Melissa Agard

Bipartisan Group of Legislators and AG Kaul Propose Legislation to Prevent Future Backlog of Untested Sexual Assault Kits

"The legislation we’re proposing today, which is supported by nurses, law enforcement, advocates for survivors, and a bipartisan group of legislators, sends a clear message: Wisconsin must never have another backlog of untested sexual assault kits."

Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order #19 Relating to the Creation of the Committee to Celebrate the Centennial Anniversary of Wisconsin’s Ratification of the 19th Amendment

Gov. Evers today designated Mrs. Kathy Evers as the Chairwoman of the Executive Committee.

Advocates of Legal Pot Still Face Hurdles

Public support growing but GOP leaders oppose Evers' plan to legalize medical marijuana and possession of small amounts.

Healthy Women, Healthy Babies Program Overdue

State’s black infant mortality rate is worst in the nation, this bill addresses problem.

Larson Bills Reform Campaign Finance

Would reduce donation limits, increase transparency requirements.

Republicans May Oppose Medical Marijuana

Vos, Steineke say Evers’ support for full legalization has poisoned the discussion.

Rep. Sargent Pushes Campaign Reform

Democratic proposal would add restrictions on campaign donations.

Gerrymander Caused Women Assembly Losses?

27 women Democrats running for Assembly lost, women leaders point to gerrymandering.

Will Referendums Lead to Legal Pot?

Some legislators hope for change after medical or fully legai pot approved in 18 local referendums.

Democratic Program Recruits Women Candidates

Emerge program’s training give women the confidence to run for office.

Both Parties Weak on Clergy Sex Abuse

Yes, Matt Flynn has a bad record on the issue but so does Sen. Ron Johnson.

Survivors of Clergy Sex Abuse Call on Sheldon Lubar, District Attorney John Chisholm, and Flynn Donors to Urge Flynn to Drop Out of Wisconsin Governor’s Race

Milwaukee area priest Domenic Roscioli to join SNAP founding member Peter Isely for 11:30am press conference at Archbishop Weakland Center (831 N Van Buren St.)

Why Flynn Should Withdraw From Race

And why two Democratic legislators felt they must oppose Matt Flynn for governor.

Reps. Taylor and Sargent Call on Matt Flynn to Withdraw from Governor’s Race

Files detail Flynn’s involvement covering up child sexual abuse by Catholic priests

No Choice in 36% of Legislative Races

Gerrymandering and decline in number of candidates leaves 2.5 million residents with no choice.

Should State Divest Gun Stocks?

Wisconsin pension fund invests in companies making guns that kill students.

Rep. Sargent Statement on Child Tax Rebate and Annual Sales Tax Holiday

"This is a one-time sales tax holiday and a one-time $100-check to be delivered right before an election—if that doesn’t scream ‘election-year gimmick,’ I don’t know what does."

GOP Legislative Districts Heavily White

Republican assembly districts are up to 96% white, senate districts as high as 95% white.

Republican Bill Second-Guesses, Restricts Local Governments

Assembly bill would add restrictions to local governments raising money for transportation projects

Don’t Legalize Marijuana

Kids who overdose on hard drugs all started with pot.

Democrats Introduce Bill to Support Working Families, Increase Minimum Wage to $15

Legislation introduced today would increase Wisconsin’s minimum wage, tie minimum wage to inflation

With Elections Just a Year Away, Legislature Abandons Wisconsin Families

Industrial Acid Mining Bill Will Put Public Health at Risk for Generations

Rep. Sargent’s Statement on Second Request for Public Review of Foxconn Contract, WEDC Board’s Two-Day Review

There’s no excuse for the lack of transparency or accountability with this much on the line for Wisconsin taxpayers.

Bills Introduced Repealing ‘Tampon Tax,’ Requiring Hygiene Products in Bathrooms

The Hygiene Product Accessibility Act removes barriers to affording, accessing hygiene products

The Secrets of Foxconn

Walker administration won’t release details of massive subsidy until after contract is signed.

