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NEWS FROM THE CAPITOL
AND AROUND WISCONSIN
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EVERS LOOKS TO CHANGE STATE'S CONTRACT WITH FOXCONN
Governor Tony Evers last week announced that he is actively looking to renegotiate the state's contract with Chinese tech corporation Foxconn. The current deal allows for the company to receive more than $3 billion in taxpayer subsidies through credits and other incentives in exchange for a $10 billion capital investment, and the creation of 13,000 jobs.
The company is only allowed to receive those credits if it actually meets capital and job creation benchmarks, of which it fell short last year by creating only 178 jobs of the 270 required to receive incentives. By the end of 2020, the company will have needed to create 1,642 jobs in order to receive any tax incentives.
But Governor Evers said he believes the company's footprint will be much smaller than originally agreed upon, therefore he would like to renegotiate the deal.
"Foxconn remains committed to our contract with the State of Wisconsin," a Foxconn statement said. The company also said they plan to work with Governor Evers' administration in a "forthcoming and transparent manner."
WISCONSIN UNEMPLOYMENT REMAINS AT HISTORIC LOWS
The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development last week released the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics preliminary employment estimates for the month of March.
The data showed that the Badger State added 9,200 total non-farm jobs and 12,400 private-sector jobs from March 2018 to March 2019. Wisconsin's unemployment rate remained at 2.9 percent in March, and Wisconsin's labor force participation rate remained at 67.5 percent.
The national unemployment rate in March was 3.8 percent.
YOUR LAST OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN ON GOVERNOR EVERS' $83 BILLION SPENDING PLAN
The co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Finance will hold their final public hearing for the state budget bill introduced by Governor Tony Evers.
As always, WPT members wishing to attend a public hearing may request more in-depth information on the budget, or assistance with the process by calling our Madison office at 608-255-7473, or e-mailing info@wptonline.org. WPT staff can assist with drafting public testimony, and provide tips for testifying in front of the committee.
"We highly encourage the public to attended these public hearings. Hearing comments, concerns, and opinions from Wisconsin citizens is key for us to craft the best possible budget for our state," the Co-Chairs' statement said.
Written comments can be e-mailed to the committee directly at budgetcomments@legis.wisconsin.gov.
The final opportunity for public input:
Wednesday, April 24 (10AM-5PM)
UW-Green Bay Union
Phoenix Room
2430 Campus Court
Green Bay, WI
PALMYRA-EAGLE SCHOOL DISTRICT BEGINS PROCESS OF DISSOLVING
Last month, school district officials in the Palmyra-Eagle School District issued an ultimatum to voters: pass an $11.5 million referendum for the school to keep it's doors open, or the district would dissolve permanently.
The referendum failed because 61% of voters said no, and the school board last week approved a resolution to consider the dissolution of the school district. That is the first official step in the process of dissolving a school district legally. According to Wisconsin state statute, the district will now have to vote to order its dissolving. That vote is scheduled for July, at which time another layer of government that voters may not be aware of- the School District Boundary Appeal Board- will make a decision by January of 2020.
According to one administrator, there is "no way" to make the finances of the district work. Nearby Mukwanago School District is already approaching 100 open enrollment applications from families in the Palmyra- Eagle School District.
EVERS CREATES TASK FORCE TARGETING PAYROLL FRAUD
Governor Evers has signed an executive order that creates a task force charged with tackling the problem of 'payroll fraud' in Wisconsin, according to the executive's office.
Payroll fraud is when a businesses illegally avoid paying taxes and unemployment insurance by paying their workers cash or claim their employees are independent contractors. It is also known as "worker misclassification."
The Department of Workforce Development said an audit showed there were nearly 8,700 misclassified employees in Wisconsin in 2018, and around $1.5 million in new tax penalties were generated as a result of an audit of worker misclassification.
Labor unions praised Evers' action in a flurry of press releases, lauding the executive order as a win for working families and protections for workers from "corrupt employers who cut costs by scamming workers and the state of Wisconsin," according to one labor union boss.
UW STUDY: LEGALIZING MEDICAL MARIJUANA WOULD GENERATE $1.1 BILLION
A study conducted at the request of a Dane County officials by a group of graduate students at the University of Wisconsin's La Follette School of Public Affairs showed that Wisconsin would see over $1 billion in new economic activity as a result of legalizing marijuana for medical uses.
