April 13th, 2010

 

Taylor Reports Senate Approval of 4 Milwaukee Initiatives

Initiative brings 3100 plus jobs; abandoned funds returned to city pension fund

(MADISON) The Senate gave final passage to major Milwaukee legislation today to bring more jobs in Milwaukee, spur academic research, crackdown on parking scofflaws, and make changes to the City of Milwaukee retirement system.

“Milwaukee won big today on some important legislation. Senate Bill 514 enumerates 3 major projects in the UW‐Milwaukee Initiative which is a huge investment in our research university,” Taylor noted. “The construction of the Freshwater Sciences Initiative Research Building, the Kenwood Integrated Research Complex, and the Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital Campus acquisition and redevelopment, will create or sustain over 3100 jobs that are needed in Milwaukee. This bill invests $145 million in construction in our local economy.”

The UW‐Milwaukee Initiative ( SB 514 ) enumerates three major projects for the university – The Freshwater Sciences Initiative Research building, the Kenwood Integrated Research Complex, and the acquisition and redevelopment of the Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital Campus. The project is expected to create or sustain over 3100 jobs according to formulas used by the Associated General Contractors of America. That number includes 1,087 on‐site construction jobs, 507 direct and indirect jobs associated with construction supply, and 1.595 jobs created by contractors, suppliers, and service providers purchasing other goods and services.

In addition, the Senate acted on other legislation affecting the City of Milwaukee.

SB 297 , the “Booting” bill, which cracks down on parking scofflaws in the City of Milwaukee. Upon enactment the city will be able to place movement restricting boots on cars that have numerous outstanding parking violations and fines.

SB 477 which allows abandoned employee retirement accounts in the city pension system to be rolled back into the pension fund. Currently, such accounts are escheated to the state rather than the city.

SB 423 changes the requirements of membership for the library board for the Milwaukee Public Library. The bill also changes the quorum requirements for the board due to the reconfiguration.

All four bills were messaged to the Assembly for its consideration.