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 The MWFPA Bulletin is underwritten in part by Focus on Energy | | |
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| GOP Tide Carries House, Dems Control Senate | | |
Republicans scored sweeping victories in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2010 midterms and left Democrats holding at least 53 seats and a reduced majority in the Senate. While a few House races have yet to be officially called, there will be at least a 60-member swing, tipping the balance of power toward the GOP.
Rep. Frank Lucas of Oklahoma is expected to become agriculture committee chairman. Some think he will spend much of the next two years reviewing the effectiveness of federal farm policies, particularly those programs set to expire with the current farm law in 2012. MWFPA will be watching closely to ensure that the current farm flex provisions are protected.
In the Senate, it remains to be seen, but Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) is thought to be in line to chair the agriculture committee now that Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) has lost re-election.
The food safety legislation, which Sen. Feinstein has been attempting to amend to ban BPA, may be dealt with during the upcoming lame duck session.
MWFPA anticipates little legislative progress in the next Congress, as 2011 will likely see Republicans focusing on controversial legislation passed by the last Congress and enacting a budget, processes that will be long and contentious; and 2012 will feature a President campaigning for re-election.
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| The MWFPA Bulletin is underwritten in part by Storeroom Solutions | | |
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| MN Legislative Shocker | |
In a stunning election night surprise, MN Senate Republicans picked up 16 seats to take a 37-30 majority. DFLers held a 46-21 seat advantage going into the election. House Republicans picked up a 72-62 seat majority netting 25 seats in the mid-term election.
Thus, Republicans will control both chambers of the MN Legislature for the first time in nearly 40 years.
A recount in MN's race for governor might eventually crown Democrat Mark Dayton the winner, but drag on so long that the Legislature convenes in January with retiring GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty staying in office.
House Republicans elected Rep. Kurt Zellers to be the next Speaker of the House. Republicans also elected Rep. Matt Dean to be the new House Majority Leader. The GOP Senate Majority Leader will be Amy Koch.
The Minnesota Legislature will face a serious budget crisis in the upcoming legislative session. The choices they make in solving Minnesota's $6 billion budget shortfall will determine the shape of government and the state's economic climate for years to come.
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| WI GOP Gains Senate, Assembly & Governor's Office | |
WI Republicans regained majority party status, 19-14 in the State Senate, defeating Democratic Majority Leader Russ Decker, and three of four Democratic Senators elected four years ago when Democrats took control.
The GOP overwhelmed the Dems for a majority in the WI Assembly, 60-38-1. Republicans defeated incumbents in 10 districts and captured four seats in which Democrats did not seek re-election.
Assembly Speaker-Elect Jeff Fitzgerald has named Rep. Robin Vos as the co-chair of the powerful Joint Finance Committee.
Senate Majority Leader-Elect Scott Fitzgerald named Republican Sen. Alberta Darling as the Senate co-chair.
The $2.7 billion state budget deficit will no doubt be the center of attention in the upcoming legislative session, giving little flexibility to legislators for other policy initiatives until the economy turns around.
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| IL Resists GOP Election Tide | |
IL Democrats held off several strong Republican challenges around the state to maintain control the Governor's office, the Senate and the House.
In the Senate, the Democrat majority will continue, however, the Democrats lost two incumbents making the party split there 35-24. Democrats no longer have a "super majority" of members. To override a gubernatorial veto requires 36 votes.
House Democrats retained their majority, 64-54, having lost a total of six seats.
One big change for Illinois comes in the U.S. Senate race where Mark Kirk (R) defeated Alexi Giannoulias (D) by 48% to 46%. Not only will this affect the next Congress, it will also have an impact in the upcoming "lame duck" session. This election was held to fill the unexpired term of President Obama. Thus, Kirk will be immediately seated in the U.S. Senate and will be able to vote on those matters left in limbo by the current Congress
when it adjourned for campaigning.
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| Welcome New Members! | |
Help us welcome our newest Association Members! Find out more about these companies by clicking on their company name and visiting their website. |
| MWFPA Convention Is Almost Upon Us!! |
The MWFPA Annual Convention is almost upon us as we get set for the KI Convention Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin, November 30 -- December 2, 2010. Convention sponsorships are still available, but going fast! Sponsors receive prominent on-site  event signage and exposure on event programs, the MWFPA website and promotional materials. Increase your company visibility by becoming a sponsor today! Over 130 exhibitor booths have been sold guaranteeing that the convention will showcase the latest machinery, packaging equipment and accessories required by the industry.