According to the State Journal, the study also analyzed the costs associated with arrests for marijuana possession for 25 grams of marijuana or fewer. They substituted those criminal justice costs instead for municipal fines. The research found that $30 million would be generated in savings on criminal justice costs.
On the medical side, the graduate researchers found that lives would be saved from opioid overdoses, and that the economic benefit would reach about $233 million from medical patients purchasing marijuana rather than opioids. Additionally, the researchers calculated costs associated with marijuana, including public awareness campaigns and nearly $300,000 for emergency room visits for children who ingest marijuana.
A Marquette University Law School Poll last week found that 83% of Wisconsinites favor medical legalization, while 59% support recreational legalization.
ASSEMBLY SPEAKER OPEN TO HEALTH CARE NEGOTIATIONS
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said that he is open to negotiating with Governor Evers on his proposals for health care in Wisconsin, and favors using surplus dollars for those proposals instead of accepting Medicaid expansion funds from the federal government.
Around $320 million would be freed up from the state budget if the state were to accept those funds.
The speaker said he favors using cash on hand for things such as eliminating the wait list for children with disabilities to receive medical care. "We should use [our current] resources and we haven't focused those on priorities (that) we agree on," Vos said.
The Speaker contends that, though there may be an influx of cash from a Medicaid expansion, those numbers would be offset by increases for people who have private health insurance. "Putting even more people under government-run health care would drive up the cost of the people in the private sector," he said.
Governor Evers said he was pleased to hear that the Speaker is open to using surplus dollars, but "remains disappointed" that he will not change his mind on expanding Medicaid.
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WEEKLY MEMBER POLL RESULTS
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Let's start with an easy one: Have your taxes been filed?
I paid more in taxes this year due to the new limit on state/local tax deductions.
OWE
Refund, had more taken out because Obamacare screws my taxes up every year
I owed big time, great economy, made lots more money and didn't pay in enough on my quarterlies. Self employed
Seems I always owe...Now that Ever's is GOV, I should hold onto my pocketbook with both hands!
owe
Sold a major asset in 2018 so there's no comparison to the past years.
Best refund we ever had... of course we made less money too!
owe
refund
My percentage taxed went up. thanks for nuthin trump
I did get a refund from the State of Wi. I had to pay some Federal Tax
Owed
Owe
refund; only because I pay in extra quarterly
ok
Refund, less than last year.
owe
Always owe, we farm and pay March 1.
Owe
I owe. I guess we should be happy to pay taxes. It means you're making money!!
Refund
owe
Owe for federal, refund for state
refund
Small refund. I prefer to NOT give Uncle my money at 0% interest.. Yet... I would rather receive asmall refund rather than pay in & possibly be penalized for NOT withholding enough
Don't have to file,, no money back or paid in.
Overpaid in estimates so will go toward 2019 estimates - S corp
A Republican lawmaker has introduced a bill that would require DATCP to place stickers on every gas pump in Wisconsin, displaying the amount of the gas tax. What do you think?
This is just a political stunt. Raise the gas tax and fix our roads!
We need a tire excise tax and no exemptions period so those who drive pay for the roads, most equitable means to make sure all vehicles using the roads have some skin in the game
Some do this already, holy crap do we pay a lot of taxes on everything we do.
Who would be opposed to this?
Just another waste of taxpayers money!!!!!
They are there for their annual inspection anyway, so there's little cost to inform the public of these motor fuel taxes other than to redesign the annual pump sticker used by inspector.
Who pays for the stickers?
full tax cost/revenue disclosed
A reminder to out of staters that they are helping!
I personally think people do not understand or know how much tax is on a gallon of gas
It will cost taxpayer money to make and place the stickers.
Why not? Everyone should know.
Why not? I think if more people realized they would not be too happy
Would cost a lot of money they don't have.
people should be more aware of how much we are taxed
Everyone needs to know how much the gas tax is currently so they can form an opinion as to whether or not there is a need to raise the gas tax. Plus, it is one way having transparency for the taxpayers.
