BY STALLING USMCA, DEMOCRATS STAND IN WAY OF NEW JOBS, PROSPERITY FOR MIDWEST
By: Senator Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point)
Majority Caucus Vice Chair
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Enough is enough. It’s time for Democrats in Congress to join their Republican colleagues and demand that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stop stifling our economies in the Midwest and finally approve President Trump’s new trade deal with our North American neighbors.
The trilateral United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) makes much-needed updates and revisions to NAFTA, correcting the imbalances that have kept American workers at a competitive disadvantage for decades and opening up much needed new markets for our farmers.
President Trump managed to get Mexico and Canada to sign the deal in remarkably short order, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has refused to let the deal come up for a vote, leaving Wisconsin farmers and workers high and dry.
Pelosi has sidelined the USMCA for months despite bipartisan support for the deal, creating the impression that she’s obstructing a trade deal that would strengthen the U.S. economy for purely political purposes.
Of course, this political pettiness comes at a painful cost to ordinary Americans. Wisconsin and the 11 other Midwestern states export about $150 billion worth of goods to Mexico and Canada every year — a figure that is projected to increase by about 5-7% once the deal is implemented. This means that we’re missing out on billions of dollars and thousands of news jobs in America’s heartland while this deal remains in limbo.
The National Association of Manufacturers has observed that passage of the USMCA “is critical for Wisconsin manufacturers and workers,” noting that the state’s ability “to sell more American-made products to Canada and Mexico is tied directly to tariff-free and rules-based trade in North America.”
Of course, the Midwest is not the only region that will benefit from the USMCA — according to the U.S. International Trade Commission, the agreement will create 176,000 new jobs nationwide and add $68.2 billion to the U.S. economy.
For this reason, more than 350 organizations representing manufacturers across the country recently sent a letter to Congress urging lawmakers to ratify the USMCA “as soon as possible,” pointing out that North America is “the most significant trade market” for the U.S.
Mexico’s Senate has already approved the deal by an overwhelming margin, and Mexican President Andres Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) is now publicly urging Speaker Pelosi to let Congress pass the trade deal, arguing that it will create a foundation for economic growth across the continent.
“There’s agreement, and I took the opportunity to send Mrs. Pelosi a letter explaining that it’s in the interest of the three peoples, the three nations, that this deal is approved,” AMLO explained.
Let’s come together. Wisconsin’s Congressional Democrats need to join with Republicans, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation and dozens of other trade groups from across the state and region to insist that Pelosi bring the USMCA to a vote. Wisconsin farmers and workers need our support.
Sen. Patrick Testin, R-Stevens Point, represents the 24th District in the Wisconsin Senate. Testin is the Senate majority caucus vice-chair.
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NEWS FROM THE CAPITOL AND AROUND WISCONSIN
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TAXES AS PERCENTAGE OF INCOME DOWN, PROPERTY TAX STILL LARGEST PORTION
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According to a
new report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum, residents in the Badger State are paying less of their overall income on taxes, but property taxes still make up the largest chunk.
"The most common way to compare Wisconsin to other states is to calculate taxes and spending here as a share of personal income received by state residents, which reflects their ability to pay for the costs of public services," the report said. "If personal income in Wisconsin grows more quickly than taxes, then what is known as the 'tax burden' will fall and potentially the state’s tax ranking as well."
The report showed that Wisconsinites paid about $4,900 in taxes per capita, with 3.5% of their incomes going to property taxes, and 2.8% of their incomes going to income taxes. The sales tax came in at 2% of personal income. Wisconsin remains one of the highest-taxed states in America for property, while remaining one of the lowest-taxed for sales.
The Wisconsin Policy Forum report also showed that the state ranked 24th in the nation, which took up 19.6% of personal income. The report posits the question; why the state's spending tank would be lower than its tax ranking. "One reason is federal aid makes up a relatively small share of the overall revenue for state and local governments in Wisconsin, with the state ranking among the bottom 10 for federal assistance in 2017 at 41st."
Spending on K-12 schools also accounted for 4.1% of personal income, matching the national average. Spending on Medicaid was 4.6% of income, while spending on highways and streets represented 2% of income.
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WISCONSIN UNEMPLOYMENT RISES FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE MONTH, LOSES 1,100 PRIVATE SECTOR JOBS
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Wisconsin's unemployment rate increased for the third consecutive month to 3.3% in October and lost 1,100 private sector jobs, according to seasonally adjusted data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Wisconsin's unemployment still falls below the national average of 3.6%.
