Wisconsin Policy Forum Releases State Budget Analysis

By Chamber staff

The Wisconsin Policy Forum recently released a Budget Brief report on Gov. Tony Evers’ 2025-27 proposed state budget. The report provides a detailed synopsis of the state’s fiscal picture, noting many opportunities – including a more than $4 billion budget surplus to draw from – as well as challenges, including rising inflation, uncertainty in federal funding and a record number of referenda by municipalities and school districts across the state. 

The Governor proposes using a significant portion of the state’s reserves, prioritizing K-12 education, shared revenue to local governments and funding for the Universities of Wisconsin. To pay for the new spending, the Governor proposes raising individual and corporate income taxes as well as limiting state incentives for manufacturers and capital gains. GOP leaders have signaled opposition to the Governor’s proposed spending plans, likely crafting their own plan from scratch through the Joint Committee on Finance. 

Also included within the report is a special in-depth analysis of the state’s childcare situation. The Chamber supported this work as part of continued advocacy to support public- and private-sector strategies that reduce barriers to entry for entrepreneurs and workers in the childcare industry. The Governor’s budget proposes spending $480 million over two years to fully reinstate the Child Care Counts program, which provides payments to childcare providers. The report estimates an unmet demand for childcare in Wisconsin of between 32 and 40%. Filling that demand would cost an estimated $655 million to $2 billion total. 

Wisconsin is not alone in this challenge. State governments across the country are using a variety of policy approaches to address both access and cost of care. In addition to direct funding, states have created employer cost-sharing and tax incentive programs (see Table 1).

Read the full report from the Wisconsin Public Policy Forum here.

Chamber announces Madison Common Council endorsements

Voice of business supports candidates focused on growth, economic opportunity

MADISON (Feb. 20, 2025) – The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors today announced its endorsements in the April 1 elections for Madison Common Council. The endorsement from the Chamber’s 48-member Board highlights candidates who demonstrate strong leadership on business and economic issues and is based on several factors, including alignment with the Chamber’s Belong advocacy agenda.

“We need innovation, creativity and decisive action from our elected officials,” said Chamber President Zach Brandon. “These candidates have the right experience and will move quickly to address our collective challenges and help our region achieve shared prosperity.”

The Chamber Board is proud to endorse the following candidates for Madison Common Council (I = incumbent):

District 1: John W. Duncan (I)
District 2: Will Ochowicz
District 3: Derek Field (I)
District 4: Mike Verveer (I)
District 5: Regina Vidaver (I)
District 6: Davy Mayer
District 7: Badri Lankella
District 9: Joann Pritchett
District 10: Yannette Figueroa Cole (I)
District 11: Bill Tishler (I)
District 14: Isadore Knox, Jr. (I)
District 15: Ryan Koglin
District 16: Sean O’Brien
District 18: Carmella Glenn
District 19: John Guequierre (I)
District 20: Barbara Harrington-McKinney (I)

To read candidate questionnaire responses and learn more, visit here.

The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with more than 1,200 organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 10,000 employees – working to bring the Greater Madison region to its full potential. Learn more at  madisonbiz.com.

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Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub Approved for $49 Million in Phase 2 Funding

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (July 2, 2024)

Contact: Erik Greenfield, Communications Manager, 608-443-1952 (office), 608-669-7884 (cell)

Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub Approved for $49 Million in Phase 2 Funding
Chamber celebrates announcement, calls on Congress to fully fund program

MADISON – Today, the U.S. Economic Development Administration announced the approval of $49 million in Phase 2 funding, as part of the Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs program, for the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub application. Wisconsin’s Tech Hub, focused on personalized medicine, was one of just 12 Tech Hubs across the country to receive funding.

In response to today’s announcement, Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce President Zach Brandon released the following statement:

“This is tremendous news for Greater Madison’s and Wisconsin’s economy, and it validates our standing as a global leader in health innovation.

“The Chamber has championed the concept of a regional technology hub program going back to 2019, and it has been a cornerstone of our federal advocacy ever since. From leveraging Chamber programming to diligent behind-the-scenes work with partners and our congressional delegation, we have worked tirelessly toward the goal of creating and funding this important federal place-based economic program.

