A new study reports that Wisconsin ranked 30th in the nation for the quality of its civil justice system, a finding that is certain to have a negative impact on business retention and attraction, WMC reported.

This study—U.S. Tort Liability Index, published by the California-based Pacific Research Institute—ranks which states have relatively high tort costs, and which have enacted reforms to better position themselves as destinations for business relocation and future economic growth.

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At the request of Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager, Rep. Spencer Black has introduced legislation to allow the DNR to write costly environmental rules that exceed EPA requirements under federal law.  Assembly Bill 1221 would authorize expensive “Wisconsin Only” pollution regulations for air and water pollution, resulting in significant costs that our competitors in other states would not be required to pay.  The bill also seeks to repeal a key provision of WMC’s landmark Job Creation Act which forces the DNR to justify regulations from a cost-benefit analysis.  WMC strongly opposes AB 1221 as a costly disincentive to do business in Wisconsin.  Although the bill failed to pass as of the end of session on May 4, it is likely to be re-introduced next year.

 
Lautenschlager Press Release

 
Staff Contact:  Scott Manley

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Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager has filed another lawsuit seeking to force electric utilities to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, a move that would increase electric rates by hundreds of millions of dollars if successful.  Fortunately, a similar lawsuit from Lautenschlager was thrown out of federal court last September.  Courts have consistently ruled that the Clean Air Act does not allow for the regulation of CO2.  WMC noted that these types of frivolous lawsuits would be prohibited if the Legislature adopted Senator Zien’s SB 425. Attorney General Candidate J.B. Van Hollen denounced the lawsuit and questioned how much money taxpayers are being forced to pay for political litigation.

 
WMC Press Release
Van Hollen Press Release
Lautenschlager Press Release
SB 425 – WMC Position Paper
SB 425 – Bill Text
 

Staff Contact:  Scott Manley

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Assembly Bill 4 would create a state tax exemption for health savings accounts, mirroring federal law.  AB 4 has passed both houses of the state legislature and now this bill is subject to review by Governor Doyle.  WMC President Jim Haney has written Governor Doyle, urging him to allow AB 4 to become law.  WMC argues that HSAs can give workers a strong financial stake in their health care purchasing decisions, giving them incentives to aggressively manage their health care costs by becoming more active, engaged consumers.
 
Governor Doyle has vetoed similar legislation before.
 
Related coverage:
WMC Urges Doyle to Sign HSA Tax Exemption (press release)
Stack of legislation for Doyle's review: Wisconsin State Journal
2005 HSA Full Year Report: eHealth Insurance
 

Staff Contact: R.J. Pirlot

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Assembly Bill 1163, legislation to reform Wisconsin’s shareholder liability statute passed the State Assembly by a vote of 60-38 and passed the State Senate by a vote of 18-14.  Wisconsin is among a handful of states that impose liability on corporate shareholders for up to six months of wages that may be owing to corporate employees, up to the value of the shareholder’s shares in the corporation.  Many believe that Wisconsin’s current shareholder liability law is an impediment to attracting venture capital to Wisconsin, as it creates a major disincentive for investors to risk investing in small Wisconsin based corporations.  WMC is asking Governor Doyle to sign this important legislation.  WMC members are also urged to contact Governor Doyle to ask him to sign AB 1163.

 
Staff Contact: John Metcalf

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A recent survey conducted by WMC reports Wisconsin manufacturers are expressing confidence in the state’s economy with over half predicting new hires and increased capital investments.

WMC conducted the online survey of 600 manufacturing CEOs from among its 4,000 members to celebrate May is Manufacturing Month, with 84 CEOs completing the survey. 

Respondents included small, medium, large and mega manufacturers. Some 64.3 percent said they would increase capital spending, more than half citing modernization and increased efficiency and slightly less than half citing increased capacity.

Nearly 57 percent said they would increase hiring, with 37 percent staying the same and only 6 percent making cuts.

WMC Press Release

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Last chance to register for the 2006 WEWG^® Environmental Policy and Awards Conference on May 17, 2006, at the Milwaukee Marriott West in Waukesha.  You will hear from industry experts about environmental policies and the impact they have on your business.  In addition to hearing presentations from policy experts, you will receive written summaries of upcoming regulatory and legislative environmental initiatives.  You will also meet the winners of the Wisconsin Business Friend of the Environment Awards and learn more about their best practices and the investments they've made to protect the environment.  For more information, please contact smanley@wmc.org or kmahlkuch@wmc.org or at 608.258.3400.