If people realized how much tax they pay, they may take offence
Why not? More information is better right governor e
Should have always been posted on pumps
I do not know why this is needed, the price is going to be what it is. Will it cost us to make the stickers?
Everything else has a sticker for what is inside it that's what you are paying for
It's good to know what you are paying for
I would like to know what I am paying for tax. Great idea.
State Senator Kooyenga is drafting legislation that would create "baby boxes" in Wisconsin. After reading the article: good idea or bad idea?
This is a solution in search of a problem.
I just can't believe a human being could harm a baby.
better than the alternative
Is this really where we have gotten to? So dumb and so disappointing.
It's better than finding them in the garbage
Anything that makes it safer for the babies.
Seems like a big expense for something that rarely happens. How about we advertise on t.v. and social media that ever hospital or police station is a drop off with no questions asked
lets stick the money in education in high school not boxes where 99.9% never used or maintained but money gone
Expensive; why can't we just promote dropping them in Churches through public service announcements, so sad what happened
Why should an innocent have to die because of someone else'shame?
Its to bad if a person does not want the baby, they that could just go a hospital leave the baby with ownly minor paper work to be adopted
If THIS SAVES ONE BABY ITS WORTH IT.
I thought there were already safe haven laws that allow drop off at hospitals, police and fire, etc?? Do we really need a specialized box for this? I mean, we allow millions of babies to be murdered every year with abortion. Why would we spend tons of $ on these boxes?
Every Live is given by God. Let's protect his gift.
I am appalled this hasn't already been happening.
we must do everything possible to end infanticide and save lives
I think this is a good idea, it will hopefully give the newborn an opportunity to survive. Also, people have to realize there may be or a possibility the mother sees she is unable to provide the care needed for the newborn. This is a much better option than trying to figure out what criminal charges should filed against the mother for abandoning the newborn.
Every life saved is important.
Yes. It is in line with the US Constitution.
Just another way to help people not be responsible for their actions
Better than the alternative
Well, on the surface, it sounds like it's something out of the Twilight Zone. But if that's what this civilization has come to, I guess it's a good idea if it keeps baby humans alive and gives a capable couple a chance to provide for a helpless infant.
The best idea, some mothers are not meant to be a mom , this way they will know their baby is safe & taken care of.
The legislature has passed legislation that would make it easier for the DOT to investigate fraudulent auto sales, after dozens of allegations against an auto consignment business in the Fox Valley. Would you ever sell an automobile of yours on consignment?
It's generally always better to trade the car in to reduce your sales tax liability.
All sales private, Keeps the middle man out
Only used them for trade-ins.
typically trade, but last car was given to daughter
both on consignment, trade in and Craig list great results
It's easy to sell on social media
always sold privately. never a problem over the last dozen or so...
I deal with car dealers that I know in the area, that been in the dealership for years
no
I think the auto consignment business is a very deceptive business and should not be in existence.
Both. Have used Craig list too sell a couple. It's quick and easy
Have sold several from the front yard. Mostly trade it in.
Traded up to a newer one.
I have sold my own vehicles and it is always a pain, but consignment to me would be a last resort.
Trade in. Skip the hassle
I'm not sure I've ever owned a vehicle that didn't go from my possession directly to the scrap yard.
Sold a couple, traded a couple.
Never sold a car on consignment.. use it for a trade-in.
Sports topic: On this date in 1987, the Milwaukee Brewers had their first no-hitter in franchise history. Juan Nieves was the pitcher and also became the first Puerto Rican-born pitcher to accomplish the feat. (Source: Wisconsin Historical Society). Have you been paying attention to the Milwaukee Brewers? What are your thoughts? Happy Jeffress will be back in the rotation? And how about the Milwaukee Bucks? Best overall team in the NBA, No. 1 seed in the playoffs, and already up 1-0 in their series against Detroit. Any predictions on how far they will go?
I fear the Brewers will flame out this year. And I fear the NBA won't allow the Bucks to win a championship, much to the surprise of no one.
Brewers have picked up where they left off. Great entertainment from both teams
Brewers are doing great, Bucks are doing great, hopefully the Packers will do great.
Brewers look pretty good, pitching has some struggles, not sure what Jeffress will add, surprised they kept him and a few others in the bull pen, they are struggling big time. Bucks are fun to watch, some entertaining players on the team, and they play like a team!
