WFBF sets 2024 policy agenda

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s top policy priorities for 2024 include preserving agricultural land for farm use, boosting financial support for wildlife-related crop damage and expanding rural child care.  More than 230 delegates gathered over the weekend through Monday for

Read More »

UW-Madison researchers develop new heat-resistant alloy

UW-Madison researchers have developed a new metal alloy that can withstand higher temperatures, which could be used to improve high-speed aircraft.  The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation is touting the technology as a “top licensing prospect” in its engineering and computer

Read More »

Bill would enable transfer of QNBV angel investor tax credits

GOP lawmakers want to allow angel investors to transfer tax credits earned through investments in certain startups.  Rep. Robert Wittke of Racine and Sen. Dan Feyen of Fond du Lac recently began circulating legislation in a co-sponsorship memo, which touts the success of the state’s Qualified New Business Venture program.

Read More »

Marklein says bill aims to help communities impacted by UW closures

Sen. Howard Marklein says his bill to provide grants to communities that lose UW campuses would offer counties a potential economic development opportunity by helping them repurpose old facilities. The Spring Green Republican during yesterday’s Economic Development and Technical Colleges Committee meeting warned campuses in Washington and Fond du Lac

Read More »

WFBF sets 2024 policy agenda

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s top policy priorities for 2024 include preserving agricultural land for farm use, boosting financial support for wildlife-related crop damage and expanding rural child care.  More than 230 delegates gathered over the weekend through Monday for the group’s annual meeting in Wisconsin Dells to establish its

Read More »

Outdoor recreation has record-high $9.8B state impact last year

Outdoor recreation in Wisconsin last year hit a new record high for economic impact, adding $9.8 billion to the state GDP.  State officials yesterday announced the latest U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis figures, showing a 6.8% increase in 2022 over the previous economic impact record from 2021. It’s the largest

Read More »

Dem bill aims to establish job listing pay transparency

Rep. Jimmy Anderson is circulating legislation that would require employers to include information on pay and benefits in job listings.  The Fitchburg Dem recently sent out a co-sponsorship memo for the bill, which he says will help ensure the state job market remains competitive.  “If companies truly believe their salaries

Read More »

USMCA panel ruling has major implications for U.S. dairy producers

A recent ruling related to trade between the United States and Canada has “significant economic implications” for U.S. dairy producers, according to a spokesperson for Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative.  Karen Gefvert, director of government affairs for the Green Bay-based co-op, yesterday said a ruling by a dispute settlement panel established

Read More »

Report details need for more coordinated small business support in Milwaukee

The need for business coaching, financial education and capital in Milwaukee’s small business community is surpassing capacity, the Wisconsin Policy Forum reports.  The group’s latest report, focused on the small business support system in Wisconsin’s largest city, found Milwaukee has a relatively strong network of service providers. But report authors

Read More »

Economist urges AI task force members to consider impact on high-paying jobs

A state economist is urging members of the Governor’s Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence to consider how the technology will disrupt high-paying jobs.  Department of Workforce Development Economist Scott Hodek spoke yesterday during an online meeting of the task force’s subcommittee on industries, occupations and skills. He said

Read More »

Medicaid unwinding expected to impact open enrollment period

The ongoing Medicaid unwinding process is expected to impact this year’s Healthcare.gov open enrollment period, according to a spokesperson for the state Office of the Commissioner of Insurance.  In an interview yesterday, OCI Director of State Affairs Sarah Smith said the agency hopes to see continued growth in the number

Read More »

UW-Madison researchers develop new heat-resistant alloy

UW-Madison researchers have developed a new metal alloy that can withstand higher temperatures, which could be used to improve high-speed aircraft.  The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation is touting the technology as a “top licensing prospect” in its engineering and computer science portfolio. It was created by Prof. Dan Thoma of

Read More »

Microsoft to invest billions in Mount Pleasant, officials announce

Microsoft plans to invest billions of dollars over the next decade to expand its operations in Mount Pleasant, state and local officials announced.  Under the plan released Friday afternoon by the village of Mount Pleasant and Racine County, the Washington-based tech giant would spend billions of dollars to build new

Read More »