Register on-line
Print the brochure

Staff Contact: Scott Manley

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In May, Wisconsin will celebrate May is Manufacturing month. As the school year comes to end, we need to remind our children and our neighbors that manufacturing provides the highest wages, the best benefits, and better jobs and brighter futures.

May is for Manufacturing will put a spotlight on Wisconsin’s diverse manufacturing industry. Be prepared to shine up the plant and bring your local, state and federal elected officials in for a plant tour. Get kids involved by hosting school groups in your plant. Or, bring editors and reporters in to show that manufacturing is the engine that drives the Wisconsin economy and pays the best wages for our families!

Governor Jim Doyle and the Legislature have officially proclaimed May as manufacturing month in Wisconsin! Because manufacturing makes Wisconsin work!

Last year Governor Jim Doyle and Republican Legislative leaders reached an agreement raising the state's minimum wage. The state minimum wage will increase to $6.50 an hour on June 1, 2006.  Doyle also signed 2005 Wisconsin Act 12, preemption legislation banning higher minimum wages in individual municipalities.

A Wisconsin Minimum Wage poster is available with the new higher state minimum wage rates, as an optional posting by Wisconsin employers. It is not a required poster, but given the current difference that now exists between state and federal rates, Wisconsin employers may wish to post the Wisconsin poster along with the Federal minimum wage poster.

The Minimum Wage Poster is available on the DWD website, or you may request a hard copy of the poster by calling the Equal Rights Division in the Department of Workforce Development at 608-266-6860.

Staff Contact: John Metcalf

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May 23 — Future of Farming and Rural Life in Wisconsin Regional Forums:  The project seeks to engage state residents in development of a new vision for the future of agriculture and rural life in the state.  Six regional forums will be held across the state beginning May 23. 

 
May 23 — “Key Issues in Healthcare Costs,” Holiday Inn, Manitowoc from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.  This two-hour forum will focus on what is driving the cost of health care and explore possible solutions.  The keynote speaker is Clark Slipher, a principal and consulting actuary in the Milwaukee office of Milliman.  RSVP for this free event to Kim Bautz or by calling her at (608) 661-6942.

 
May 25 — WMC Transportation Committee Meeting, Hotel Mead & Conference Center, Wisconsin Rapids from 9 a.m. to noon.  The keynote presentation will be on the potential for direct "RoadRailer" train service locations in Wisconsin.  RoadRailer is a hybrid-intermodal truck trailer service operated by Triple Crown Services.  Jim Newton, President and Art Miller, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, for Triple Crown Services will make the presentation.  Individuals may also participate via teleconference, for all or part of the meeting (view agenda).  We will send materials, e.g., PowerPoint presentations, via email to teleconference participants, in order to ensure they are fully able to participate in the meeting.  RSVP to Kim Bautz or by calling her at (608) 661-6942.

 
June 8-9 — 4^th Annual Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference, Milwaukee Hyatt Regency, 333 W. Kilbourn Ave., Milwaukee.  The conference is part of Wisconsin’s continuing efforts to grow an economy that encourages innovation, risk-taking and formation of new businesses. The conference is tailored to the needs of business people who are launching start-ups or growing early stage companies.
 

Additional Meetings >>
Government/University/Business Partnerships >>

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Education
State pulls school's money: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

 
Environment
Doyle's pier power sets bad precedent (opinion): Wisconsin State Journal

 
Healthcare
Transparency in healthcare a priority: The Hill
Editorial: State manufacturing CEOs worried about health care, too: Appleton Post-Crescent
100,000 on board for state's SeniorCare: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Kind, Doyle say seniors need more time for prescription drug plan: La Crosse Tribune

 
Human Resources
Retiree benefits drain finances: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

 
Taxes
Proposed sales tax increase stumbles: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

 
Transportation
Freight rail business is rolling: Wisconsin State Journal
Utilities lead charge vs. railroads: Capital Times
Electric buses win OK: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
$3 gas is driving us to conserve: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Highway signs could go high-tech: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

 
Utilities
GOP aide to lead energy lobbying group: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

 
Miscellaneous
Stack of legislation for Doyle's review: Wisconsin State Journal

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