Do you share my deep concern that Wisconsin’s business climate is in desperate need of dramatic improvement?
Republicans in the state Legislature have formed the Wisconsin Jobs Now Task Force that is touring the state holding listening sessions soliciting input from the business community. I invite you and your members to attend the next meeting of the task force scheduled Monday, March 23, 2009, in the Milwaukee area to discuss your concerns about Wisconsin business policies and suggestions to strengthen our business climate.
Your input will be incorporated into a report of recommendations to the Legislature to create jobs and truly stimulate our economy. The task force was developed by legislative Republicans after the Wisconsin budget adjustment bill was approved and signed into law in a span of 48 hours without adequate scrutiny from the public or news media. The bill made significant changes to the state’s business tax structure with the enactment of combined reporting, a streamlined sales tax, a sales tax on business software and several other tax increases. Other business proposals in the Legislature include a minimum wage increase and changes in the wage lien law that were approved by Democrats controlling the state Senate and are currently in the State Assembly.
A very successful and productive task force meeting was conducted Tuesday, March 10, in Howard, Wisconsin near Green Bay. Mr. Cap Wulf of the Wulf Brothers heating and cooling company in Sturgeon Bay made an excellent statement summarizing the general business consensus: "We in the business community who make it possible for government to exist need to come together and unite. People in power now represent government, unions and trial lawyers. I don’t know where business falls in their thinking. I feel more like an indentured servant."
I strongly encourage you to share your much-needed expertise at the next task force meeting: Monday, March 23, at BioResearch Inc., 9275 N. 49th St., Suite 150, Brown Deer, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Please RSVP your attendance to me at (608) 266-5400. If you wish to testify and are unable to attend, please send your testimony to me at Sen.Lazich@legis.wisconsin.gov, and I will make sure it is included with live testimony.
I also invite you to read my ongoing business entries on the BizTimes Biz Blog at www.biztimes.com/blogs/milwaukee-biz-blog/authors/senator-mary-lazich.
State Sen. Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) represents Wisconsin’s 28th District.
