Wisconsin political news for
clients and colleagues.
Previous issues of
Political Tidbits can be found at Tidbits Archive.
Click here to begin your free subscription.
Aug. 30, 2006
As we get closer to the election
season, including the statewide primary on September 10,
Tidbits has provided an
overview and update of the 99 Assembly seats that will be
decided in this fall’s elections. In our last issue we provided an
overview of the
2006 Senate Races.
As
noted in the last issue, the Legislative Audit Bureau released its
long-awaited audit on the state’s economic development programs. On Tuesday,
August 29, the Joint Legislative Audit Committee conducted its first hearing
on the audit and heard testimony from invited state officials and the
Wisconsin Economic Development Association. The Legislature is expected to
engage in a very thorough analysis of these programs, their processes, and
their value to the Wisconsin economy.
The audit and its solutions are also likely to play in to the gubernatorial
election. Republican challenger Mark Green immediately proposed a
public/private entity to oversee the economic development programs as a
means of responding to the lack of economic development leadership due to
the current fragmented system, which was identified in the audit. Governor
Doyle, not surprisingly, disagreed with his opponent’s suggestion with a
press release from his campaign.
We
wish you all a safe Labor Day weekend.
Policy Developments
Doyle Directs 90 Percent Mercury
Reductions
On Aug. 25, Gov. Jim Doyle
announced that he has directed the State Dept. of Natural
Resources (DNR) to require a 90 percent reduction of mercury
emissions from coal-fired power plants, a move that
industry says will increase electric bills with no
environmental improvements. The gubernatorial directive also calls
for a ban on certain mercury products such as mercury thermometers
and dental products.
EPA
issued the
Clean Air Mercury Rule on Mar.15, 2005. The rule requires utilities to
reduce their emissions of mercury nearly 70 percent. Its promulgation
triggered a requirement in Wisconsin’s existing mercury rule that DNR revise
the rule to assure consistency with the federal program. (The existing state
rule provides for fewer mercury reductions than EPA’s rule.) While Gov.
Doyle
called for incentives in addition to mandates, it appears the 90 percent
pronouncement was a repudiation of his commitment to industry that the state
would not impose restrictions beyond that required by EPA.
State Audit Committee Holds Hearing
The Joint Legislative Audit Committee held a public hearing on a
recently released audit on state economic development programs. Invited
speakers included Mary Burke, Secretary of Commerce, Kevin Reilly, President
of the UW System and Dan Clancy, President of the Technical College System.
In
addition, the Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA) presented
its preliminary findings and recommendations, which were supported by a
recent survey conducted of its members. WEDA testimony included the
following:
-
Leadership be statutorily established with commensurate accountability and
authority for all ED programs.
-
Broad policy objectives be established for the state;
-
Programs be consolidated to provide workable amounts of dollars for ED
programs; tax credit programs should be consolidated with expanded
creditable activities and portability and serve as pilot project for other
consolidations.
-
Emphasis be placed on speed and simplicity of program operation.
The
Department of Commerce is required to report to the Joint Legislative Audit
Committee by February 15th, 2007, on its efforts to improve procedures for
tracking program results, monitor long-term results, and identify
duplicative programs, among other recommendations. Furthermore, the
University of Wisconsin System and the Wisconsin Technical College System
will report to the Committee on their progress toward designating an
economic development liaison at each campus and publishing directories of
their business assistance programs offered.
Following are some related links:
Road to the Future Committee Hears Transportation Needs
The Joint Legislative Committee on Transportation Needs and Finance also
known as the Road to the Future Committee recently accepted the draft report
on phase one of its work.
The
draft report summarizes testimony received by the Committee at over 16 hours
of public hearings as well as analysis prepared by the Legislative Fiscal
Bureau.
During this phase, the committee established benchmarks for needs in four
areas that account for the great majority of transportation spending: state
highway construction, state highway maintenance, aids to local governments,
and mass transit operating assistance. According to the analysis prepared
for the committee, current funding falls short of those benchmark needs by
$698 million dollars per year.
