package of Special Session bills aimed at combatting drug abuse and addiction: “The nine Special Session bills approved today will have a great impact in

Read More »

Rep. Rodriguez: Supports special session bills

Contact: Rep. Jessie Rodriguez                                                                                 (608) 266-0610                                      MADISON – On Tuesday evening, state Rep. Jessie Rodriguez (R-Oak Creek) voted in favor of several bills aimed at battling drug abuse and addiction, a crisis that is worsening across the country. The Assembly overwhelmingly approved all nine bills that will aid in

Read More »

Sen. Larson: Don’t grant ‘forever’ access to Wisconsin groundwater

Senator Larson 608.266.7505                                                                        MADISON – Senator Chris Larson issued the following statement regarding SB 76 and the decision by Senate Democrats to reject a third reading on the bill. “The GOP is jamming through a bill that creates an oasis for the wealthy, and a desert

Read More »

Sen. Carpenter: Stand up for clean water? No Budget hearing for you!

Madison – Today State Senator Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee) issued the following statement on the April 4thsession of the State Senate, where a bill (SB 76) is being debated on the further reducing of environmental regulations protecting the precious fresh water in our state. “I am informed that the Senate Majority

Read More »

Milwaukee Alderman Bohl: Water Works appointment is on the mark

In a letter to Mayor Barrett that has received some media attention, a handful of my Common Council colleagues questioned the appointment of Jennifer Gonda as the new superintendent of the Milwaukee Water Works. I strongly disagree with that position, and actually I see the appointment of Ms. Gonda (by

Read More »

Assembly passes nine special session bills on opioid abuse

Despite a contentious debate on several Dem amendments, the state Assembly today signed off on nine special session bills on opioid abuse. Dems sought to amend some of the bills to ensure the state accepts the Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, but Republicans said those amendments were brought to

Read More »

Senate to take up high-cap wells bill tomorrow morning

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow morning to continue discussion on a high-capacity wells bill after Dems objected to a third reading of the legislation this evening. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald proposed the 8 a.m. meeting time, which begins two hours before a Joint Finance Committee public hearing on the budget in West

Read More »

Assembly battles over Medicaid expansion during opioid debate

Assembly Republicans are turning back an effort from Dems to accept the Medicaid expansion during today’s debate on several special session bills on opioid abuse. Republicans also charged Dems with fundraising off the debate, with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos saying it’s “disgusting” that Dems are “using this as a political issue to raise money.”

Read More »

Acting U.S. Attorney Anderson: Indictment charging 8 individuals with distributing methamphetamine is unsealed 

Contact: Diane Schlipper, (608) 264-5158, TTY: (608) 264-5006 MADISON, WIS. – Jeffrey M. Anderson, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced today the unsealing of an indictment that charges eight individuals with various crimes related to the distribution of methamphetamine.  The indictment was returned by a federal grand

Read More »

TUE PM Update: Senate, Assembly meet; State of the Tribes address

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — The owners of high-capacity wells would face fewer state regulations under legislation the Senate began debating late this afternoon. But it was unclear when a final vote could come, because Senate Dems planned to object to third reading. Tony Palese, a spokesman

Read More »