While the increase in unemployment might not be a large increase, the Governor Tony Evers' administration spun the statistics in a very different light.
The headline in the press release issued by the state's Department of Workforce Development on Thursday told a much different story, using the headline: "BLS Data: Wisconsin Adds 17,200 Private-Sector, 16,500 Non-Farm Jobs Over Year," despite the state losing jobs from September to October.
Also according to the Department of Workforce Development, the state's labor force participation rate in October was 67,1 percent.
"Wisconsin has continued to add private-sector and non-farm jobs over the last year, despite global trade tensions negatively affecting two of Wisconsin's top industries, agriculture and manufacturing," Evers' appointee DWD Secretary Caleb Frostman said. "These vitally important economic sectors in Wisconsin are bearing the brunt of these trade negotiations, losing nearly 2 dairy farms per day, and 7,700 manufacturing jobs in the last year."
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EVERS HAS NOT RULED OUT CALLING SECOND 'SPECIAL SESSION' ON GUN CONTROL
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Governor Tony Evers said he has not ruled out calling a second special session on gun control in Wisconsin, but said he has no 'immediate plans' to do so.
The Governor was interviewed by TMJ4 news in Milwaukee, and said there is still a possibility he might call a second special session. Republicans followed the letter of the law earlier this month by gaveling-in the special session in empty legislative chambers, and immediately adjourning the session. It is likely the same thing would happen should a second session be called.
Evers also said, if he wanted to, he could call a special session a hundred times "just to punish [Republicans]" but a special session is still a possibility. Evers also said a majority of Wisconsinites approve of gun control measures, citing a Marquette University Law School poll taken earlier this year.
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FLORENCE COUNTY DECLARES ITSELF 'SECOND AMENDMENT SANCTUARY'
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The Florence County Board of Supervisors last week unanimously approved a resolution declaring itself a "Second Amendment sanctuary," which was designed to tell politicians to "keep your hands off our guns."
The resolution language says that the County Board "affirms its support of the Sheriff to exercise sound discretion to not enforce against any citizens an unconstitutional firearms law." The board's Chair told reporters that residents in Florence County take their Second Amendment rights very seriously.
The resolution also says that state legislation that would restrict possession or use of firearms, magazines, ammunition or body armor is an infringement on the Second Amendment rights of citizens.
The board Chairwoman, Jeanette Bomberg, also said the resolution was passed in response to Governor Evers and Democrat lawmakers' attempts to pass legislation in Madison.
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STATE REPORT CARDS: MOST WISCONSIN SCHOOLS 'MEET OR EXCEED' EXPECTATIONS
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The latest report cards from the State Department of Public Instruction, the agency charged with overseeing nearly all aspects of Wisconsin's schools, said the majority of schools in Wisconsin are meeting or exceeding the state's expectations.
But that news comes as last month's standardized test scores showed that only 60% of Wisconsin students are not able to read or perform math at grade level, despite having the largest dollar investment in state history while educating fewer children.
The report cards showed that the 17 of the 20 highest-performing public school districts last school year were in the Milwaukee suburbs and in counties surrounding Milwaukee. The 20 poorest-performing districts were either rural or larger urban school districts such as Racine and Milwaukee.
According to the report cards, only Mercer School District in iron County failed to meet the government's expectations.
According to the Department of Public Instruction, report card scores are given based on four criteria, including student scores on standardized tests, student growth and improvement, closing socioeconomic achievement gaps, and post-secondary readiness.
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KROGER TO BUILD FULFILLMENT CENTER IN PLEASANT PRAIRIE
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The third largest retailer in America, grocery chain owner The Kroger Company, announced last week that it will build a high-tech customer fulfillment center in Pleasant Prairie, bringing with it up to 400 new jobs.
The site would be a 350,000 square-foot automated facility, which would serve customers in Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana. The company has five other fulfillment centers or plans for new centers in Ohio, Florida, Georgia, Texas, and on the eastern seaboard.
Kroger, the parent company of Roundy's, owns and operates Pick 'n Save, Copps, Metro Market, and Mariano's stores in Wisconsin.
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By clicking the link, you acknowledge that 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, but does not take responsibility for the individual views and opinions expressed herein. It is the right of WPT to remove responses that what the organization deems to be vulgar, hateful, or inflammatory language.