Both the Bucs and Brewers owe us a few good years and a few good runs into the playoffs. They've had us on a drought until last year.
like the way the Brewers and Bucks are playing
Brew Crew is rocking... long season hope they can keep it going all thee way to WS - Go Bucks!
Brewers off to good start. Bucks have chance to go all the way.
Remember the days of Wendy Selig-Prieb? The Brewers have come a long way,Baby!
Yes Brewers fan No to Milwaukee Bucks They refused to stay at a Trump hotel where they already had reservations just because they didn't like it that President Trump was elected Thumbs Down
Wisconsin sports teams rock
I follow the Brewers and the Bucks - was really happy for Tiger on Sunday, too! I'd like to see the Bucks go all the way, looking for a free livestream of the Bucks this weekend, I was saddened to see the Police Video of Sterling Brown on youtube
dont follow professional baseball
I can't predict but I sure hope they go all the way.
Happy and proud of our local teams but really don't pay too much attention or see many games due to the high costs
Now lets see if the Packers can come back on line.
Not much of an NBA fan but nice to see them doing well. Happy about the Brewers!
Always good to have our teams succeed.
Love the Bucks, they'll go all the way. The Brewers and Bucks are good for Wisconsin!
I have been following the Brewers from afar. Now, who are these bucks you speak of?
Brewers on ? .... Wife controls the remote.
Not into the Brewers or Bucks.
Great time to be a fan I'm Wisconsin
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It is the policy of WPT, Inc. to publish all comments that are submitted by members each week, often including broad differences of opinion within the weekly responses. Our organization values our role in fostering dialogue within our membership each week, but does not take responsibility for the individual views and opinions expressed herein.
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BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW OR VETOED
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LRB-2636
Memo Lupus Awareness Month (Schraa, Michael) Proclaiming May as Lupus Awareness Month in Wisconsin. Deadline: Friday, April 19
LRB-2177
Memo State Park Plates (Vruwink, Don) Special registration plates providing admission to state parks and recreation areas and making an appropriation. Deadline: Monday, April 29, 5 pm
LRB-1441
Memo Veteran Fee Remission (Vruwink, Don) Fee remission for certain veterans enrolled in University of Wisconsin System institutions or technical colleges. Deadline: Monday, April 29, 5 pm
LRB-0345
Memo Medicare Supplement Policies (Vruwink, Don) Changing medicare supplement policies. Deadline: Monday, April 29, 5 pm
LRB-2194
Memo Sexual Assault Kits (Steffen, David) Storage and processing of sexual assault kits and requiring the exercise of rule-making authority. Deadline: Tuesday, April 30, 5 pm
LRB-2592
Memo Medical Marijuana (Sortwell, Shae) Persons who use medical marijuana legally and possession of a firearm and confidentiality of the registry status of a person on a medical marijuana registry. Deadline: Wednesday, May 1, 5 pm
LRB-2011
Memo Alcohol Licenses (Kapenga, Chris) Issuance by municipalities of alcohol beverage operator's licenses. Deadline: Friday, April 26, 5 pm
LRB-1168
Memo Investment Credit Allocation (Zimmerman, Shannon) Allocation of early stage seed investment credit to offset taxes imposed on insurers. Deadline: Friday, May 3, Noon
LRB-0154
Memo Marijuana Legalization (Sargent, Melissa) Marijuana possession, regulation of marijuana distribution and cultivation, medical marijuana, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of marijuana, requiring the exercise of rule-making authority, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. Deadline: Thursday, May 2, 5 pm
LRB-2412
Memo Military Credit Transfer (Kooyenga, Dale) Transferring academic credits from military transcripts to University of Wisconsin System schools and technical colleges. Deadline: Thursday, May 5, 5 pm
LRB-1030
Memo Pension Tax Exemption (Ohnstad, Tod) Exempting from taxation the pension benefits of certain retired federal employees. Deadline: Tuesday, April 30, 5 pm
LRB-1259
Memo School Revenue Adjustment (Marklein, Howard) The school district revenue limit adjustment for declining enrollment and the prior year base revenue hold harmless adjustment. Deadline: Wednesday, May 1, 1 pm
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