This month, Chief Executive, a business-related publication, released its thirteenth annual survey of state business climates.  For the first time since the "Best and Worst States for Business" survey was inaugurated, Wisconsin ranked in the top ten for its business climate.  In this survey, chief executive officers from around the country rank each state according to its business-friendly climate.  As you can discern from the following chart, Wisconsin, under the auspices of Jim Doyle, was ranked forty-first in the nation for business-friendliness.  Today, thanks to the pro-business reforms enacted by Governor Walker and the legislature, Wisconsin ascended to the top ten in his venerable survey. 

In its profile of the "Badger State," Chief Executive, wrote, "The number of graduates in STEM fields within the University of Wisconsin System has been steadily growing since 2009.  A total of 7,325 undergraduate and 1,620 graduate degrees in STEM fields were conferred by the University of Wisconsin System in 2015, compared to 5,153 undergraduate and 1,241 graduate degrees in 2009."

According to Larry Giegrich, executive managing partner of Ginovus, an Indiana-based economic development agency, "The top-ranking states have continued to implement public policy supporting economic development to ensure that they remain leaders."  Conversely, the bottom-dwelling states, as Chief Executive refers to them, have consistently higher tax burdens and onerous regulatory environments, making them averse to business growth.

I concur with Chief Executive's analysis; Wisconsin is open for business and Governor Walker's reforms have generated unprecedented economic growth.  Wisconsin's unemployment rate stands at 3.9 percent, the lowest in thirteen years; rainy day fund is one-hundred-sixty-five times larger than it was during the Doyle administration; and property tax rates are at their lowest since World War II.  Since December 2010, the cumulative property tax reduction is $426 for a median-value home.  During the McCallum and Doyle administrations, property taxes increased by twenty-seven percent.  What is more, property taxes as a percentage of gross domestic product are the lowest they have been since the conclusion of World War II.  Overall, Governor Walker and legislative Republicans have cut taxes by $4.7 billion since 2011.

Joint Finance Committee approves budget motions

This week, two budget motions that I authored, one relating to rental weatherization requirements and the other, 911 funding, were approved by the Joint Finance Committee.  The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), oversees the rental weatherization program, which requires rental properties to meet specific energy efficiency standards prior to their sale.  DSPS asked that the program be removed from the 2017-2019 biennial budget, and Governor Walker honored that request.  The weatherization program, adopted in 1979 and amended in 1999, is largely considered outdated because of the prevalence of property inspections, increased energy efficiency standards, and the fact that most rental properties have been certified.  I commend the Joint Finance Committee for adhering to DSPS' request to abolish the Wisconsin Rental Unit Energy Efficiency Program.

For the past several months, I have been working with the Wisconsin Counties Association, League of Wisconsin Municipalities, Wisconsin Towns Association, and Representative Mary Felzkowski (R-Irma), on modernizing Wisconsin's 911 emergency system.  Thanks to the diligent work by these groups and Representative Felzkowski, the Joint Finance Committee included funding in the biennial budget for Next Generation 911 funding. In so doing, the committee took the initial steps in creating and maintaining a sustainable, reliable 911 emergency system capable of serving every Wisconsinite.

For too long, Wisconsinites have paid a police and fire protection tax that failed to be utilized to maintain our emergency services.  Due to these inequities, Wisconsin's emergency services have not been modernized to the same degree as other technologies. The budget motion I authored with Representative Felzkowski, enhances our 911 services and allows residents to respond via phone call, text message, and video conferencing, during an emergency. 

The Joint Committee on Finance approved the following:

• The creation of a Director of Emergency Communication Director

• Creation of a 911 Subcommittee directed to implement Next Generation 911

• Funding to implement and install Next Generation 911 enhancements and equipment.

Wisconsinites need twenty-first century technology to ensure safety in emergencies; Next Generation 911 accomplishes this goal. 

Spring Survey

If you have yet to do so, I would encourage you to fill out my spring survey.  This survey allows me to better ascertain which issues, especially as it relates to the biennial budget, are of greatest importance to you. If you did not receive a paper copy of my survey, you can take the survey online.

Also, I want to thank the constituents who took time out their busy schedules to attend my listening sessions in Cedarburg and Port Washington, last month.  I very much enjoyed meeting you and hearing your thoughts about how we can make Wisconsin an even better state to live, work, play, and raise a family.  Feel free to contact my office with questions, comments, concerns, or agency assistance, at any time; I work for you.

Conversing with constituents at a listening session

Senator Duey Stroebel and I listening to your concerns at a Port Washington listening session.

Have a great week,

Stay up to date

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