Midwest U.S. – Japan Conference in Indianapolis September 10 – 12
On September 10 – 12, Indianapolis will host the 38th Annual Joint
meeting of the
Midwest-US Japan Association Conference.
The
conference will include discussions with Japanese and U.S. business experts
and economic specialists who will share their insight into the acceleration
of global commerce as well as explore advanced technologies and life
sciences, the impact of economic trends in Asia on Japan-U.S. relations, new
challenges to global commerce, and challenges and opportunities in the
automotive industry. The conference is presented by Eli Lilly and Toyota
Motor Manufacturing, Indiana.
Also,
the UW-Madison will host its
Economic Outlook conference on Sept. 15. The event will feature four
leading economists and will discuss factors impacting the economy such as
interest rates, oil prices, federal budget deficits, and the relative
strength of the dollar. Business leaders from throughout Wisconsin, northern
Illinois and eastern Iowa are expected to attend.
New Report Shows Impact of Single Sales Factor Tax Reform
In 2003, the Legislature adopted and Gov. Doyle signed the single sales
factor tax law. Because of that law change, on Jan. 1, 2006 Wisconsin began
phasing in a formula to apportion income to the state based only on the
amount of sales a company makes in Wisconsin compared to sales made
everywhere.
Single sales factor apportionment will be fully phased in for taxable years
beginning in 2008. Once fully implemented, the income of multi-state
businesses will be apportioned to the state using only the amount of sales
made in Wisconsin, and will no longer be based on a formula that also
includes Wisconsin-based payroll and property.
The
Department of Revenue’s study compares the state’s current treatment to
the full phase-in. According to the DOR study, Wisconsin ranks 5th
in total tax liability pre-single-sales factor apportionment, but drops to
11 once single-sales is fully implemented.
Wisconsin
Politics
We the People to Host Gubernatorial
Debates
We the People/Wisconsin will air two, live, statewide forums
this fall. On Friday, September 15, a one-hour televised forum in
Waukesha will be presented with confirmed participation by Gov.
Jim Doyle and U.S. Rep. Mark Green and will focus on taxes and the
economy. A second confirmed pairing of the candidates will take
place on Friday, Oct. 20 in La Crosse and will involve discussions
of quality of life issues, such as health care and education.
We
the People/Wisconsin is a non-profit coalition that includes the Wisconsin
State Journal, Wisconsin Public Television, Wisconsin Public Radio, WISC-TV
(CBS, Madison), WisPolitics.com and Wood Communications Group.
Clinton to Support Doyle at Fundraiser
Former President Bill Clinton will campaign for Governor Doyle Oct. 24
in Wisconsin. Doyle's campaign said details were not immediately available
but said Clinton is expected to appear at a fundraiser in Milwaukee.
In
July President Bush was in Wisconsin to campaign for Doyle’s opponent Mark
Green and returned to Wisconsin to support a candidate for Green’s seat,
John Gard.
Federal Developments
Bush Signs Health Care Measure
On August 22, President Bush signed an Executive Order intended to
make health care facilities user-friendly for Americans.
This
Executive Order directs federal agencies that administer or sponsor Federal
Health Insurance Programs to:
-
Share with beneficiaries information about prices paid to health care
providers for procedures.
-
Share with beneficiaries information on the quality of services provided
by doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers.
-
Use
improved health IT systems to facilitate the rapid exchange of health
information.
-
Develop and identify approaches that facilitate high quality and efficient
care.
Political News
Drunken-driving plans debated: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Aug. 30,
2006.
Crackdown
planned on holiday drunken driving: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Aug.
30, 2006.
Plan would
rein in state economic development programs: Milwaukee Journal
Sentinel, Aug. 30, 2006.
Labor seen
as key to future: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Aug. 30, 2006.
Utility,
state settle over pollution data: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Aug.
30, 2006.
