Representative Ripp E-update

Legislature Focuses On “Getting Wisconsin Back To Work”

Thursday, January 20^th, 2011 the Wisconsin legislature convened for the 100^th time in state history. The legislature took the first steps toward restoring jobs and getting our state’s economy back on track by voting to close loopholes which have either kept businesses out of Wisconsin or sent them packing for years. Running a business large or small, the climate is paramount. The recession has taken its toll and Wisconsin is sending a strong message to businesses that our climate is changing for the better.

During this floor session the Legislature began piecing together the puzzle that will drive our economy. On a 57-36 vote the Assembly passed Special Session Senate Bill 1, commonly called “Tort Reform.” Wisconsin cannot sue its way to prosperity and this bill reverses several court decisions that previously made Wisconsin one of the worst states in the nation to do business. There are 40 other states already adhering to standards that are implemented in this bill. SS-SB 1 passed the Senate 19-14 and now goes to Governor Walker for his signature.

Special Session Senate Bill 2 will make health saving accounts (HSA’s) more affordable by creating a nonrefundable individual income tax deduction of 6.5 percent which can be deducted or exempted from federal income taxes. This brings Wisconsin inline with Federal standards and sends a clear message to employers that they can provide their workers with health care that is high in quality and low in cost. Special Session Senate Bill 2 passed both the Senate and Assembly with bi-partisan support.

The Assembly also passed Special Session Assembly Bill 3 and 4, which are designed to draw businesses from other states and around the globe to Wisconsin. SS-AB 3 offers a two-year income and franchise tax credit or deduction to businesses relocating to Wisconsin. Our state needs to grow its economy and bringing business in from other areas is one way to do it. SS-AB 4 allocates an additional $25 million in funding to the already successful Economic Development Tax Credit program. Sufficient funding of this program ensures confidence that businesses which modernize and expand will receive such credit. These tax credits are available not only for job creation, but also for capital investment, and employee training.

Faced with close to double digit unemployment, Wisconsin must work to create the climate that encourages job creation. It is important to remember these bills by themselves will not bring Wisconsin’s economy back from the brink, but together with the rest of the jobs agenda, will lead to creating an environment where the job creators can do what they do best, put Wisconsin back to work. There is still much work to be done, but I believe effective changes such as the ones that the legislature passed this last week can put us on track to economic recovery.

Rep. Ripp Bill Receives Public Hearing

On Wednesday, I testified before the Assembly Committee on Agriculture and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Higher Education on Assembly Bill 5. AB 5, which I authored, extends the dairy manufacturing and livestock modernization tax credit from January 1, 2012 to January 1, 2017. This legislation simply extends current law in which a taxpayer can claim 10% of modernization costs up $75,000 per claimant. I also led the charge to extend similar investment credits to Dairy Cooperatives last session.

Staff Changes

In an earlier e-update I had announced that Becky Kikkert will be joining my office. Unfortunately for our office she has decided to join the Governors staff as a policy advisor. I wish Becky the best of luck in her new position. With Becky’s departure, I have hired Colette Shepherd-Bussan. Her previous experience in an administrative setting should effectively lend itself to quickly and concisely responding to constituent needs. Her primary responsibility will be constituent services and outreach. I believe her experience in the private sector will serve our district well in her transition to the public sector.

Carbon Monoxide Law Takes Effect

Wisconsin has a new law taking effect February 1^st. Every single and two-family home equipped with any kind of fuel-burning appliance or heater will require a carbon monoxide detector installed on every floor. Fuel-burning appliances include: gas furnaces, dryers, and water heaters, wood-burning stoves and fireplaces.

The law is slightly stricter for new homes. New construction must have hard-wired (direct wired with a battery backup) interconnected alarms. The alarms must be linked so that if one sounds off, the remaining detectors do also.

Existing homes can have battery-operated detectors that are independent from one another. In both new construction and existing homes, alarms must be installed on every floor level except that attic. With a minimum cost of about $30 per detector, the average cost of this regulation for existing residences will be $60 to $90. I know that this initial expense for some may be a hardship, but it is an important preventative measure to take for the safety of your family.

Hardware stores typically stock up on carbon monoxide detectors as the cold weather season is upon us, houses are typically buttoned up, and the issue of carbon monoxide poisoning is foremost in people’s minds. Smoke detectors generally last for 10 years, but carbon monoxide detectors usually have a life span of seven years or less. For this reason I would recommend staying away from combination smoke – carbon monoxide alarms.

As in the past I would continue to encourage you to contact my office with ideas for this next legislative session and on individual pieces of legislation. Now more than ever your ideas and opinions need to be heard, so we can begin to get Wisconsin back to work. As before I will continue to work across the aisle to find common ground and move legislation forward. Please do not hesitate to contact my office at (608) 266-3404, or Rep.Ripp@legis.wisconsin.gov.

I extend my wishes to you and your family to enjoy good health and prosperity for the 2011 New Year.

Please share this update with your friends and neighbors within the 47th Assembly District and if there is anybody you know who would like to be included please respond to this email with their email address.

I want to remind everyone that my door is always open and you can always visit me at my Madison office in the Capitol (3 North). Please do not hesitate to contact me with any issues you maybe facing. You can call my office at 608-266-3404 or email me at Rep.Ripp@legis.wisconsin.gov. I look forward to hearing from you.