“This is a huge win for our region and our state, but our work is not done yet. We call on Congress to fund the program beyond the current appropriated amount of $500 million and reach the fully authorized amount of $10 billion to build upon today’s announced investments. This is critical to unlocking the full potential of this program and maximizing our nation’s innovation output.”

About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with more than 1,200 organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 10,000 employees – working to bring the Greater Madison area to its full potential. The Greater Madison region is a leader in innovation. From cutting-edge technologies to distinctive retail shops to inventive services and products, our members vary greatly but are united by the region’s entrepreneurial spirit. More information can be found at madisonbiz.com.

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Statement from Chamber President on President Biden’s Executive Actions Impacting Dreamers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 18, 2024)

Contact: Erik Greenfield, Communications Manager, 608-443-1952 (office), 608-669-7884 (cell)

Statement from Chamber President on President Biden’s Executive Actions Impacting Dreamers
Policy will help address workforce shortage, grow the economy

MADISON – Today, President Joe Biden announced executive actions that will impact beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and certain other immigrants to the U.S. Specifically, the orders will ease the work visa process for DACA recipients and provide them a path to citizenship.

The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce has highlighted this issue in its Belong advocacy agenda and in meetings with Wisconsin’s congressional delegation, including both Senators, as recently as last month. In response to today’s announcement, Chamber President Zach Brandon released the following statement:

“Our business community has been advocating for years for a streamlined pathway for DACA recipients. For as many years, we have been told by both sides of the aisle the other side would have to give first.

“Red and blue states alike have taken it upon themselves to attempt to solve this critical federal issue, including a bipartisan delegation in the Wisconsin State Assembly. We are facing a talent imperative, and in Wisconsin alone, there are nearly 6,000 DACA recipients ready to help solve it.

“We appreciate President Biden’s leadership on this issue, and we hope this is a step toward congressional action on a permanent solution.”

About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with more than 1,200 organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 10,000 employees – working to bring the Greater Madison area to its full potential. The Greater Madison region is a leader in innovation. From cutting-edge technologies to distinctive retail shops to inventive services and products, our members vary greatly but are united by the region’s entrepreneurial spirit. More information can be found at madisonbiz.com.

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Testimony from Chamber President Zach Brandon to the Wisconsin Assembly Committee on Regulatory Licensing Reform

Re: Support AB 822 – Eligibility to receive occupational credentials for recipients of DACA program 

Thank you, Chairman Sortwell and members of the committee. My name is Zach Brandon, and I am President of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce. I am here today on behalf of our board of directors in support of AB 822, which would increase access for professional licenses to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. This proposal provides an opportunity to address our workforce shortage, grow our state’s economy and support the contributions and career aspirations of thousands of individuals here in Wisconsin.   

The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce represents more than 1,200 member businesses throughout the Greater Madison region – from new and emerging businesses in cutting-edge industries to small businesses and large enterprise. While diverse in size and industries, collectively, we are working to accelerate our region’s economy and improve Wisconsin’s global economic positioning.  

On that front, there are many good stories to share. Our region boasts steady job growth in advanced, competitive industries, has high workforce participation and robust population growth, led by Gen Z (18–26-year-olds) net migration and new hires. In fact, our region is a top 10 metro in the country for net Gen Z migration, with projections putting us on the cusp of the top five in the next two years. Young people are flocking to our region, which offers tremendous opportunities for our entire state.  

With these tailwinds come challenges. Despite our positive in-migration, we continue to have among the lowest unemployment rates in the country. That’s great if you are looking for work, but problematic if you are a growing employer in need of workers. The demand for skilled workers currently exceeds the supply. Simply put, we are facing a talent imperative in our region and in our state. We must do more – now – to make our great state a place of belonging to attract, develop and ultimately retain talent.  

DACA recipients are part of that opportunity – and a population that we should all want to keep here in Wisconsin. According to the American Immigration Council, on a conservative estimate, the nearly 6,000 DACA recipients in Wisconsin pay more than an estimated $20 million in state and local taxes. They are us. They are our friends, our family, our neighbors and our employees. We shop with them, we worship with them, and we work with them. They live here, they are invested here, and we should reduce barriers for them to further their academic and career aspirations here.  

The bipartisan collaboration on this legislative package is important and commendable. I hope the committee will join us by giving its full support.  

Thank you.