Transportation Moves Commerce

A well developed and maintained transportation infrastructure is vital to Wisconsin’s economy.  Businesses and consumers expect a well maintained system to efficiently move people and goods.  And we aren’t just talking roads.  Transit, airports, ports and rail are all important components of the transportation equation.

That’s why the Greater Madison Chamber Board of Directors supports a bi-partisan, state constitutional amendment to protect the segregated transportation fund.  Chamber staff, serving as your business voice, testified in support at Legislative hearings this past week.  If the Legislature approves the amendment, voters will get their say in November 2014.

For more information on the transportation fund, read this memo by the Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau.

Soglin Says City Needs to Change Perception through Performance

Speaking before the Chamber’s Small Business Advisory Council this morning, Madison Mayor Paul Soglin was optimistic about the direction of the city. A development deal is close for the Union Corners site, a high level of interest remains along the East Washington corridor, and the city will soon release a request for proposals for Judge Doyle Square.

The Mayor said he wants to change the city’s attitude towards business. In addition to procedural changes, employees from every city agency that does economic development business with the public will receive training on how to interact with customers and find a way to make projects happen.

The Mayor also called for more public and private dollars to create innovative spaces for entrepreneurs, saying “It’s our obligation to bring together city resources so people can flourish.”

State Board Recommends Changes to Agency Rules Impacting Small Businesses

Under direction from Governor Walker to find efficiencies and eliminate policies that hinder economic growth, the Wisconsin Small Business Regulatory Review Board has identified 307 agency rules recommended for modification or elimination.  A copy of the 2013 Wisconsin Regulatory Review Report may be found here.

Many of the recommendations are industry specific. The following could impact many small businesses.

1. Increase the thresholds which trigger Sales Tax Filing frequencies – a move which will reduce paperwork time for over 50,000 businesses statewide.
2. Create a model Unemployment Employer Manual to better prepare employers for unemployment insurance adjudications.
3. The Department of Workforce Development is in the process of adopting a new rule which would give the department flexibility in disciplining violations by small businesses.
4. Create a “Wisconsin One-stop Business Portal”. This e-Government program could allow businesses to register for unemployment insurance, workers compensation and taxation, and complete corporation registration in one centralized location.

Likely the most controversial recommendations in the report involve changes to unemployment compensation.  One would require those receiving unemployment compensation benefits to conduct four employment searches each week, instead of two as currently required. Another would make it more difficult to collect unemployment compensation if an employee quits his/her job.

The Wisconsin Legislature must approve these recommended rule changes before they take effect.

Zach Returns to Madison’s Economic Development Committee

Speaking before the City of Madison Economic Development Committee last night, Chamber President Zach Brandon presented his vision for successful partnerships to grow greater Madison’s economy. As a former member and advocate for the Economic Development Committee, Zach expressed his enthusiasm for how far the committee has come since its inception.

In his comments, Zach challenged the committee to be intrepid in its approach and unafraid to push the city outside of its comfort zone. He praised the committee for its recent work to revamp Madison’s strategy for tax incremental financing investment and the development approval process, as well as the committee’s attention to challenges facing entrepreneurs in the innovation economy. Zach assured committee members that the Chamber will be strong ally in economic development, particularly in business retention and expansion efforts.

Moving forward, Zach said the Chamber will be an advocate for innovation and work to make greater Madison identifiable to the rest of the world by building and protecting Madison’s strong brand.

Governor Defers to Feds on Health Care Exchanges

Governor Walker announced today that Wisconsin would not create a state-run health care exchange and instead defer to the federal government on implementation. A key component of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the exchanges will be a place for small businesses and individuals to purchase health insurance.

In a letter explaining his decision, the Governor said the long-term risk to Wisconsin taxpayers was too high and that even if Wisconsin were to set up its own unique exchange, it would still be controlled by the federal government.

The law requires the exchanges to be operational by 2014.