Participation in networking events can yield new growth opportunities and partnerships, and the MWFPA convention provides a perfect setting to develop fresh ideas with industry colleagues so you can take your business to the next level.
The general convention agenda is below. See the Schedule of Events at our website for updates.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
- MWFPA Board Meeting
- Exhibitor Check In
- Registration Open
- Processing Crops Conference Begins
- All Industry Reception -- Lambeau Field Atrium
Wednesday, December 1, 2010 - Convention and Trade Show Begins
- Registration Continues
- Keynote Speaker -- Elizabeth Pavonka, president of the Produce For Better Health Foundation
- Breakout Session: Can Total Dissolved Solids be Cost Effectively Treated?
- Breakout Session: Social Media and Customer Service
- Spouse/Guest Tour: Cooking Class, Chocolate & Chardonnay
- Motivational Speaker -- Santana Dotson, retired defensive tackle, Green Bay Packers
- Breakout Session: Federal Legislation & The Food Industry
- Breakout Session: Emergency Preparedness & Water Security
- Breakout Session: Minnesota Industrial Storm Water Permits
- Breakout Session: Biomass Boilers in the Food Industry
- Breakout Session: Using Performance Competencies to Drive Organization Results
- Breakout Session: Use of Quallity Systems to Improve Food Safety
- Processing Crops Conference Continues
- Chairman's Reception -- Hotel Sierra
- Dance to R2, Classic Rock tribute band -- Hotel Sierra
Thursday, December 2, 2010 - Convention and Trade Show Continues
- Safety Breakfast -- Economist & Futurist Dr. Jay Lehr
- Spouse/Guest Tour of Lambeau Field & Lunch
- Annual Membership Meeting
- Breakout Session: Thermal Processing Panel
- Breakout Session: Safety Roundtable: What Are Your Best Safety Practices
- MWFPA Board of Directors meeting
- Breakout Session: Bang for the Buck - Eliminate Entitlement and Drive Performance
- Lunch Speaker -- Tim Walkoe, Chicago Comedian
- Breakout Session: Food Allergen and Mycotoxins
- Breakout Session: Turning Waste Stream Into Revenue Stream
- Breakout Session: OSHA's New Aggressive Compliance Directives - What All Food Companies Need To Know
- EXPO Cash Drawings & Big Screen TV Raffle Drawing
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| MWFPA Calendar of Events | |
November 30-Dec.2, 2010: MWFPA 106th Annual Convention and 83rd Annual Processing Crops Conference, Green Bay, Wisconsin, KI Convention Center. Don't miss this invaluable opportunity to gain exclusive insights from some of the industry's most innovative and knowledgeable representatives and to make meaningful contacts with clients, prospects and referral sources. Register now at our website.
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| MWFPA Educational Opportunities | |
November 23, 2010: Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Use in the Great Lakes Region Food Processing Industries. This free webinar will be held from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. Advanced registration is required for this presentation by Joe Kramer, Energy Center of Wisconsin and Joe Cantwell, Focus on Energy and R.W. Beck. With a special focus on the Great Lakes region, this webinar provides an overview of current biogas utilization options, Wisconsin incentives for renewable energy from food industry biogas, and examples of food processing operations that use anaerobic digestion of residues for biogas production or value-added products. Register here.
November 30-December 9, 2010: Soil, Water, & Nutrient Management Meetings. The University of Wisconsin Dept. of Soil Science in conjunction with the UW-Cooperative Extension will conduct 8 meetings at various locations throughout WI, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The meetings will provide research updates in the field of soil fertility, nutrient management, soil and water conservation, and water quality. The cost is $35 at all locations. For more information contact Matt Ruark, or call 608-263-2889.
December 1-3, 2010: Intermediate Ammonia Refrigeration Systems, Pyle Center, 702 Langdon Street, Madison, WI. Expand your knowledge of ammonia refrigeration systems in this practical course for refrigeration system operators and mechanics, plant, facilities, application and design engineers and ammonia refrigeration contractors. For more information, click here.
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The MWFPA News Bulletin is published twice monthly or as developments warrant, and is intended for a general audience of manufacturers and suppliers of food and agricultural products. |
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