Constitutional Officer Day held at the Capitol

My colleagues in the Legislature and I recently had the privilege of meeting with our Constitutional Officers from counties around the state for Constitutional Officer Day at the Capitol.  Like my colleagues and me, the Constitutional Officers are elected to serve and represent each county around Wisconsin.  Their daily tasks ensure that our county government entities operate efficiently and in cooperation with the federal and state government as well as local municipalities.  Their duties include, but are not limited to the  administration of our elections; the production of property tax bills and collection of tax payments; the recording of real estate documents and providing copies of vital records; and the scheduling and management of our circuit court systems. 

I look forward to continuing to work with our representatives of Racine County and Kenosha County on issues of mutual concern.  

Rep. Kerkman and Rep. Vos recently met with Racine County Constitutional Officers.  Pictured from left to right are Rep. Robin Vos, Racine County Clerk Wendy Christensen, Racine County Treasurer Elizabeth (Betty) Majeski, Racine County Register of Deeds Jim Ladwig, and Rep. Samantha Kerkman.

 With One Month Remaining, New Tax Credits for Businesses under Consideration

As the 2009-2010 Legislative Session enters its final month, the Assembly leadership is finally considering job creation legislation that I hope will reach the floor by the time we adjourn until next year.  Among the proposals most recently introduced is Assembly Bill 853, which would provide tax benefits to small businesses that hire new employees.

Introduced by Rep. Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) and passed by the Assembly Committee on Jobs, the Economy and Small Business by a vote of 12-1, AB 853 is currently under consideration by the Joint Committee on Finance.  Should this bill ultimately become law, an eligible business that employs no more than ten employees during the year may retain a tax benefit that is equal to the increase in the business's payroll attributable to new employees with full-time jobs.  Businesses would receive the benefit in lieu of submitting the amount as withholding taxes.  The goal of this legislation is to initiate the growth of start-up businesses and encourage existing small businesses with fewer than ten workers to hire new employees.

The small business community is, without a doubt, the engine of our economy and must be given every incentive possible to create jobs and move unemployed workers who were affected by the economy back onto payrolls.  With the end of the current legislative session fast approaching, it is my hope that the Legislature presents Governor Doyle with job creation legislation to sign into law before we adjourn.  We simply cannot delay job creation any longer. 

Rep. Kerkman, Rep. Steinbrink, and Sen. Wirch recently met with Kenosha County Constitutional Officers.  Pictured from left to right are former Kenosha County Treasurer Frieda Jacobson, Rep. Samantha Kerkman, Rep. John Steinbrink, Kenosha County Clerk Mary Schuch-Krebs, Sen. Bob Wirch, Registrar of Deeds Louise Principe, and current Kenosha County Treasurer Teri Jacobson.

Happy Easter!

Since this will be the last issue of Capitol Insight for the month of March and since my office will be closed on Good Friday, I would like to wish you and your families a very happy and blessed Easter.  I know I am looking forward to spending this special day with my family, and my two boys can't wait for the Easter Bunny to visit our house!  Enjoy your holiday weekend and all the best for a happy spring season.