The
onslaught of issue ads (opinion): Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Aug.
29, 2006.
Green aims
to be 'chief jobs officer': Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Aug. 29,
2006.
Green
proposes eliminating the state Commerce Department: Janesville
Gazette, Aug. 29, 2006.
Taxes and spending: Where do candidates for governor stand? La
Crosse Tribune, Aug. 28, 2006.
A biting campaign: Beloit Journal Times, Aug. 28, 2006.
Women strong players in races: Appleton Post-Crescent, Aug. 28,
2006.
Candidates discuss mandating ethanol in gas: Manitowoc News Herald,
Aug. 28, 2006.
Nuclear power still heated topic in state (opinion): La Crosse
Tribune, Aug. 28, 2006.
Plan B protects, empowers women (opinion): Wisconsin State Journal,
Aug. 28, 2006.
Stateline's blood supply tightens for hospitals: Beloit Daily News,
Aug. 28, 2006.
Wisconsin one of six states targeted in Labor Day DUI crackdown:
Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune, Aug. 28, 2006.
Doyle's budget record disputed: Green Bay Press-Gazette, Aug. 27,
2006.
Doyle
announces mercury guidelines: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Aug. 27,
2006.
Ethanol may
leave boaters high and dry: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Aug. 26,
2006.
A way
forward for state companies (opinion): Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,
Aug. 26, 2006.
Madison and
Milwaukee: So close, yet so far: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Aug.
26, 2006.
Candidates
aim to win recognition: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Aug. 26, 2006.
Ridgeville vote mirrors national energy policy (opinion): Tomah
Journal, Aug. 25, 2006.
New questions on role of Doyle's office in sale of nuclear plant:
Wisconsin State Journal, Aug. 25, 2006.
More state
spending on highways backed: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Aug. 25,
2006.
Construction of new rail spur underway: Ashland Daily Press, Aug.
25, 2006.
First-timers and checkpoints (opinion): Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,
Aug. 25, 2006.
We need to act to make highways safer (opinion): Ashland Daily
Press, Aug. 25, 2006.
Drunk driver vote could be crucial: Wisconsin State Journal, Aug.
24, 2006.
Ads drown
out the candidates: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Aug. 24, 2006.
Green team
taps Giuliani: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Aug. 24, 2006.
Passing the buck is no solution (opinion): Superior Daily Telegram,
Aug. 24, 2006.
Ugliness in AG's races hits new low (opinion): Wausau Daily Herald,
Aug. 24, 2006.
Jobless
rate stays level again: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Aug. 24, 2006.
Regional unemployment dips from June to July: Ashland Daily Press,
Aug. 24, 2006.
Sure sign of the change in season: County sales tax (opinion):
Oshkosh Northwestern, Aug. 24, 2006.
Manufacturing's new direction: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Aug. 23,
2006.
Milwaukee
climbs up in economic rankings: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Aug. 23,
2006.
Ethanol a mixed fuel bag (opinion): Madison Capital Times, Aug. 23,
2006.
A small, but good step toward energy self sufficiency (opinion):
Superior Daily Telegram, Aug. 21, 2006.
Helmet safety: Fond du Lac Reporter, Aug. 23, 2006.
More cycles on the road, and more crashes, too: Beloit Daily News,
Aug. 22, 2006.
Upcoming Fundraisers
Aug. 30
-
Sen. Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point),
Madison
-
JB Van Hollen (R) AG candidate,
Manitowoc
-
Rep. Steve Freese (R-Dodgeville),
Mineral Point
Aug. 31
-
Sen. Russ Decker (D-Schofield),
Rothschild
-
Nick Reid (R) 7th CD candidate,
Grantsburg
-
Mark Green, Hartland
Sept. 6
-
Rep. Mike Huebsch (R-Onalaska), Verona
-
JB Van Hollen (R) AG candidate,
Kenosha
Sept. 8
Sept. 13
For
details, go to
Hamilton Consulting Fundraiser Calendar.
| 
