On Tuesday, the Assembly passed a comprehensive bill to expand enterprise zones throughout the state of Wisconsin. I introduced Assembly Bill 53 (AB53), which has since been incorporated in to Assembly Bill 2. I gave my first floor speech on Tuesday to support this combination of bills. My bill AB53 added three traditional enterprise zones on top of the five rural zones being created in AB2.

The Enterprise Zone Program is one of the state’s most successful programs in job creation, job retention, employee training, and significant capital expenditures within the state of Wisconsin. Our existing enterprise zones have already helped create and retain thousands of jobs throughout the state. The first four designated zones involved a $135.6 credit allocation, but a Department of Commerce report showed the state was on track to recoup $164 million. These credits tend to generate significant sales and income tax revenues exceeding the initial costs, but these zones more importantly helped create or retain 7,400 jobs.

I used to work at the Uniroyal Tire Company plant in Eau Claire – and I had intended to stay there until my retirement. However, the plant closed its doors in 1991. Uniroyal employed 1,375 people, and the incentives of an enterprise zone could have helped me and my fellow coworkers keep our jobs and standard of living. I hope this legislation will have such an impact going forward, as Enterprise Zones have in the past.

On Thursday, I joined with my fellow representatives serving areas near the Wisconsin/Minnesota border in writing a letter to Governor Scott Walker. My colleagues – both Democrat and Republican – and I advocated for an income tax reciprocity agreement. As constituents from all of our districts struggled with the complications associated with filing in Wisconsin and Minnesota, we noted the detriment to both businesses and individuals of not having any agreement. This is an important issue to Wisconsin residents commuting to Minnesota, and one I will continue to monitor and follow up with our governor.

On Wednesday, Governor Walker announced that he is seeking applicants for two student representatives on the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents. One position is for a student representative over the age of 18 to serve a two-year term. The second is for an undergraduate student representative at least 24 years old. This second representative would represent the views of non-traditional students, such as those who are employed or who are parents; this representative will serve for one year.

To apply, students must be in good standing, be Wisconsin residents, be in school for their entire term, and be enrolled at least half-time. Unfortunately, since UW-Eau Claire and UW-Milwaukee have only recently gained representation on the Board, no applications will be accepted from these institutions. However, I encourage students from the 67th district attending all other System schools to apply.

If you are interested in applying for the position, please submit the following: