Federal Reserve speaker highlights benefits cliff impact

A project advisor for the Federal Reserve says about 750,000 people in Wisconsin are impacted by “benefits cliff-related issues,” arguing this is holding back the state’s workforce.  Graham Anderson, lead project advisor for the Federal Reserve Branch of Atlanta Benefits

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Water Council touting phosphorus removal product agreement

The Water Council is touting a new agreement for a product that can remove phosphorus from stormwater, agricultural runoff and other municipal wastewater.  According to a release from the Milwaukee-based water technology organization, the phosphorus-absorbing pellets were developed by a

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Business groups top lobbying list

Business groups representing manufacturing, real estate, construction, health care and farming spent the most money lobbying Wisconsin lawmakers in the first six months of the year.  The top five for spending were: Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, $348,511; Wisconsin Realtors Association,

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DNR announces new PFAS standards in effect

— The Department of Natural Resources has announced new PFAS standards are now in effect for drinking and surface water as well as new requirements for firefighting foam.  The Natural Resources Board approved the new regulations in February. They require

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Latest cohort announced for Black Founder Accelerator program

The five startup companies named to the latest cohort of Northwestern Mutual’s Black Founder Accelerator program are developing solutions for financial services, insurance and digital health.  The Milwaukee-based company yesterday announced the names of the startups participating in the program,

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Digital mapping tech expected to save time and lives

The head of the state’s Office of School Safety says digital facility mapping is expected to “save time and save lives” during violent incidents and medical emergencies.  The office, part of the state Department of Justice, yesterday announced applications are

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Federal Reserve speaker highlights benefits cliff impact

A project advisor for the Federal Reserve says about 750,000 people in Wisconsin are impacted by “benefits cliff-related issues,” arguing this is holding back the state’s workforce.  Graham Anderson, lead project advisor for the Federal Reserve Branch of Atlanta Benefits Cliff Policy Research, gave an overview of this topic yesterday

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Water Council head says innovation key to water scarcity challenges

Water Council President and CEO Dean Amhaus says technological innovation is needed to address national and global water scarcity.  Speaking yesterday to members of the Milwaukee Rotary Club, Amhaus highlighted a number of lakes and other freshwater reservoirs around the world that have shrunk dramatically in recent decades.  “In June

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Water Council touting phosphorus removal product agreement

The Water Council is touting a new agreement for a product that can remove phosphorus from stormwater, agricultural runoff and other municipal wastewater.  According to a release from the Milwaukee-based water technology organization, the phosphorus-absorbing pellets were developed by a Kentucky startup called Water Warriors. This company participated in The

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Business groups top lobbying list

Business groups representing manufacturing, real estate, construction, health care and farming spent the most money lobbying Wisconsin lawmakers in the first six months of the year.  The top five for spending were: Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, $348,511; Wisconsin Realtors Association, $324,436; Wisconsin Infrastructure Investment Now Inc., $312,264; the Wisconsin Hospital

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Builders group points to ‘acute shortage’ of lots for new homes

The Metropolitan Builders Association says an “acute shortage” of available lots in the Milwaukee area is limiting the home building industry.  A release from the Waukesha-based trade association shows total lots in the metro Milwaukee area reached a peak of 20,488 in 2004 before falling to 1,237 in 2012. While

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DNR announces new PFAS standards in effect

— The Department of Natural Resources has announced new PFAS standards are now in effect for drinking and surface water as well as new requirements for firefighting foam.  The Natural Resources Board approved the new regulations in February. They require the DNR to monitor sites it suspects are contaminated. Systems

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Wisconsin Arts Board head calls for greater state support

The head of the Wisconsin Arts Board is calling for greater state support for the arts and cultural sector, saying “it’s going to be a tough time ahead.”  “It’s going to take extreme creativity,” Executive Director George Tzougrous said Friday in a Wisconsin Policy Forum webinar. “But most importantly, it’s

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DOJ announces multi-state $4.25B opioid agreement framework

— The state Department of Justice has announced multiple states have reached “an agreement in principle” on financial terms for a potential $4.25 billion settlement with opioid maker Teva.  “This agreement, if finalized, will mark another significant step forward in bringing resources to Wisconsin for fighting this epidemic,” Attorney General

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DWD leader highlights groups targeted with employment initiatives

The head of the state DWD says focusing on potential workers in Wisconsin is a “much better solution” to workforce challenges than attracting those from outside the state.  Speaking yesterday to WisconsinEye, Department of Workforce Development Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek highlighted four groups of state residents the agency is targeting with

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DWD economist highlights lagging jobs in leisure and hospitality

The chief economist for the state Department of Workforce Development says employment in the leisure and hospitality sector is lagging due to fewer people working multiple jobs.  In a recent media briefing, Dennis Winters noted Wisconsin’s leisure and hospitality jobs remain about 13,300 from the previous peak, or about 95

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Georgia-Pacific breaks ground on $500M mill expansion in Green Bay

Georgia-Pacific has broken ground on a $500 million expansion to its mill in Green Bay, expected to be complete in 2024.  Speaking yesterday at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Broadway Mill expansion, company executive Kim Burns highlighted the expected impact of the expansion. She’s the vice president and general manager

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Report details job gains in transportation, warehousing

Employment in the state’s transportation and warehousing sector expanded twice as fast as any other sector over 2020 and 2021, a new Wisconsin Policy Forum report shows.  The group’s latest report highlights the state’s jobs picture over this two-year period, showing how certain industries have recovered more than others. Total

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Milwaukee mayor says hosting RNC would attract more events, spending

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson says hosting the 2024 Republican National Convention would help the state’s largest city attract more events and related spending.  The GOP Site Selection Committee reportedly voted Friday to recommend Milwaukee host the 2024 convention. The full Republican National Committee is expected to make the final decision

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Latest cohort announced for Black Founder Accelerator program

The five startup companies named to the latest cohort of Northwestern Mutual’s Black Founder Accelerator program are developing solutions for financial services, insurance and digital health.  The Milwaukee-based company yesterday announced the names of the startups participating in the program, run in partnership with gener8tor. The Black Founder Accelerator supports

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Digital mapping tech expected to save time and lives

The head of the state’s Office of School Safety says digital facility mapping is expected to “save time and save lives” during violent incidents and medical emergencies.  The office, part of the state Department of Justice, yesterday announced applications are being accepted for the 2021 Wisconsin Act 109 Digital Mapping

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