Walker Signs Economic Development Tax Credit Bill

Governor Walker signed Senate Bill 449 earlier this week, which allows for the transfer of economic development tax credits between eligible Wisconsin taxpayers. Representative Loudenbeck and Senator Gudex authored this bipartisan bill. “Tax credits are one of the primary tools in the State of Wisconsin’s economic development toolbox,” said Patrick Schloss, President of Wisconsin Economic […]

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Governor Walker Signs 29 Bills into Law

With the Assembly and Senate finishing off their two year session and March drawing to a close, Governor Walker signed a slew of bills into law, with one partial veto and one full veto. The following is a partial list of those bills signed: Assembly Bill 770 – creates an emergency heating assistance loan guarantee […]

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Newsmakers: Growing Wisconsin Small Business with Mark Lange

In a recent episode of WisconsinEye’s Newsmakers, Steve Walters interviewed Mark Lange, a senior official at the University of Wisconsin-Extension. Lange explained what Wisconsin small businesses are up against, where they’ve come from, and where businesses can expect to be heading. Lange explained that there has been an explosion of start-ups and new small businesses […]

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DWD Announces New Wisconsin Fast Forward Grants

As part of Governor Walker’s Blueprint for Prosperity, applications for grants being awarded for worker training programs have been released by the Wisconsin Department fo Workforce Development (DWD). Nearly $1.5 million are available for programs which target training for high school students in high-demand fields looking for skilled workers. Secretary Reggie Newson of DWD explained […]

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Patent Troll Legislation Passes Assembly; Not All Businesses Support the Legislation

Despite last minute efforts to exempt manufacturers, the Assembly on Thursday, March 20, passed SB 498. The bill addresses so-called “patent trolls,” which are individuals or companies that attempt to enforce patent rights against accused infringers in order to collect licensing fees, but does not manufacture products or supply services based upon the patents in question. The […]

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Assembly Passes Asbestos Trust Fund Transparency

The Wisconsin Senate on Wednesday, March 12 passed asbestos trust fund transparency legislation (AB 19). The bill passed on a party-line vote (17-16). The bill was amended and was passed by the Assembly late this week. This is a significant victory for Wisconsin businesses. This legislation forces plaintiff attorneys filing asbestos lawsuits in Wisconsin courts to […]

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Walmart Visits State Capitol

Nearly 100 members of management teams and suppliers at Walmart visited the Wisconsin State Capitol this week to speak about growth in jobs in the US. Members meet with for breakfast and seminars with Walmart suppliers to discuss the current business climate and priorities for job creation. Members meet with Representative Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam). […]

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Legislative Days at State Capitol

Legislative Days provides an opportunity for individuals and businesses to come to Madison to meet with their elected officials and discuss issues of importance to them. Members from Xcel Energy, Wisconsin Economic Development Association, and the Wisconsin Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, met with state senators, legislators, and elected officials this past week. The […]

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Joint Committee Hears Testimony on Worker’s Compensation Bills

Last week, a joint public hearing of the Assembly and Senate Labor committees was held on AB 711 and Senate Bill 550. These companion bills were forwarded to the legislature by the Worker’s Compensation Advisory Council, a council made up of management and labor representatives who negotiate worker’s compensation policy changes. This Council has been […]

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Business Day in Madison a Success

The 12th annual Business Day in Madison, hosted by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, was recently held in Madison. Attendees heard speakers from around the United States talk and discuss the state, national, and international business climate. Speakers included Robert O’Neill, a member of the SEAL Team Six; A.B. Stoddard, Associate Editor and Columnist for The […]

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