TUE PM Update: Walker says GOP has budget deal ‘in principle’ but GOP leaders, JFC co-chairs say negotiations ongoing

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Republicans today continued to detail a possible budget deal, including about $160 million in bonding for roads on top of what’s in the Foxconn bill and a new fee on hybrid and electric cars. But even as the guv said there was a deal “in principle,” the Legislature’s top GOP leaders and the co-chairs of the Joint Finance Committ… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options. Username or E-mail Password * Remember

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Dept. of Workforce Development: Wisconsin business closing & mass layoff (WARN) notice: Fortis Management Group, LLC

DWD has received the following Wisconsin Business Closing and Mass Layoff (WARN) notice: Fortis Management Group, LLC. – Fortis Management Group, LLC entered receivership and notes that there will be a layoff of a number of employees who are employed by the Milwaukee WI office located at 111 West Michigan St, Milwaukee, WI 53203. Currently, there are approximately 225 Fortis employees who are employed by the Milwaukee Office. They anticipate 25% or more of these employees will be laid off within sixty (60) days of this letter (August 21, 2017) and they anticipate the Milwaukee Office will close in its entirety

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Local officials express support for Foxconn deal, seek some changes

Local officials appearing at today’s hearing expressed support for the Foxconn bill, but asked for a few changes to address local impacts. Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian asked for several changes to language regarding TIFs to allow for investment in the water utility and to allow police and fire personnel hired with TIF funds can be moved to the regular property tax roll over time without having to boost taxes on residents. He also asked the state to include locals as part of clawback provisions if Foxconn doesn’t live up to its commitments, saying the city wouldn’t be able to go

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Dept. of Transportation: Nicolet-Wolf River Scenic Byway becomes fifth scenic byway in the state

Contact: Mae Knowles, Office of Public Affairs (608) 266-7917, mae.knowles@dot.wi.gov The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) today announced the designation of the state’s fifth scenic byway. The Nicolet-Wolf River Scenic Byway is a 145-mile route traversing parts of the state’s northcentral counties of Forest, Langlade, Oneida and Vilas. This scenic byway is named in honor of two of its nationally-recognized resources: the Nicolet National Forest and the Wolf River, a National Scenic River. A variety of recreational opportunities are available to travelers ranging from activities on the extensive multi-use trail systems to water-based sports. “This newest scenic byway is the result

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JFC members quiz cabinet officials on clawbacks, diversity, environmental measures in Foxconn bill

Cabinet officials fielded a variety of questions from JFC members, many focusing on the ability of the state to recoup its investment if Foxconn doesn’t fulfill its commitments, environmental concerns and workforce issues. Responding to several questions from JFC Dems about clawbacks, Hogan said those are not included in the legislation and would be negotiated during the contract phase. But Sen. Luther Olsen, R-Ripon, noted that Foxconn isn’t to receive credits until after it builds and hires, and questioned what there would be to recover at any given time. Hogan said one area where clawbacks could come into play is

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Rep. Subeck: Calls on Joint Finance Committee co-chairs to focus on budget, prioritize people over profits

Zach Madden, 608-266-7521(office) 920-627-5773 (cell) MADISON – Today, Representative Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) called on the Republican Joint Finance Committee chairs to realign their priorities by focusing on the state’s past due budget and putting the people of Wisconsin first. Subeck’s call comes as the Joint Committee on Finance is holding a hastily scheduled public hearing in Sturtevant, near the Illinois border, on Special Session Assembly Bill 1, which would provide a $3 billion subsidy to Foxconn. Meanwhile, the Joint Finance Committee has taken no action since June 15on the 2017-19 state budget, which is now 53 days past its statutory deadline for completion of

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Dept. of Veterans Affairs: Wisconsin veteran housing and recovery programs to remain in operation

Contact: (608) 266-2256, Kathy.Marschman@dva.wisconsin.gov MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) announced today that its programs for homeless Veterans located at King and Union Grove will remain open and are accepting new participants. The announcement comes as WDVA signed an agreement offered by USDVA to extend funding for the transitional housing programs. “Helping Veterans regain mental and physical health, maintain steady employment, and find quality affordable permanent housing are the goals of our highly successful programs,” WDVA Secretary Dan Zimmerman said. “We are excited that USDVA will once again partner with us as we continue to meet these goals.  I’d also

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Neitzel, Hogan highlight positive potential of Foxconn project

STURTEVANT — In opening statements before the Joint Finance Committee’s hearing on the Foxconn bill, DOA Secretary Scott Neitzel and WEDC Secretary Mark Hogan today stressed ways the planned $10 billion investment would reshape the state’s economy. Neitzel said Foxconn would transform the state’s economy by bringing electronics manufacturing back to the United States. Neitzel added the $10 billion planned investment from Foxconn “will fundamentally transform and enhance the economic landscape in Wisconsin and establish our state as the leader in electronics manufacturing in the United States.” Neitzel highlighted not only the possibility of 13,000 direct jobs and a $10

