3M Legislative Day 2018

3M held their annual legislative day in Madison this week.  With four plants in Wisconsin and as the manufacturer of products the state uses, 3M makes it a priority to have routine communication with legislators and policy makers on issues that are important to the company and the Wisconsin plants. Tuesday evening 3M had an […]

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2018 WACVB Day at the Capitol

On Jan. 30, Wisconsin Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (WACVB) held their annual legislative day at the Capitol. WACVB members met with their legislators to discuss issues including creative economy grants, talent attraction, school start date, and local exposition districts. To start the day, WACVB Executive Director Julia Hertel welcomed the attendees and Rep. […]

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CMS to Allow States to Implement Medicaid Work Requirements

On Jan. 11, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released new guidance to allow states to incorporate work requirements in their Medicaid programs. States pursue changes to Medicaid eligibility through Section 1115 Demonstration Waivers. As outlined in the guidance, CMS requires state proposals to describe strategies to assist individuals in meeting work […]

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Gov. Walker Calls Special Session on Welfare Reform

Gov. Scott Walker issued an executive order on Thursday calling for a special session of the legislature on welfare reform. As part of the special session, the legislature will take up a package of 10 bills authored by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) and Sen. Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield). LRB 5218/5282 would authorize the Department of […]

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Bills of Note: Occupation Credential Fee Waivers

Rep. Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville) and Sen. Dan Feyen (R-Fond du Lac) have authored legislation (AB 733/SB 616) that would waive fees for initial occupation credentials for people whose incomes are beneath 180 percent of the federal poverty line. The bill also eliminates the provision in the veterans fee waiver program that says veterans may only […]

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Bills of Note: Apprenticeships

On Jan. 10, the Assembly Committee on Workforce Development held a public hearing on three bills that promote apprenticeships in Wisconsin. AB 745, authored by Rep. Romaine Quinn (R-Barron) and Sen. Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point), would allow high school seniors to participate in apprenticeship programs. AB 734, authored by Rep. Rob Stafsholt (R-New Richmond) and […]

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Bills of Note: Talent Attraction

The Assembly Committee on Jobs and the Economy held a hearing on Jan. 10 on AB 811, authored by Rep. Mike Rohrkaste (R-Neenah) and Sen. Dan Feyen (R-Fond du Lac), that directs the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), in coordination with other agencies, to develop and implement talent attraction initiatives in Wisconsin. The bill adds […]

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Worker’s Compensation Bill Introduced in Senate

The Senate Committee on Labor and Regulatory Reform voted in December to introduce SB 665, legislation proposed by the Wisconsin Worker’s Compensation Advisory Council (WCAC). The bill is the biennial agreement between management and labor for reform in the worker’s compensation system. Historically, once a WCAC approved bill was introduced, it went through a simple […]

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Senate Committee to Vote to Introduce Worker’s Compensation Bill

The Senate Committee on Labor and Regulatory Reform will vote by paper ballot Tuesday on whether to introduce, as a committee, LRB 4563, legislation proposed by the Wisconsin Worker’s Compensation Advisory Council (WCAC). The bill is the biennial agreement between management and labor for reform in the worker’s compensation system. Although the committee will likely […]

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Walker to Sign Foxconn Contract

Gov. Scott Walker and Foxconn CEO Terry Gou are scheduled today to sign the contract to bring the Taiwanese tech manufacturer to Wisconsin. Joined by U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Janesville), the two will sign the document at SC Johnson in Racine. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) board approved the agency’s work on the […]

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