Ideas

Should a regional sales tax be used to help finance a new arena to replace the Bradley Center in Milwaukee?

That the state is an investor, equal to other investors, needs to be a fundamental principle in any venture capital bill going forward in Wisconsin.

Milwaukee-based ManpowerGroup reported fourth quarter net earnings of $53.3 million, or 68 cents per share, down from $63.6 million, or 78 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.

Greenville, Wis.-based School Specialty Inc. announced it has received written notification from the staff of The Nasdaq Stock Market, notifying the company that its common stock traded under the symbol SCHS will be suspended from trading on the Nasdaq.

David Kane has been named the new president of Milwaukee-based Badger Mutual Insurance Company.

Milwaukee-based Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. announced that Jon Langenfeld has been promoted to head of global equities with overall responsibility for Baird’s equity research, sales and trading operations.

First Business Financial Services Inc. the Madison-based parent company of First Business Bank and First Business Bank -Milwaukee, reported strong fourth quarter and record full year earnings, reflecting successful execution on initiatives to grow loans and in-market deposits, invest in fee-generating capabilities and improve asset quality.

The U.S. economy shrank in the fourth quarter for the first time since 2009, hurt by the largest cut in defense spending in 40 years, fewer exports and sluggish growth in company stockpiles.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Chancellor Mike Lovell has cooked up a recipe that will transform the “innovation ecosystem” and economy of southeastern Wisconsin, according to John Torinus.

I received a phone call last week from a guy I would refer to as a highly talented, committed, hard-working young professional. A top 10-percenter or probably more like 5. This is the “guy” HR professionals all over the greater Milwaukee area are trying to recruit.