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WEEKLY MEMBER POLL RESULTS
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After reading Representative Don Vruwink's column, what do you think of his plan that would freeze the school portion of property taxes when a retiree reaches a certain age?
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No thanks. Freezing the taxation for one population means the rest are forced to pay more. Rep. Vruwink suggests the elderly be the protected class because of poverty -- how about the younger impoverished? How about the disabled? Veterans? Police? Left-handed people? Gays? No thanks.
I feel this is unfair yo put more burden on the younger genatuon
I think it would be an admistrative night-mare. Does this mean the people younger would have to step in and make up the difference?
Schools are already hurting and that would raise everyone else's taxes
This sure would help us stay in our home. Taxes are getting so high.
elderly people have fixed incomes - this would help them alot
Yes, school taxes suck. So do uneducated people. Who do you think produces more tax revenue, an uneducated min wage job holder or someone able to work a professional vocation? School taxes benefit all, all should pay.
A little late to start helping out a retiree, Wisconsin overtaxes all of us all our lives! Maybe some of the younger people would stick around if they weren't taxed to death!
So you want to give a break to retirees...but as usual you are giving the same benefit to the people with 3 or 4 or 5 or million dollar homes? Bad idea, another program to abuse.... again.
Makes some sense, until a "new" baby boom comes along.
Every little bit helps but lets just fix the over the top profit based health care cost
would like io be at lease 66 or 67 for retirees
There are lots of Senior Citizens capable of paying their property taxes. Seniors benefit also when the children of a community get a good education. Who do they think will be helping them when they get old.
The property tax freeze is the only point in the whole article that I can agree with. We need LESS government interference in our lives and more personal responsibility. While health care costs will inevitably become higher as we get older there are many programs in place to help offset those costs (long term care insurance, ect.) Relying on the government to give you all the answers is the fools choice. Government has an atrocious track record when it comes to any program that is supposed to"benefit" the individual (Obamacare, welfare and food stamp programs, social security, Medicare and Medicaid just to name a few). "The nine most dangerous words in the English language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help." - Ronald Reagan
Let's keep seniors in their homes as long as possible. Should only apply to primary residence and be capped.
Most of us property owners have paid our and others fair share for many many years.
I think it's a great idea. If more of the school-cost burden were shared by those using the schools, they would quickly find a way for education to be less costly.
the younger generation seems to want everything for their children at the expense of the retired community
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Governor Evers sparked some outrage when on Friday he renamed the Capitol "Christmas Tree" the "Holiday Tree." What are your thoughts?
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This was a bad PR issue. Everyone should just back off, no one looks good here.
Its a Cnristmas tree and should sstay that way
This nation was build on Christen values. Now there are several faiths that add their believes and values. We do not question their item that represent them. The Christmas tree needs to remain.
You cannot change history.
Christmas will always be Christmas to me, Guess he doesn't like Christmas.
A Christmas tree is what it is. If he wants to call it otherwise - he should not make us do that too
You want a Christmas Tree?? Take it outside! Supporting ANY religion above another should not be tolerated
Ever's science theme for the "tree" is as ridiculous as his decision to stop calling it what it is. I can't wait until he is no longer the governor of our state.
It's been a Christmas tree for years and years. Change it now. I would like a trend of saying no to snowflakes.
Evers is a seriously out of touch nut bag. HE is offensive. I've been triggered!
This is just more of the “war on Christmas” nonsense. Not everyone is Christian. Why not be more inclusive? It’s a proper nod towards separation of church and state.
Evers will due anything to punish Christians.
Political correctness can be crazy. Christmas Trees have been around a long time. I'm ok with seeing other religious items during the holiday season also.
Liberal
All of the political correctness needs to be tossed out the window. "Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes." (Copied from the history channel) without Christ there is no Christmas. Just another about by the governor to remove any reference to the real meaning for the holiday.
PC bs
Political correctness is over the top, where's the common sense.
Should we call the Menorah in the Capitol a “holiday candle holder” from now on? I don’t think so. This is ridiculous.
If he wants to call it a holiday tree, fine, but then please specify what holiday the tree is celebrating. Is it the Thanksgiving tree? The black Friday tree? The Christmas tree? The New Year tree? The MLK tree? The Valentines tree? The St. Patties tree? The Easter tree? What holiday??????????
we celebrate Christmas with a Christmas tree....no more trying to silence Christians
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What do you think of the plan to raise the minimum wage for the State of Wisconsin and UW-Madison's hourly workers to $15/hour?
