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December 1, 2011  |
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L.E.A.D. - Legislative Executive Advocacy Discussions |
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 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. | |
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Dodd-Frank Law Can't Be Fully Implemented
With the Republican blockage of the appointment of former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray as head of the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a number of provisions in Dodd-Fraank cannot be implemented. One of the major goals of Democrats contained in Dodd-Frank, that cannot be implemented without the Director in place, is the extension of federal regulation to lightly regulated nonbank financial players. Currently the agency's powers extend only to regular banks. In the past, President Obama has skirted Republican efforts to block appointments by making a temporary appointment while Congress was recessed. However, Republicans have indicated that they would block the recess if necessary to prevent the appointment.
Housing Market Slow To Recover
A recent Wall Street Journal survey of 54 economists suggests that the ailing housing market is unlikely to recover before 2016. Economists believe that home prices will be down approximately 2.7% in 2011, but will begin to tick upward in 2012. High down-payment requirements and existing homeowners in "upside-down" mortgages, are preventing up to half of all existing homeowners from moving. Couple this with potential first-time homebuyers who appear less interested in buying, and you have the makings for a slow climb back.
3% Withholding Repeal Is Signed
President Obama has signed legislation to repeal a requirement that federal, state, and local governments withhold 3% of payments to their contractors beginning in 2013. By repealing the 3% tax withholding provision that was scheduled to take effect in 2013, Congress took an important step in lifting a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the business community. MORE
Regulatory Reform Bills Moving Ahead In The House
The House is closing in on two bills that would improve how federal agencies promulgate regulations and make it more difficult for the costliest proposed regulations to take effect. MORE
Budget Control Act - Sequestration In A Nutshell
Here is a brief but useful description of the automatic across-the-board cuts under the Budget Control Act. MORE | |
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Southeast Asia Trade Mission
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, in coordination with the Council of Great Lakes Governors (CGLG), is leading a multi-;sector trade mission to Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand from March 16 to28, 2012. The goal of this mission is to assist small to medium sized companies from the Great Lakes region to export products and services. MORE
Iron Mine in Wisconsin - A Job Generator
The local citizens and elected officials from the Iron County area expressed overwhelming support for the proposed iron mine in their area. A recent economic study found the mine is expected to create more than 5,000 jobs throughout the state when it is fully operational, including 1,400 at the mining site alone. The mining jobs are expected to pay roughly $60,000 per year, with total compensation exceeding $82,000 when benefits are included. there are few actions the Legislature can take that will directly increase employment and economic opportunity throughout Wisconsin than passage of iron mining legislation, and we thank Rep. Mary Williams (R-Medford) for her leadership in holding the hearing.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources on FaceBook & Twitter!
The Department of Natural Resources now has both a FaceBook page as well as a Twitter account. The facebook page is an agency-wide page and is not region or program specific. Its focus is on recreational opportunities available in Wisconsin's outdoors. It will cover a variety of subjects which are seasonally specific. So, in the most immediate future, you will likely see many posts about hunting, fall fishing, and bird migration to name a few. To find the DNR's FaceBook page, type www.facebook.com\WIDNR in your browser. The department has also launched its Twitter account. If you have a twitter account and wish to "follow" the department, go to your Twitter search bar and search for @WDNR and you will see its account pop up on the right hand side.
Department of Justice Is Also "Tweeting"
Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen has announced that Wisconsin residents, media and public officials now may keep informed about what's happening at the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) through its official Twitter page. The DOJ will post links to news releases, information about the Attorney General's expected appearances, links to opinions and columns, as well as photos and other updates affecting the department and its law enforcement activities. To find the DOJ on Twitter, check out the address below. Log into Twitter and click "Follow" to receive DOJ "tweets." http://twitter.com/#!/WisDOJ
New Transportation Commission is Constituted
The most recent biennial budget created the new 11 member Wisconsin Commission on Transportation Finance and Policy. The commission has been charged with examining issues related to the future of transportation finance in this state. State Transportation Secretary Mark Gottlieb serves as a non-voting member of the commission. The commission is responsible for preparing a report with of its findings and recommendations and submit the report, no later than March 1, 2013, to the governor, the speaker of the assembly, the assembly minority leader, the senate majority leader, and the senate minority leader.
If you are interested in monitoring the committee's activities, WisDOT is maintaining a section on its website for the commission. Simply plug this address (http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/about/tfp/index.htm) into your search engine, and you will be taken its website.
More Flexibility to Toll Interstate Sought Transportation supporters in nearly a dozen states frustrated with the inability of the federal government to find the will to adequately fund the nation's transportation system have banded together with a simple request, " Just don't stand in the way." The U.S. Tolling Coalition is urging the Obama Administration and Congress to lift the ban on tolling the portions of the Interstate Highway System built decades ago with federal funding.
The Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association's Pat Goss and Don Shubert of the Connecticut Construction Industries Association are co-chairs of the coalition.
States are struggling to find the money to maintain and rebuild the more than 50-year old Interstate Highway System. Between the Fed's refusal to increase the gas tax and contined gains in car fuel efficiency, the traditional means of financing transportation via the gas tax is simply not up to the task.
Info on Walker Budget Impact
The Department of Public Instruction released the data for a recent survey done by the Wisconsin Association of Schools District Administrators. The administrators for 353 school districts responded, which accounts for 83% of Wisconsin school districts. MORE
Unemployment Changes Proposed
The Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council recently agreed to recommend changes to Wisconsin's laws related to unemployment. The agreement, which is forwarded to the Legislature for action, encompasses four department proposals, five proposals from management and one recommendation from labor. The Unemployment Insurance bill is through the Senate and awaiting floor action in the Assembly, but it will not be taken up until at least January. Click here for details (http://www.wmc.org/PDFfiles/UIAC_Agreed_Upon_Legislation_9-11.pdf). The Worker's Compensation Council is working on changes to the bill, which is currently being drafted. The Chamber will keep you posted on these issues. | |
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Former Chamber Board Chair Appointed to Board of Regents Governor Scott Walker has announced the appointment of Tim Higgins to the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents. MORE
Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Off and Running
East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission will be producing a bicycle and pedestrian plan for the Fox Cities and Oshkosh Urbanized Areas. Although many municipal bicycle and pedestrian plans have been done throughout the three county area of Calumet, Outagamie, and Winnebago Counties, there is not a current plan that focuses on the regional connectivity of bicycle and pedestrian networks throughout this study area. This plan will not only identify existing and planned facilities, but identify gaps, barriers, and needed connections to enhance a safe, accessible, and efficient regional bicycle and pedestrian network throughout and between the two urbanized areas. Connectivity with Valley Transit and Oshkosh Transit System buses, which include bicycle racks, will also be addressed. A Steering Committee is currently being developed to assist in guiding the planning process, which is anticipated to kick-off in early 2012 and conclude in late 2013. | |
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Miscellaneous |
Institute for Political Training
The Chamber is in the process of revamping its political training program. Designed originally to assist potential candidates for local political office, the remodeled edition will include information on running for state office. It will also offer information that will prove useful for those individuals who prefer to work behind the scenes on the many important campaign committees.
Meet Your Legislator Business Connection
Meet Your Legislator Business Connection will take place on Monday, January 23rd, from 5-7 PM. The event will once again be held at the Radisson Inn Paper Valley in Downtown Appleton. The Connection is a convenient way of sharing your tax and regulatory concerns with the folks who write the laws.
NEWCC Legislative Breakfast
The Northeast Wisconsin Chambers Coalition (NEWCC) Legislative Update is scheduled for Monday, January 30th, at the Radisson Inn Paper Valley Hotel. This year's speakers will include U.S. Senator Ron Johnson, and Congressmen Reid Ribble and Tom Petri. There will also be a presentation by the President of the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, Todd Berry Coalition, who will address the impact of the Walker Budget on state spending and Debt levels. The NEWCC is a collection of Chambers from across North East Wisconsin, meets annually to share its legislative agenda with state and federal officials, as well as release its How They Voted score card highlighting how our representatives voted on issues of concern to the Coalition and its members.
Business Day In Madison 2012
Politics and the economy will dominate the conversation, at both the state and federal level, as we gladly close the door on 2011 and hopefully step into 2012.
Please accept our invitation to join your contemporaries on the Chamber's annual trip to Business Day in Madison on Thursday, February 16. This year's day long event at the Monona Terrace Convention Center will feature nationally known political pollster Frank Luntz, Former White House Economic Policy Advisor Todd Buchholz, and Robert Bryce, Senior Fellow at the Manhatten Institute - Center for Energy Policy and the Environment. Keynoting the event will be Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. Early individual registration is $110, or $97.50 if we fill a table of 8 (after January 13 jumps to $140).
America's Small Business Summit - Early Head's Up
Please consider joining us for the U.S. Chamber's premier business event at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC on May 21-23. Terrific speakers. Heavy networking opportunities. Sponsor exhibits. Trip to Capitol Hill. If you would like to learn more, chat with Shannon, Thom, or Kevin Eismann.
Wisconsin Senate: Thompson (R) 49%, Baldwin (D) 42%
Survey of 500 Wisconsin Likely Voters Former Governor Tommy Thompson is the leading vote getter in Rasmussen Report's first
Election 2012 survey of the race in Wisconsin to replace retiring U.S. Senator Herb Kohl. | |
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