State imports hit $38.9B in 2024, WPF report shows

Businesses and consumers in the state bought $38.9 billion in imported goods last year, a decline from the recent peak of $43.9 billion in 2022.  That’s according to the Wisconsin Policy Forum’s latest report, which shows the inflation-adjusted value of

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GOP bill would change apprenticeship ratio

Republican lawmakers are seeking to change the state’s apprenticeship law to allow skilled workers to supervise two construction apprentices each, rather than just one.  Sen. Chris Kapenga of Delafield, along with Reps. Dave Maxey of New Berlin and Adam Neylon

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SHINE expanding distribution to UAE under new agreement

SHINE Technologies is expanding distribution of a cancer treatment product to the United Arab Emirates through an agreement with Modawina Medical Company of Dubai.  The Janesville nuclear technology company recently announced the distribution partnership, which will bring SHINE’s Illumira product

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Dem bill aims to support cryptocurrency innovation

A bill from Dem lawmakers would create an innovation program for financial services and a related pilot project, aimed at supporting Wisconsin entrepreneurs and businesses exploring cryptocurrency applications.  That’s according to Sen. Dora Drake, D-Milwaukee, who spoke during last week’s

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Wisconsin Grocers Association raising concerns over proposed FoodShare cuts

The Wisconsin Grocers Association is raising concerns about “deep cuts” to FoodShare included in the federal budget reconciliation bill.  FoodShare is the state’s version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides food benefits to low-income recipients. WGA says the program is a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of state

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Busy Q2 expected as companies take advantage of tariff reprieve

The head of Milwaukee-based customs broker M.E. Dey says “it’s going to be a busy Q2” as companies rush their imports and exports during the current tariff reprieve.  Sandi Siegel, the company’s president and CEO, notes the international trade landscape remains fraught with volatility despite the U.S-UK trade deal announced

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Dairyland exec touts potential of wind energy plus battery tech

An executive with Dairyland Power Cooperative says wind energy coupled with battery storage will be a “monster workhorse” for the western Wisconsin region where the co-op operates.  Kevin Nordt is executive vice president and chief strategy officer for Dairyland, based in La Crosse. He spoke yesterday during a Wisconsin Technology

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State imports hit $38.9B in 2024, WPF report shows

Businesses and consumers in the state bought $38.9 billion in imported goods last year, a decline from the recent peak of $43.9 billion in 2022.  That’s according to the Wisconsin Policy Forum’s latest report, which shows the inflation-adjusted value of state imports has risen 32.4% since 2016.  As Wisconsin imports

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Assembly committee approves bill to form State Film Office

The Assembly Ways and Means Committee has voted unanimously in favor of AB 231, which would create the State Film Office and a tax credit incentive for producing films in Wisconsin. Filmmakers told lawmakers at a public hearing last week the bill would boost Wisconsin’s economy by providing resources and

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Study finds union programs dominate construction apprenticeships

A recent study from the Midwest Economic Policy Institute shows union training programs enroll 77% of the state’s construction apprentices, despite just 22% of Wisconsin’s construction industry being unionized.  The Wisconsin Building Trades Council is touting the findings of this report, which also shows union journeyworkers in the state typically

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MMAC report shows ‘mixed’ employment trends for metro Milwaukee

Just seven of the 23 economic indicators tracked by the MMAC improved over the year, the group’s March economic trends report shows, marking a slowdown from February’s 11 positive indicators.  Bret Mayborne, vice president of economic research for the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, says employment trends for March were

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Panel explores energy challenges, opportunities linked to data centers

The energy grid challenge posed by more data centers coming online presents an opportunity to accelerate new technologies in this space, according to former state PSC Commissioner Tyler Huebner.  Huebner, who now works for Google’s energy market development team, was a featured speaker at this week’s Customers First Coalition 2025

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Lawmakers reintroduce bipartisan advanced practice registered nurse bill

Lawmakers are reintroducing a bipartisan bill they say would help the state’s health care workforce by changing regulations for advanced practice registered nurses.  The APRN Modernization Act was highlighted yesterday during a news conference at the state Capitol, where both Dems and GOP legislators expressed confidence in getting the bill

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GOP bill would change apprenticeship ratio

Republican lawmakers are seeking to change the state’s apprenticeship law to allow skilled workers to supervise two construction apprentices each, rather than just one.  Sen. Chris Kapenga of Delafield, along with Reps. Dave Maxey of New Berlin and Adam Neylon of Pewaukee, recently circulated a co-sponsorship memo for legislation to

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Bill from GOP authors would expand a tax exemption for data centers

Republican lawmakers have been circulating legislation to expand a sales tax exemption for data centers.  Rep. Shannon Zimmerman, R-River Falls, and Sen. Romaine Quinn, R-Birchwood, last week sent a co-sponsorship memo to other legislators seeking support for the legislation. The proposal would extend the tax break from last session to

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SHINE expanding distribution to UAE under new agreement

SHINE Technologies is expanding distribution of a cancer treatment product to the United Arab Emirates through an agreement with Modawina Medical Company of Dubai.  The Janesville nuclear technology company recently announced the distribution partnership, which will bring SHINE’s Illumira product to patients in the UAE. Under the agreement, Modawina Medical

Read More »

Dem bill aims to support cryptocurrency innovation

A bill from Dem lawmakers would create an innovation program for financial services and a related pilot project, aimed at supporting Wisconsin entrepreneurs and businesses exploring cryptocurrency applications.  That’s according to Sen. Dora Drake, D-Milwaukee, who spoke during last week’s WI Digital Policy Forum at the Milwaukee County Historical Society.

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NFIB urging Congress to make small business tax deduction permanent

NFIB Wisconsin State Director Bill Smith warns that letting a 20% tax deduction for small businesses expire would be “devastating” for the economy.  The National Federation of Independent Business yesterday issued a report highlighting the impact of the small business tax deduction, established by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

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