Weak Recovery & Health Care Costs Top List of Business Leaders’ Concerns for 2014

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce has released the most recent iteration of its annual survey of business leaders in Wisconsin. The data shows business leaders in the state are optimistic about the growth potential of their individual businesses, but still face significant challenges, namely the slow recovery from the Great Recession and cost increases related to […]

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Economic Development Update

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) came before the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee this week. The committee voted along party lines to allow the pseudo-agency to continue operating, but delayed decisions on what to do with surplus funds earmarked for economic development and WEDC’s request to create a not-for-profit foundation funded by state businesses to […]

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WEDC Releases Annual Report

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) has released its annual report for fiscal year 2013, highlighting the organization’s efforts to improve the state’s business climate. WEDC provided the following executive summary of the report in a press release announcing the report’s availability: WEDC, the state’s lead economic development organization, provided more than $330 million in […]

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Senate Holds Hearing on Tax Credit Transferability Bill

On Dec. 18 the Senate Committee on Economic Development held a public hearing on SB 449, which would allow for the limited transfer of Economic Development Tax Credits. Under current law, tax credits can only be used if the original tax credit recipient has a corresponding state income tax liability. If an original tax credit […]

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Legislature Increases Historic Tax Credit

On Dec 11, 2013 Gov. Walker signed 2013 Wisconsin Act 62 into law in the Northland Hotel in downtown Green Bay. This piece of legislation raises the Historic Tax Credit on qualified rehabilitation expenditures of certified historic structures to 20 percent. In addition, a new 20 percent tax credit was created for rehabilitation expenditures on […]

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Walker Discusses State Business Climate with WMC

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce recently hosted Gov. Walker for a discussion of key issues facing the state and the governor’s new book. Walker explained what efforts the state is making to improve the state’s business climate and also talked about his decision not to accept additional federal money under the Affordable Care Act.  

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Legislature Mulls Making Certain Tax Credits Transferable

Rep. Amy Loudenbeck and Sen. Rick Gudex are circulating legislation, LRB 2997, that allows for the limited transfer of Economic Development Tax Credits. As Loudenbeck and Gudex state in their co-sponsorship memo, “Under current Wisconsin law, non-refundable tax credits can only be used if there is a corresponding state income tax liability. If there is […]

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Hearing Held on Aircraft Tax Exemptions

On November 21, the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means held a public hearing on Assembly Bill 438, which would expand the existing aircraft sales and use tax exemption. Discussion of the bill starts at the 27 minute mark in this video from WisconsinEye.   Supporters say the bipartisan bill would benefit companies like Gulfstream […]

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DWD Seeks Applicants for Wisconsin Fast Forward Grants

The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is now accepting applications for Wisconsin Fast Forward grants. Wisconsin Fast Forward includes $15 million in grants for employer-led worker training programs. The intent is to provide essential assistance that cannot be met through an existing program. Grants will be awarded to maximize the impact of funds in catalyzing […]

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Last Floor Sessions of 2013

The Senate and Assembly have adjourned their last regular sessions for 2013. Both houses had busy agendas as they moved to get bills passed before the end of the calendar year. Elections and Politics The most contentious issues involved elections – from voting to recalls and redistricting. Party line votes and long debates were abundant. […]

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