Petersen's E-Press

100 Days of Laying the Groundwork

The past 100 days have seen a flurry of activity in the capitol. Many bills have been passed by the legislature, but they represent only the beginning of what is needed to provide increased job opportunities for Wisconsinites.

Reforming litigation, economic development tax credits, eliminating taxes on HSA’s, tax incentives for small businesses, the creation of new enterprise zones. That is just a short list of legislation passed to start our session, all aimed at making Wisconsin business friendly.

For example, Stoughton Trailers re-opened their Evansville plant creating 478 new jobs. Their success story is a prime example of what happens when a state creates an environment conducive to job creation.

Catalyst Exhibits is another example of new job growth for the state. Using a Department of Commerce loan combined with a tax credit for businesses relocating in Wisconsin, the company moved from Illinois to Pleasant Prairie. In total, the project will create 105 jobs and represents an investment of $2.5 million.

WBAY Channel 2 in Green Bay reported: “According to the Job Center of Wisconsin, new openings are popping up across the region. In just the last 15 days nearly 1,000 private sector jobs have been posted in Brown County. Add that to more than 1,300 new postings in Outagamie, Winnebago and Fond du Lac counties.”

According to the Department of Workforce Development Secretary Manny Perez, “Wisconsin added more than 10,100 private sector jobs in January and added 4,300 manufacturing jobs in February.” In March the state experienced solid job growth. Preliminary numbers showed 9,800 more jobs in the private sector, including 2,800 in manufacturing.

Although these figures are promising, our work is far from over. Wisconsin needs to continue creating an environment that promotes job growth, which encourages entrepreneurs to look at our state as a viable place to set up shop.

We have to look at every mandate, regulation, and tax to see if they inhibit job growth. Additionally, we must continue to streamline government and eliminate fraud – such as that discovered in the Wisconsin Shares Program.

Although we’ve passed monumental legislation in our current session’s first 100 days, it doesn’t erase years of short -sighted, job killing policies from previous administrations and legislatures. In order to restore our state’s economy, it is paramount that Wisconsin is open for business.
 

Advocates for Family Values

Jackie Kislewski, Representative Kevin Petersen, and Howard Kislewski

Recently, Howard and Jackie Kislewski of New London visited the capitol to discuss family values and issues. Call my office to schedule your own capitol visit.

 
Respectfully,


Kevin Petersen
State Representative
40th Assembly District

 
If you know anyone who would enjoy receiving updates on state issues, please have them contact me at Rep.Petersen@legis.wisconsin.gov. to subscribe. If at any time you want to be removed from this list, simply send me an email asking to unsubscribe.