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Department of Administration Secretary Neitzel: Wisconn Valley will be made in America, right here in Wisconsin

August 22, 2017 Contact: Steven Michels, (608) 267-7874 Sturtevant – Department of Administration Secretary Scott Neitzel appeared before the Joint Committee on Finance in Sturtevant to discuss Foxconn’s transformational investment into the State of Wisconsin.  Secretary Neitzel was joined by representatives from the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Revenue, Department of Transportation, Department of Workforce Development, and Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to explain the value of this historic Wisconsin investment.   “We are pleased to take this opportunity to share with members of the Joint Committee on Finance the historic impact of bringing a new industry to the United States,” Secretary

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Gov. Walker: ICYMI: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: “Report: Foxconn could return nearly $4 for every $1 in state subsidy”

Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 266-2839 Rick Romell and Jason SteinAugust 21, 2017 A massive manufacturing complex planned by Foxconn Technology Group could generate broad gains for Wisconsin “that go far beyond the direct job estimates and tax revenue costs which have dominated the recent discussion,” according to a report by a UW-Madison economist released Monday. If the Taiwan-based electronics manufacturer employs 13,000 people in the state, the ripple effect could spawn an additional 19,000 to 26,000 jobs through growth from the company’s suppliers and other businesses in the region, said Noah Williams, director of the Center for Research on the Wisconsin Economy.

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Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center: The 1​4th Annual Labor Day Dash to benefit Safe Harbor

 CONTACT: Jodi Vander Molen​,  jodiv@safeharborhelpskids.org,  608-251-9233 Madison, WI (August  ​22, 2017)  Labor Day Dash To Benefit Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center Monday, September 4th, 2016 – Mark your calendars for The 14th Annual Labor Day Dash to Benefit Safe Harbor on Monday, September ​4th at the Vilas Park Shelter.  The Dash includes a 5K and 10K run, a 5K walk, a “stroller division” and a free Tot Trot for ages 0-8.     Early registration is $25 for adult and $12.50 for ages 14 and under. After August 28th registration is $35 for adults and $17.50 for ages 14 and under.  For more information, visit www.safeharborhelpskids.org,

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Local officials express support for Foxconn deal, seek some changes

Local officials appearing at today’s hearing expressed support for the Foxconn bill, but asked for a few changes to address local impacts. Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian asked for several changes to language regarding TIFs to allow for investment in the water utility and to allow police and fire personnel hired

Read More »

Dept. of Transportation: Nicolet-Wolf River Scenic Byway becomes fifth scenic byway in the state

Contact: Mae Knowles, Office of Public Affairs (608) 266-7917, mae.knowles@dot.wi.gov The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) today announced the designation of the state’s fifth scenic byway. The Nicolet-Wolf River Scenic Byway is a 145-mile route traversing parts of the state’s northcentral counties of Forest, Langlade, Oneida and Vilas. This scenic byway

Read More »

Rep. Subeck: Calls on Joint Finance Committee co-chairs to focus on budget, prioritize people over profits

Zach Madden, 608-266-7521(office) 920-627-5773 (cell) MADISON – Today, Representative Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) called on the Republican Joint Finance Committee chairs to realign their priorities by focusing on the state’s past due budget and putting the people of Wisconsin first. Subeck’s call comes as the Joint Committee on Finance is holding a hastily scheduled

Read More »

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: Wisconsin veteran housing and recovery programs to remain in operation

Contact: (608) 266-2256, Kathy.Marschman@dva.wisconsin.gov MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) announced today that its programs for homeless Veterans located at King and Union Grove will remain open and are accepting new participants. The announcement comes as WDVA signed an agreement offered by USDVA to extend funding for the transitional

Read More »

Neitzel, Hogan highlight positive potential of Foxconn project

STURTEVANT — In opening statements before the Joint Finance Committee’s hearing on the Foxconn bill, DOA Secretary Scott Neitzel and WEDC Secretary Mark Hogan today stressed ways the planned $10 billion investment would reshape the state’s economy. Neitzel said Foxconn would transform the state’s economy by bringing electronics manufacturing back

Read More »

Department of Administration Secretary Neitzel: Wisconn Valley will be made in America, right here in Wisconsin

August 22, 2017 Contact: Steven Michels, (608) 267-7874 Sturtevant – Department of Administration Secretary Scott Neitzel appeared before the Joint Committee on Finance in Sturtevant to discuss Foxconn’s transformational investment into the State of Wisconsin.  Secretary Neitzel was joined by representatives from the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Revenue, Department of

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