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Wisconsin's minimum wage should increase.
the state employees get alot of benifits now where private employees do not get
If it takes $15/hr to get the quality worker needed, but not just for the sake of paying someone $15/hr.
Wish I could get that $15/ hour raise.. sure would help .
People need to start at a wage that encourages them to do better and strive to earn more. Not just give it to them
Just so those hiring employees hire qualified individuals to fill the positions.
Raising that will not help getting quality employees. There are jobs starting at $20 an hour and they can't find help? Fix that first.
I wish everyone would get a 2% raise every year.
As usual the liberals who scream and cry about $15 minimum wage won't do it for their own employees.
I always find it nice that the politcans can give them selves a raise, of course using our money. They seem to forget who pays their salary, and do they ever ask if we want to give them a raise!!!
Why does the UW system have a different minimum wage than the rest of the state? Either raise it all or leave it alone but don’t pick and choose who deserves a raise and who doesn’t.
It has nothing to do with minimum wage just control, and 2% wage increase to University employees, lets pay on performance, not buying votes for re-election
Many hourly workers are college students, who are trying to pay their college bills, so the money goes right back into the economy. It is a good move.
Anyone that has wacthed them work know some are not worth half that
It's sure seems to be easy for the entire educational system to play fast and loose with their finances when we have a governor who has no problem spending taxpayers money. This is the same board of regents that cut professors while increasing administration. I say no!
labor market should drive wages, not government
We have to make the move to adjust sometime.
You mean they don't already earn $15/hr?
government should never dictate wages,they should be earned!
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Do you think Governors should turn over all of their e-mails when requested by the media under the Wisconsin Open Records laws?
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It really does depend. I'm 100% in favor of open government, but I think some requests are far too broad to waste taxpayer money on. So many of them are from one political group trying to screw with the other group.
He always hiding behind his actions
Same old thing from both parties. All politicians are afraid of the light of day, they feel they must always keep the other party and the population in the dark.
Open records means open records
If the Media is getting the emails,, no
The emails should be about the business of the state and should be turned over
The government is the business of the people.
Walker was always being targeted by the media for documents, Evers should be held to the same bar. Where is your transparency Evers?
That's why they are called "open records".
Of course! It's Open Records Laws for a reason!
They work for us and we should be able to review their work.
Accountability. Tough if any of them don't like it. Part of their duty and responsibility.
Hey whats good for Trump should be good for Mr Evers, open the books.
The inquiry must be Detailed and specific, otherwise its just a waste of time.
private conversations to other officials is no ones business passed legislation is what is important, MEDIA HAS TO MUCH POWER
If the person asking pays for the time spent putting everything together
Why doesn't the media set up residence in his office, stand and read everything over his shoulder. It sounds like this is what they wanted to do.
A simple forward on the computer and it is done
After Hillary this just seems to be standard operating procedure for the Democratic party.
There should be privcy in correspondence.
What could Ever's possibly have to hide He wants others to have transparency
The left in Wisconsin lost it when Walker wouldn’t turn over emails immediately. Now suddenly "parameters" matter and whether or not the requests are "too broad." Make up your mind.
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Saturday will mark the 123rd year since the establishment of the first rural delivery route in Wisconsin. The route was established at Sun Prairie. (Source: Wisconsin Historical Society)
Do you still use the United States Postal Service regularly, or has much of your communication become digitized? Do you still hand-write letters? Send Christmas Cards? Thank You cards? Or is this a lost "art" these days? Do you generally use the post office for mailing packages, or do you go with a private courier such as UPS or FedEx?
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The USPS is vital, and we use it every day to send mail and packages -- it is far cheaper than UPS and FedEx. Yes, we do send Xmas cards.
We still use US Mail a lot. Yes,we hand write letters and send Christmas cards and Thank You cards.We use the post office for mailing packages.We are old and as the saying goes"it'shard to teach an old dog new tricks".
Yes we use the postal service regularly to send and receive mail for our business. And we do send Christmas cards along with other types of mail. We do send packages with the USPS but also use FedEx and UPS.
I still use the post office and send Christmas cards. The Post office box rates are reasonable
I use the USPS to mail checks as of right now I have no other choice. The Verona post office is notorious for its poor service. Just today, I received some of my neighbor's mail. At work I have to deal with lost mail all the time. A box holder near my box is always getting my mail. We rely more and more on faxes and emails for incoming orders and invoices. I believe the post office is management top heavy.
