Tourism Budget Update & Lobby Day Recap
April 23, 2015
Dear WH&LA Lodging Member:
Yesterday was an eventful day at the State Capitol between Joint Finance Committee finalizing their Tourism Budget deliberations and WH&LA's Action Day with over 50 WH&LA members meeting with their state legislators to talk about our top issues!
STATE TOURISM BUDGET
On Tuesday we shared with you the Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) paper issued for Joint Finance Committee regarding options for the treatment of Earmarks in the State Tourism Budget. WH&LA immediately submitted a memo seeking reinstatement of the full $475,000/year previously earmarked, with a request however that this funding would be provided without earmarks.
The good news is that Joint Finance Committee, on a unanimous 16-0 vote, did reinstate the $475,000/year in funding, but they also included continuation of the current earmarks. However, they did add a requirement that the Department of Tourism must conduct a study of: (a) the statewide benefits of the marketing earmarks as currently enacted; and (b) possible alternative marketing expenditures that could be made with the funds should the earmarks be removed. This study must be submitted to the Joint Finance Committee by January 1, 2017, (prior to introduction of the next biennial budget). This could set the stage for removal of earmarks in the next budget cycle.
As another part of of the Tourism Budget, the Governor's proposal had removed Tourism's oversight of both the Kickapoo Valley Reserve and Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Boards and shifted the oversight and their budgets to the DNR. Joint Finance Committee unanimously shifted the Kickapoo Valley Reserve Board administration back to the Department of Tourism; however, breaking out their budget to be listed as a separate agency with their own Board directly remitting their biennial budget requests, instead of through Tourism. The Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board will adhere to the Governor's recommendation, administratively attaching them to the DNR; however, their Board also will be able to remit their own biennial budget request without going through the DNR.
OTHER STATE BUDGET ACTIONS YESTERDAY
In the Governor's Budget proposal, the budget of the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center was cut by $52,400/year. Joint Finance Committee yesterday unanimously approved the reinstatement of the $52,400/year funding under the budget of the State Historical Society.
The Wisconsin Sports and Entertainment Center funding deliberations continue with a second meeting today between key lawmakers at the state and Milwaukee city and county levels as they continue to work on determining a funding package that all sides can agree to before sending it to the Joint Finance Committee for consideration.
It is predicted that the Joint Finance Committee may not meet again now until the updated state revenue estimates are released in early May. This would allow them to incorporate adjustments depending on the results.
WH&LA ACTION DAY YESTERDAY
With double the attendance from last year, WH&LA's Action Day drew lodging members from around the state to the Edgewater Hotel in Madison to hear about many developing issues from Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore State Rep. Tyler August and Assembly Minority Leader State Rep. Peter Barca, both strong supporters of the tourism industry. Attendees were provided with updated resources on five top issues they planned to bring forward to their legislators:
- Restoration of the State Tourism Budget
- Protection of the September 1 School Start Date
- The Need for Statewide Room Tax Reform
- Support of Transportation Infrastructure Funding
- Support of Funding for the Wisconsin Sports & Entertainment Center, provided there is Milwaukee city and county support invested as well.
Over 40 meetings with State Assembly Representatives and/or their key staff, and 22 meetings with State Senate members and/or their key staff took place yesterday with Action Day attendees, with multiple members in most meetings. This was an extremely effective way to have our industry voice delivered in person by constituents in legislator's districts, and the feedback from both legislators and attendees has been very positive. Just a few of the pictures are shown below for your viewing, and thank you again to all of our attendees for making your voices count at the Capitol!
Above: Action Day participants gather in Capitol rotunda
Below: (L to R) WH&LA Chairman John Chastan, Kalahari Resort Convention Center & Waterpark, Wisconsin Dells; Chairman-Elect Dan Schetter, CHA, BEST WESTERN PREMIER Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center, Oshkosh; and Past Chairman Kevin Gallagher, Marcus Hotels & Resorts, Milwaukee
Above: WH&LA group meets with Rep. Tyler August
Below: Rep. Peter Barca addresses Action Day attendees
Above: Action Day discussions in Capitol rotunda
Below: Participant discusses industry issues with WH&LA contract lobbyist Kathi Kilgore
Above: More Action Day discussions
Below: IDM Hospitality Management Action Day team
Below: Action Day participants
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