Proposals support small business, forest property owners
Madison — Two bills authored by State Senator Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) received public hearings by committees in the State Senate today.
Senate Bill 293 would create a grant program to help startup businesses hire university and technical college students studying business, engineering, information technology, or a similar field, as paid interns. Interns will work directly with entrepreneurial businesses and gain hands-on experience in research marketing, business plan development, or other functions related to the creation and growth of a new business. The bill received a hearing today in the Senate Committee on Economic Development, of which Sen. Lassa is the ranking member.
“One of the principal barriers to success for new startups is access to basic business skills,” Lassa said. “Most entrepreneurs who start small businesses do so because they have an idea for a product or service that they are knowledgeable and passionate about, but they often lack the kinds of support skills that are vital to startups. This program will link student interns with entrepreneurs who can use their skills and give them valuable work experiences to round out their education. It’s a creative way to nurture the small businesses which are most responsible for Wisconsin’s job growth.”
Senate Bill 126 would allow landowners in the Managed Forest Law (MFL) program to apply to the DNR for an extension of an MFL order by an additional 10 years if their land was affected by a catastrophe such as fire, insects, disease, ice, snow, wind or flooding. Senator Lassa introduced the bill on behalf of a constituent who lost 180 acres of timber in the Cottonville Fire that swept through northern Adams County 2005.
“When her MFL contract expired, her property tax bill quadrupled, and she didn’t have a forest crop to help defray the cost, causing her to have to sell off land and remortgage her home,” Lassa said. “This legislation will help managed forest land owners who have been affected by a catastrophic event get back on track. It will provide them with some leeway to begin growing new product while continuing to pay their current MFL order rate of taxation.”
According to the DNR, MFL is a landowner incentive program that encourages sustainable forestry on private woodlands in Wisconsin. Together with landowner objectives, the law incorporates timber harvesting, wildlife management, water quality and recreation to maintain a healthy and productive forest.
SB 126 had its public hearing today in the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Higher Education.