Restore the Elections Commission Staff

GOP legislators supported this until Walker veto cut staff. Our bill restores electoral security.

Rep. Sargent’s Statement on Governor Walker’s Letter to the NFL

"Well, after seven years in office, I’m glad Scott Walker finally woke up this morning and realized domestic violence in the NFL is a problem."

King Audit, Hearing Highlight Need for Legislative Oversight and Accountability

DVA unresponsiveness to Legislature, LAB audits should prompt legislative action

Legislators Announce Bill Banning Firearm Modifier Possessed by Las Vegas Shooter

State Representatives introduced legislation today banning bump-fire stocks in Wisconsin

Legislators Condemn Las Vegas Shooting, Demand Action on Gun Violence

Reps. Sargent, Berceau, and Taylor announce bill denouncing gun violence, call on state and federal legislators to act on legislation preventing gun violence

Democrat’s Bill Restores Elections Commission Staff

Walker used a veto to slash staff of state’s watchdog agency.

Reps. Sargent and Taylor Request LAB Audit of DOJ Sexual Assault Kit Testing

Legislators today requested an official state audit relating to Wisconsin’s sexual assault kit backlog

Legalizing Pot Could Be Windfall For Wisconsin

Legalization could generate $138 million per year in tax revenue beginning in 2021.

ENDA Report Underscores Need for Domestic Violence Prevention in Wisconsin

Rep. Sargent joined advocates today to announce the 2016 results of End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin’s annual Domestic Violence Homicide Report

Walker Prioritizes Politics Over Public Schools (Again)

State budget bill signing scheduled during State Supt. Evers’ State of Education Address

Legislature Shouldn’t Get Too Comfortable After Latest LAB Audit on Wisconsin Veterans Home at King

LAB King audit announced today highlights need for continued reform, legislative oversight

We Must Legalize Marijuana

It will combat opioid epidemic and boost state economy.

Unconstitutional Bill Addressing Republican-Manufactured Crisis to Pass Assembly

Republicans set to pass bill spearheaded by Speaker Robin Vos attacking free speech rights on campus

WEDC Audit Reveals Continued Dereliction, Insubordination

Governor Walker agency continues economic discouragement and taxpayer dollar malfeasance

Representative Sargent Introduces Bill to Stop “Stealth” Sexual Assault

New legislation prevents sexual assault via nonconsensual removal of a sexually protective device

The High Cost of Quality Child Care

Burdens working families. Tax credit could ease this and expand opportunities.

Audit of Wisconsin’s Financial Statements Another Hit to GOP’s Budget Fairytale

Financial records show billion-dollar General Fund deficit and bleeding Transportation Fund

Republican-Sponsored Gun Bill Irresponsible, Dangerous for Wisconsin

Republican legislation makes a mockery of Wisconsin’s gun violence epidemic

Sober Housing Legislation Helps Address Addiction Epidemic

Rep. Sargent introduces bill to support and expand access to sober living residences in Wisconsin

The Muzzling of the DNR

Gagged by the Walker administration, its staff no longer provide any information.

Representative Subeck Introduces Legislation to Return Authority to Local Governments to Regulate Weapons on Buses

"This legislation enables those responsible for providing transit services to determine how best to ensure their employees’ and their riders’ safety."

DNR Audit Underlines Consequences of Starving State Government

DNR underfunding, understaffing causing lack of enforcement, accountability

State Action Needed on Lead Pipes Problem

Bipartisan action needed to prevent lead poisoning of children.

GOP Continues Six-Year War on Wisconsin Workers

GOP’s bill banning project labor agreements hurts hardworking Wisconsinites

Water in six Madison schools have higher lead levels than national standard

Rep. Sargent: Statement on Reports of High Lead Content in Local Schools

Progressive Tax Reform Plan Helps Middle Class Wisconsinites

Legislative progressives are putting money back in the pockets of hardworking families

Huge State Costs from GOP Plan to Kill Obamacare

$7.8 billion federal funds, 45,700 jobs lost.

