In an effort to keep you abreast of current issues at the local, state, and federal level, the Chamber will begin regularly emailing information on proposed legislation, rules, and regulations that may impact on your business.  The format will be tweaked in the months weeks and months ahead. Initially, the information will be emailed to the entire Chamber membership list.

We are sensitive to the volume of email that you receive daily, consequently, if you find that the information contained in the communique is not something that you require on a regular basis, simply choose to opt out of the email, and you will be deleted from the mailing list.

If you find it useful, or have suggestions for things you would like to see added, please feel free to call or email Thom Ciske at 920-734-7101, or tciske@foxcitieschamber.com.  Welcome to Government Issues Thumbnail number 111101.

Federal

House Panel Approves Bill to Roll Back Union Election Rule

The bill was drafted in response to a rule proposed by the National labor Relations Board (NLRB) in June to speed up union elections. That rule would allow elections to be held in as little as 10 days after a petition is filed.  MORE                                  

Surface Transportation Bill Extension Finally Passes Congress                                     

For the past eighteen months, the Chamber has worked with its congressional delegation to secure yet another temporary extension of the federal surface transportation bill. MORE

 Democrats Offer Sizable Deficit Plan                                                                              

Democrats on the joint deficit reduction committee have floated the idea of bigger budgetary savings than their statutory target requires, discussing a plan that would pare the deficit by almost $3 trillion over 10 years through a roughly even mix of spending cuts and revenue increases.

MORE

Tax Reform Finally Hot Topic In Congress                                                                   

Lawmakers in Washington have begun in earnest to discuss tax reform, a key Chamber policy concern for the past twenty years. MORE

3% Withholding Clears House, Heads To Senate

Legislation to repeal a rule that would withhold 3% of government payments to contractors is gaining steam, passing the House with strong bipartisan support and the Obama Administration's sign-off.  MORE

Supreme Court Should Move Quickly On Health Care Law

The deepening legal conflict over the fate of the health care law is adding another layer of uncertainty for employers, and the Chamber believes that U.S. Supreme Court should move quickly to resolve the issue. MORE 

Small Businesses Have New Cybersecurity Tool

To arm small business owners against ever-growing cyber threats, the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the U.S. Chamber, has joined up with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to launch a free online toolkit to help businesses develop a cybersecurity strategy.  MORE 

State

Wisconsin's Problems "Balancing" the Budget  

For years, Governors and legislatures have been claiming that budgets passed have been in balance, as state statutes mandate. However, organizations like the nonpartisan nonprofit, Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance (WTA) and others contend the state's cash accounting system has often used tricks, such as moving payments into the next fiscal year to meet state statutes.  

Despite that, credit rating agencies, like Standard and Poor's have rated the state's fiscal health well above average, with bond marks at AA status, the second highest level under the S&P grading chart.  According to the WTA, with a $13 billion-plus outstanding debt load, Wisconsin rates high because of its ability to tax. States and municipalities, unlike businesses, can tax their way out of financial straits - and they often do. There appears to be a movement afoot currently to alter past practice, but only time will tell.

State Moves to End "Shift Stacking"    

The 2012-13 Employee Compensation plan recently proposed by the Office of State Employment Relations' will, among other things, eliminate a state employee's ability to "stack" shifts. This is a process whereby an employee: calls in sick, is credited with a day's sick pay, turns around and signs up for the following shift, thereby allowing the employee to receive 16 hours of pay for 8 hours of work (8 hrs. sick pay plus 8 hrs worked).

Potential Changes in CPI to Save Money                                                                

Concern is mounting over the possibility of the federal government entertaining recommendations that would change the way Social Security calculates inflation.   MORE 

Update on Wisconsin Reforms  

In an effort to keep state residents updated regarding the impact of the Administration's reforms, the Governor's office has a established a new website, www.reforms.wi.gov containing pertinent data. The website will be updated as more data becomes available and more results become public. The Chamber has not verified the accuracy of the information found on the site.

Unemployment Insurance Reform Stalls in Legislature

By statute, the Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council (UIAC) consists of representatives from both employers and employees.  Every two years the Council develops and negotiates a set of "agreed on" recommended changes in the UI law, which are then submitted to the Legislature.  The legislature traditionally passes the "agreed on" bill without amendment.  MORE 

Wisconsin Requests ObamaCare Waiver                                                                           

The request was made over concerns related to the Medical Loss Ratio requirement in the law. MLRs are the rates insurance companies pay. MORE

State Bills "In The Hopper"

AB 233 - Prevailing Wage Exemption  MORE    

Local

Chamber Reconfirms Conditional Support for Regional Transit Authority (RTA)           

Two years ago the Chamber came out in favor of an Assembly Bill that would have allowed for the creation of a Regional Transit Authority in the Fox Cities. The Chamber reconfirmed that support at a League of Women Voters panel discussion on October 13th stating that, although the Chamber continues to support the "concept" of an RTA, it would reserve judgment until all of the final details were made clear. Those details would include; how the taxing authority would be constituted, type and level of tax proposed, specific use of revenue, etc.