Yes I do use the Postal service.. For Christmas cards, Thank you cards, my bills, keeping in contact with family that do not have Facebook, or emails. I also have UPS and FedEx coming.
I still use the mail - letters, checks, cards etc. I send packages via mail or UPS - I do email or just call people. The Post Office is still a vital part of rural life.
USPS for me! Snail mail is still nice to get.
Still use the USPS to send mail, Christmas cards, thank you's etc. Still mail packages, the one fee boxes are convenient and actually cost effect.
I do not use the post office regularly. Usually email or online. Do not ship much.
We use the post office every day. Still send out calendars and Christmas cards, along with thank you notes. Once in awhile we drop off a package at the UPS Store.
A postal service still has a place in the world, especially in rural America. However they are severely under managed and postal jobs have been downgraded to places for poor quality people who hide behind union bullies. Regional Private business would do the service better and serve rural communities better.
I use a mix of all the services. I do the USPS is getting better
I send materials via the post office every day.
I do use the Post Office, but will not send out Christmas cards(not Holiday cards) this year. As a business we have to cut cost some where.
I write thank yous and Christmas cards but I am of the older generation. We are a dying breed!
We use Speedee Delivery for sending packages with next day delivery in-state and it has cut our shipping costs by 30%. #businesstip I still mail holiday cards, thank you cards, birthday cards, some holiday gifts, and those silly Menards rebates (you’d think an app to just snap a photo of the receipt would be more efficient...).
ups
Use post office.
I use post office ups is a hassle to try an send anything,
Still use the USPS considerably
I still enjoy using the mail service along with many other methods of communication.
Still use it everyday and yes still send Christmas cards.
I use USPS pretty often. Things tend to arrive late or not at all. Yes I still send Christmas cards, but I’ve noticed many people have switched to e-cards.
Mostly digital communication from me. Sadly, but that's the way it is...
We use the mail service
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BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW OR VETOED
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Senate Bill 391 (Lake Delton TIF by Senator Olsen) Lengthening the time during which tax increments may be allocated and expenditures for project costs may be made and extending the maximum life for Tax Incremental Districts Number Three and Four in the village of Lake Delton.
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LRB-4863
Memo
Renaming Rotunda Tree (Krug, Scott) Renaming the decorated tree on display in the capitol rotunda during the Christmas holiday season as the Wisconsin State Christmas Tree.
Deadline: Friday, November 15
LRB-4488
Memo
Town Board Vacancies (Jacque, Andre) The way town board vacancies are filled; public notice requirements for governmental meetings; appointment and removal procedures for certain town officeholders; a process for an applicant to appeal a permit denial to the governing body of a city, village, or town; wages paid to an elected town officer who also serves as a town employee; and the term of appointed town assessors.
Deadline: Monday, November 18, 5 pm
LRB-4765
Memo
Election Inspectors (James, Jesse) Allowing a pupil enrolled in a home-based educational program to serve as an election inspector.
Deadline: Thursday, November 21
LRB-3504
Memo
Veterans Tax Credit (Shilling, Jennifer) Allowing renters to claim the veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit.
Deadline: Friday, November 22, 5 pm
LRB-2873
Memo
Leased Goods (Kulp, Bob) Repossession of collateral or leased goods.
Deadline: Friday, November 22, 5 pm
LRB-4319
Memo
County Board Voting (Bernier, Kathy) Requiring a supermajority county board vote to enact ordinances that affect only towns.
Deadline: Monday, November 25
LRB-4063
Memo
Office for Equity and Inclusion (Stubbs, Shelia) Creating the Council for Equity and Inclusion and the Office for Equity and Inclusion and making an appropriation.
Deadline: Tuesday, November 26
LRB-4649
Memo
Raffles (Kapenga, Chris) Licensure of local organizations to conduct raffles.
Deadline: Thursday, November 21, 4 pm
LRB-3218
Memo
Asbestos Training Accreditation (Steffen, David) Accreditation of training courses for asbestos supervisors.
Deadline: Wednesday, November 27
LRB-4683
Memo
Public Law Proposals (Crowley, David) Reserving to the people the power of initiative to propose and approve laws at an election (first consideration).
Deadline: Friday, November 29, 5 pm
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