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Legislature Focuses On “Getting Wisconsin Back To Work”

Rep. Ripp Bill Receives Public Hearing

Staff Changes


E-Update - January 21, 2011

Helpful Wisconsin Links Unsubscribe If you would like to unsubscribe from Representative Ripp's E-Update, please click here.	Legislature Focuses On “Getting Wisconsin Back To Work” Thursday, January 20^th, 2011 the Wisconsin legislature convened for the 100^th time in state history. The legislature took the first steps toward restoring jobs and getting our state’s economy back on track by voting to close loopholes which have either kept businesses out of Wisconsin or sent them packing for years. Running a business large or small, the climate is paramount. The recession has taken its toll and Wisconsin is sending a strong message to businesses that our climate is changing for the better. During this floor session the Legislature began piecing together the puzzle that will drive our economy. On a 57-36 vote the Assembly passed Special Session Senate Bill 1, commonly called “Tort Reform.” Wisconsin cannot sue its way to prosperity and this bill reverses several court decisions that previously made Wisconsin one of the worst states in the nation to do business. There are 40 other states already adhering to standards that are implemented in this bill. SS-SB 1 passed the Senate 19-14 and now goes to Governor Walker for his signature. Special Session Senate Bill 2 will make health saving accounts (HSA’s) more affordable by creating a nonrefundable individual income tax deduction of 6.5 percent which can be deducted or exempted from federal income taxes. This brings Wisconsin inline with Federal standards and sends a clear message to employers that they can provide their workers with health care that is high in quality and low in cost. Special Session Senate Bill 2 passed both the Senate and Assembly with bi-partisan support. The Assembly also passed Special Session Assembly Bill 3 and 4, which are designed to draw businesses from other states and around the globe to Wisconsin. SS-AB 3 offers a two-year income and franchise tax credit or deduction to businesses relocating to Wisconsin. Our state needs to grow its economy and bringing business in from other areas is one way to do it. SS-AB 4 allocates an additional $25 million in funding to the already successful Economic Development Tax Credit program. Sufficient funding of this program ensures confidence that businesses which modernize and expand will receive such credit. These tax credits are available not only for job creation, but also for capital investment, and employee training. Faced with close to double digit unemployment, Wisconsin must work to create the climate that encourages job creation. It is important to remember these bills by themselves will not bring Wisconsin’s economy back from the brink, but together with the rest of the jobs agenda, will lead to creating an environment where the job creators can do what they do best, put Wisconsin back to work. There is still much work to be done, but I believe effective changes such as the ones that the legislature passed this last week can put us on track to economic recovery. Rep. Ripp Bill Receives Public Hearing On Wednesday, I testified before the Assembly Committee on Agriculture and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Higher Education on Assembly Bill 5. AB 5, which I authored, extends the dairy manufacturing and livestock modernization tax credit from January 1, 2012 to January 1, 2017. This legislation simply extends current law in which a taxpayer can claim 10% of modernization costs up $75,000 per claimant. I also led the charge to extend similar investment credits to Dairy Cooperatives last session. Staff Changes In an earlier e-update I had announced that Becky Kikkert will be joining my office. Unfortunately for our office she has decided to join the Governors staff as a policy advisor. I wish Becky the best of luck in her new position. With Becky’s departure, I have hired Colette Shepherd-Bussan. Her previous experience in an administrative setting should effectively lend itself to quickly and concisely responding to constituent needs. Her primary responsibility will be constituent services and outreach. I believe her experience in the private sector will serve our district well in her transition to the public sector. Carbon Monoxide Law Takes Effect Wisconsin has a new law taking effect February 1^st. Every single and two-family home equipped with any kind of fuel-burning appliance or heater will require a carbon monoxide detector installed on every floor. Fuel-burning appliances include: gas furnaces, dryers, and water heaters, wood-burning stoves and fireplaces. The law is slightly stricter for new homes. New construction must have hard-wired (direct wired with a battery backup) interconnected alarms. The alarms must be linked so that if one sounds off, the remaining detectors do also. Existing homes can have battery-operated detectors that are independent from one another. In both new construction and existing homes, alarms must be installed on every floor level except that attic. With a minimum cost of about $30 per detector, the average cost of this regulation for existing residences will be $60 to $90. I know that this initial expense for some may be a hardship, but it is an important preventative measure to take for the safety of your family. Hardware stores typically stock up on carbon monoxide detectors as the cold weather season is upon us, houses are typically buttoned up, and the issue of carbon monoxide poisoning is foremost in people’s minds. Smoke detectors generally last for 10 years, but carbon monoxide detectors usually have a life span of seven years or less. For this reason I would recommend staying away from combination smoke – carbon monoxide alarms. As in the past I would continue to encourage you to contact my office with ideas for this next legislative session and on individual pieces of legislation. Now more than ever your ideas and opinions need to be heard, so we can begin to get Wisconsin back to work. As before I will continue to work across the aisle to find common ground and move legislation forward. Please do not hesitate to contact my office at (608) 266-3404, or Rep.Ripp@legis.wisconsin.gov. I extend my wishes to you and your family to enjoy good health and prosperity for the 2011 New Year. Please share this update with your friends and neighbors within the 47th Assembly District and if there is anybody you know who would like to be included please respond to this email with their email address. I want to remind everyone that my door is always open and you can always visit me at my Madison office in the Capitol (3 North). Please do not hesitate to contact me with any issues you maybe facing. You can call my office at 608-266-3404 or email me at Rep.Ripp@legis.wisconsin.gov. I look forward to hearing from you.