The Wisconsin Department of Tourism has released its annual economic impact research for 2017. The report shows the state’s tourism industry has grown 40 percent in the last seven years to a $20.6 billion impact on the Wisconsin economy. In 2017, tourism generated 195,255 jobs and $1.5 billion in state and local tax revenue. […]
EPA Relaxes Ozone Regulations for Southeastern Wisconsin
Date Fri, May. 4, 2018 - 9:26am By Hamilton
In its final designations under the 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standards, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has narrowed the areas of Wisconsin designated as “nonattainment,” or not meeting the national primary or secondary ambient air quality standards. EPA’s original designations in late 2017 included large portions of eastern Wisconsin, despite Wisconsin’s recommendation that […]
Legislature & Governor Highlight Importance of Apprenticeships to Wisconsin Workforce
Date Wed, Mar. 21, 2018 - 1:54pm By Hamilton
Earlier this month, Gov. Scott Walker congratulated the four winners of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Wisconsin’s skills competition. Walker said the skilled work demonstrated by these winners is “helping build a better Wisconsin” and is vital to moving the Wisconsin economy forward. Walker highlighted ABC’s apprenticeship programs that help train a new generation […]
Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce Hosts 2018 Business Day
Date Thu, Mar. 1, 2018 - 4:47pm By Hamilton
Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce held the 17th annual Business Day in Madison on Feb. 28 at the Monona Terrace. Attendees heard from speakers around the state and nation on business and political affairs topics. A highlight of the program was Dr. Alan Yeung, Foxconn Director of Strategic Initiatives. Yeung shared Foxconn’s plans for their manufacturing […]
Walmart Capitol Day 2018 Focuses on Minimum Markup Repeal
Date Fri, Feb. 16, 2018 - 11:05am By Hamilton
Almost 100 Walmart store managers from across Wisconsin met on Feb. 14 for their annual Capitol Day. This year’s event focused on the Unfair Sales Act, a bill from Sen. Leah Vukmir (R-Brookfield) and Rep. Jim Ott (R-Mequon) that provides exemptions for prescription drugs and general merchandise under Wisconsin’s Unfair Sales Act. Those exemptions would […]
Bills of Note: “Alcohol Czar”
Date Fri, Feb. 16, 2018 - 11:03am By Hamilton
Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) introduced a bill (SB 801) that would create an Office of Alcohol Beverages Enforcement attached to the Department of Revenue. The Office would oversee alcohol regulation, enforcement, and permitting. The bill also creates a resort manufacturer permit issued by the Office that authorizes production and sale of alcohol outside […]
Senate Committee Holds Hearing on Worker’s Compensation Bill
Date Fri, Feb. 16, 2018 - 10:01am By Hamilton
The Senate Committee on Labor and Regulatory Reform held a public hearing on Feb. 14 on SB 665, legislation proposed by the Wisconsin Worker’s Compensation Advisory Council. The bill is the biennial agreement between management and labor for reform in the worker’s compensation system. At the hearing, several groups testified in favor of the bill. […]
Assembly Committee Holds Tourism Information Hearing
Date Fri, Feb. 16, 2018 - 8:58am By Hamilton
On Feb. 7, the Assembly Committee on Tourism held an informational hearing on the Department of Tourism. The Department Secretary Stephanie Klett, joined by Deputy Secretary Sarah Klavas and Marketing Director Shane Brossard, presented to the committee the latest Travel Wisconsin commercials and the Department’s 2017 annual report. The Wisconsin Department of Tourism is tasked […]
Bills of Note: Welfare Special Session
Date Fri, Feb. 2, 2018 - 10:22am By Hamilton
The Senate Committee on Public Benefits, Licensing and State-Federal Relations and the Assembly Committee on Public Benefit Reform held a joint hearing on Jan. 31 on 10 bills as part of the Special Session on Welfare Reform called by Gov. Scott Walker earlier this month. The committees heard first from the bills’ authors, Assembly Speaker […]
Court of Appeals Decision Allows Temporary Employees to Sue Employers Rather Than File Worker’s Comp Claim
Date Fri, Feb. 2, 2018 - 10:15am By Hamilton
Earlier this year, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, Dist. III, issued a decision (Ehr v. West Bend Mutual Ins. Co.) that significantly altered the Worker’s Compensation Act. The court ruled that the estate of a deceased employee could sue the employee’s temporary employer for an action in tort instead of filing a worker’s compensation claim […]