Lack of Urgency, Transparency in Sexual Assault Kit Testing Necessitates Audit

Representative Sargent requests an official audit of the DOJ’s sexual assault kit backlog and testing policies and procedures

Cost of child care skyrockets

Democrats propose plan to ease costs, expand economic opportunity

Rep. Sargent: Statement on the Republican Plan to Increase the EITC

Republicans Take Credit for Putting Out Fires They Started

Redistricting Ruling Victory for Wisconsin Democracy

People should get to pick their legislators, not vice versa

Transportation Audit Shatters GOP Budget Fairytale

Caution! Road Work Ahead (That We Can’t Pay For)

Governor Walker and GOP Out of Touch With Wisconsin

"Governor Walker and the GOP could not be more wrong about the state of Wisconsin."

New $0 Deductible Health Plans Introduced

Wisconsin health consumers will save over $209 million

Congress: Whose side are you on – The people’s or terrorists’?

Rep. Terese Berceau, Rep. Melissa Sargent, Rep. Lisa Subeck, and Rep. Chris Taylor released the following joint statement.

Scott Walker Helped Create Trump

Governor's divisiveness and use of fear set stage for Donald Trump's style.

State Assembly Congratulates the City of Madison on Achieving Platinum Status as a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists

Madison achieved this honor in recognition of the city’s impressive bike paths and bike lanes, strong its partnerships with Trek and B-Cycle, its many cycling amenities, and the welcoming nature of Wisconsin’s capital city to cyclists.

Assembly Democrats Urge Gov. Walker to Veto Assembly Bill 387 and Assembly Bill 388

Bills Will Have a Devastating Impact on Wisconsin’s Tradition of Clean, Open and Transparent Government

Representative Lisa Subeck Circulates Bill Banning Semiautomatic Weapons

Semiautomatic assault weapons are a class of firearms that are designed to kill large numbers of people quickly.

Contribution to David Crowley of $100

City Considers Lowering Penalties for Marijuana

Study shows 86% of those convicted of pot possession are African American.

Statement from Rep. Brostoff on $15 Minimum Wage

"Our current minimum wage is shameful"

Representative Lisa Subeck Joins Representative Melissa Sargent’s Call for $15 Minimum Wage

“It is unconscionable that you can work a full time job and still live in poverty.”

Report Reveals Wisconsin Health Insurance Rates Still Dramatically Higher than Minnesota’s

Milwaukee Health Insurance Costs 52% Higher than in Minnesota

Legislation Announced to Accept Federal BadgerCare Funds on Iowa Terms

The bill adopts the approach taken by Iowa’s Republican Governor Terry Branstad.

Unopposed Legislators Still Love Campaign Cash

Retiring and unopposed legislators are sitting on $1.2 million in donations.

Black Men Face Unequal Enforcement of Marijuana Laws

While the nation moves towards legalization, Wisconsin fills its jails with black men arrested for marijuana possession.

Unaffordable Care

Citizens Action of Wisconsin conference shows impact of the Affordable Care Act and Gov. Walker’s decisions on Medicaid.

Redistricting reform the antidote to Republican extremism

Assembly Democratic freshmen urge support for non-partisan redistricting reform as fall session ends

We Want Better Wages!

Workers pressure Family Dollar for higher wages, right to unionize.

How to Reelect Freshmen Legislators

Party leaders let them sponsor high-profile bills likely to win votes.

Leaders Propose Granting Federal Medicaid Funds to WI Counties, Cite Ohio Model

On 48th anniversary of the start of Medicaid, county leaders point to alternative means of covering citizens

Audit of Gov. Walker’s Jobs Agency Confirms Worst Fears

WEDC fails as Wisconsin ranks last in Midwest for Job Growth

Rep. Barca announces Democratic committee assignments for upcoming legislative session

Today Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) announced the Assembly Democratic members of the standing and joint committees for the 2013-2014 legislative session.