Prepared and Distributed by The Midwest Hardware Association, Inc.
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We have some exciting news to share with you today! We are thrilled to announce that a new and improved MHA website is on its way. We have been working tirelessly to create a website that is more user-friendly, modern, and efficient, so you can have the best experience possible.
Our new website will have a fresh look and feel, with updated graphics and an easy-to-navigate layout. We've also added new features and improved existing ones, making it easier for you to find the information you need, and get involved with our community.
We can't wait for you to see the new website and experience all the improvements for yourself. Stay tuned for more updates on our launch date, and thank you for being a part of MHA.
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Governor Pritzker Signs Paid Leave for All Workers Act
By Alec Laird, MHA Illinois Lobbyist and Vice President, Government Relations for the Illinois Retail Merchants Association
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On Monday, March 13, Governor Pritzker signed the Paid Leave for All Workers Act into law as P.A. 102-1143. The Paid Leave for All Workers Act requires an employer to provide 5 days of paid leave to an employee. Below is a detailed outline of what is exactly required on the effective date of January 1, 2024.
Employee
P.A. 102-1143:
- Excludes railroad employees and universities and higher education employees;
- Includes both part-time and full time employees.
- Does NOT include independent workers.
- Requires the employee to be paid a wage equal to their highest hourly wage and requires tipped employees to be paid the maximum minimum wage in their jurisdiction.
Employer
P.A. 102-1143:
- Applies to all employers regardless of size.
Paid Leave
P.A. 102-1143:
- Allows for up to 40 hours (5 days) of paid leave.
- The paid leave may be used for any reason.
- Allows for the use of accrued time, or if front-loaded, front-loaded time after 90 days of employment.
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Fiscal Bureau Issues Budget Summary; Finance Committee Schedules Agency and Public Hearings
By Misha Lee, MHA Wisconsin Lobbyist
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The nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) recently released its plain language summary (listed by state agency) of Democrat Governor Tony Evers’ executive budget proposal for the 2023-25 biennium. The Fiscal Bureau document explains in plain narrative terms along with simple financial tables, how state agencies, programs, and policies currently work and how the governor’s proposed budget plan would impact them. State lawmakers have historically relied considerably on this document and will typically wait to begin rewriting the governor’s state budget until it is released.
Budget Committee Announces Public Hearings and Public Comment Process
The legislature’s 16-member Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) is responsible for overseeing and doing the bulk of the work for the budget process in the Wisconsin legislature. The JFC has invited four cabinet secretaries from the Evers Administration to testify and answer questions from the committee about their specific agency’s budget initiatives:
- March 28 - Secretary Craig Thompson (Department of Transportation) and Secretary Kevin Carr (Department of Corrections)
- March 30 - Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld (Department of Administration) and Secretary Dan Hereth (Department of Safety and Professional Services)
The JFC will also hold a series of four (4) public hearings in April where members of the public will have the opportunity to comment on the state budget:
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Remember to Vote on Tuesday, April 4
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The Wisconsin Supreme Court election is fast approaching and is being held on Tuesday, April 4.
Why your vote matters
The April 4th election will decide the ideological balance of the state Supreme Court. Daniel Kelly, a conservative supported by Republicans, and Janet Protasiewicz, a liberal supported by Democrats, are vying to win a 10-year term to the bench. Conservative justices currently hold a 4-3 majority on the court. The outcome of this election will either keep that majority or shift it to the liberals. Four years ago, 6,000 votes decided a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat, while three in four eligible voters stayed home. This election could be just as close. Wisconsin MHA members are encouraged to cast their votes in this critically important statewide court election.
All registered voters in Wisconsin can request an absentee ballot be mailed to them for any reason and an absentee ballot request must be received by your local municipal clerk no later than 5:00 pm on March 30, 2023. You must provide a photo ID with your absentee ballot request. To request an absentee ballot, click here. If you are not already registered to vote, you must register in-person at your local municipal clerk’s office because the by-mail and online voter registration window is now closed.
If you plan to vote in-person on election day, polling locations will be open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. Click here to find your polling location or visit the Wisconsin Elections Commission website for more information.
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If you'd like to place an ad, please contact Sam Schmidt at
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Sales Trends November 2022
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Here are the most recent Illinois, Minnesota-Dakotas, and Wisconsin hardware store sales trends, gathered from association members using the MHA's monthly accounting services. The figures derived for each region include sales data from the following number of stores:
Illinois - 11 stores
Minn.-Dakotas - 10 stores
Wisconsin - 45 stores
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MHA is the recognized leader in providing accounting to independent hardware stores of all sizes and of all wholesaler affiliations. We provide accurate, timely, complete monthly financial statements and, because we do accounting for hundreds of hardware stores across the country, we offer something that other accounting firms can't.
With MHA monthly accounting service you receive:
- Monthly Profit & Loss Statement, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow
- Accountant's Interpretation and Analysis Letter
- Complete reconciliation of all bank accounts, outstanding credit card transactions, merchandise payables, and other balance sheet items
- Preparation of sales tax, payroll tax, and other federal, state, and local tax reports
- Nationwide, toll-free telephone access to keep you in touch with the MHA staff
- Outstanding, professional service at reasonable prices
Our trained staff stays up to date on the latest tax developments and works closely with you to prepare and file returns that are accurate, complete, and on time.
Testimonial
“Because they work with other hardware stores around the nation, MHA gives us great insight on what to do when it comes to my accounting and finances. They are the best financial counselors to have for running a hardware store.”
David Tennies, Manager
Tennies Hardware
West Bend, WI
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