Visit WisPolitics-State Affairs for premium content,
keyword notifications, bill tracking and more
A group representing small businesses in the state is calling for full passage of a bill limiting the governor’s emergency powers after polling found broad support among its members. AB 912, which the GOP Assembly passed last week along party
International trade experts agreed engaging with China is still preferable as the United States and its allies consider how to deal with China’s rise in the global economy. “I’d describe it as engagement with eyes wide open, so that we’re
A study led by UW-Madison authors found carbon emissions of corn ethanol produced to meet the Renewable Fuel Standard could be 24 percent higher than from the equivalent amount of gasoline. “It basically reaffirms what many suspected, that corn ethanol
More business leaders in the state are planning to raise wages this year, according to the latest employer survey from Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. Thirty-four percent of surveyed businesses said they will be raising wages by more than 4 percent
A new report on climate change in Wisconsin finds statewide temperatures have increased by 3 degrees since 1950, while precipitation has risen by 17 percent. The report, from the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts, was created after Gov. Tony
Xcel Energy has announced approval by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for its plan to cut carbon emissions from electricity provided in the Upper Midwest by over 85 percent by 2030. That includes customers in Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South
An Assembly committee has approved a hotly debated bill related to electric vehicle charging infrastructure that opponents say would limit the role of local government in transportation innovation. The Assembly Committee on Energy and Utilities recently passed the legislation during
Officials agree new federal infrastructure dollars coming to Wisconsin are an opportunity to address workforce issues by getting more people into the trades. “I’d see this as an opportunity to invest in our communities to get people trained up, to
In a recent survey of Milwaukee-area companies, 90 percent of responding organizations said they’ve adjusted employee pay ranges for 2022 to help with recruitment. The survey was conducted earlier this month by human resources firm MRA, which has offices in
The Milwaukee Tech Hub Coalition’s latest annual report shows the group’s membership swelled to more than 110 last year. Coalition CEO Kathy Henrich highlighted the group’s updated priorities in an introductory message. These include attracting talent and businesses — with
The head of the Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum says Republicans in the state have a “political opportunity” in clean energy given widespread support seen in poll results. “We do polling every year across the country, we do polling here in
The head of the Wisconsin Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy says the office is leaning toward executive and agency actions as it develops the state’s clean energy plan. “So we recognize that legislative might be a bit of a
This week’s episode of “WisBusiness: the Podcast” is with Ann Leinfelder Grove, president and CEO of Wellpoint Care Network. This Milwaukee-based human services organization works with about 5,000 clients every day, offering mental health services and other support for children,
An executive with Horicon Bank urged business community members to “pay attention to the utility, not the price” when weighing the pros and cons of cryptocurrencies. Bob Van Kirk, the bank’s vice president of treasury and commercial payment solutions, spoke
A recent survey of Wisconsin voters found broad support for requiring that in-state workers be employed on renewable energy projects in the state. The survey was conducted by Public Policy Polling and commissioned by Wisconsin Infrastructure Investment Now, tapping 557
The head of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation says the group’s annual Ag Day at the Capitol event gives farmers a chance to share their stories with lawmakers. “Farmers are less than 2 percent of the population, but the population
The chair of the Wisconsin Realtors Association Board says the state setting a new record for home sales last year is “remarkable” given tight inventories. “That we have been able to do this even as inventories tightened throughout 2021 is
— An investment strategist for Bank of America predicts stronger economic growth in the United States and globally over the first half of this year than the second. “I always describe it as we’re kind of coming off the sugar
Milwaukee Venture Partners Secretary Guy Mascari says the newly formed angel investor network is “off to a good start” after launching in March of last year. “I think we’ve kind of exceeded our expectations,” he said yesterday during a luncheon
The Milwaukee area real estate market set a record for sales last year with 23,827 total units sold, the latest report from the Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors shows. The prior record of 22,445 units sold was set in 2020,
A group representing small businesses in the state is calling for full passage of a bill limiting the governor’s emergency powers after polling found broad support among its members. AB 912, which the GOP Assembly passed last week along party lines, would prohibit the governor from declaring businesses as “essential”
International trade experts agreed engaging with China is still preferable as the United States and its allies consider how to deal with China’s rise in the global economy. “I’d describe it as engagement with eyes wide open, so that we’re not being taken advantage of,” U.S. Rep. Ron Kind said
A study led by UW-Madison authors found carbon emissions of corn ethanol produced to meet the Renewable Fuel Standard could be 24 percent higher than from the equivalent amount of gasoline. “It basically reaffirms what many suspected, that corn ethanol is not a climate-friendly fuel and we need to accelerate
More business leaders in the state are planning to raise wages this year, according to the latest employer survey from Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. Thirty-four percent of surveyed businesses said they will be raising wages by more than 4 percent in 2022, marking an increase from the previous WMC survey
A new report on climate change in Wisconsin finds statewide temperatures have increased by 3 degrees since 1950, while precipitation has risen by 17 percent. The report, from the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts, was created after Gov. Tony Evers signed an executive order in 2019 ordering the report’s
Xcel Energy has announced approval by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for its plan to cut carbon emissions from electricity provided in the Upper Midwest by over 85 percent by 2030. That includes customers in Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Michigan. The Minneapolis-based company’s Upper Midwest Energy Plan
An Assembly committee has approved a hotly debated bill related to electric vehicle charging infrastructure that opponents say would limit the role of local government in transportation innovation. The Assembly Committee on Energy and Utilities recently passed the legislation during an executive session after adding several amendments. In its amended
Officials agree new federal infrastructure dollars coming to Wisconsin are an opportunity to address workforce issues by getting more people into the trades. “I’d see this as an opportunity to invest in our communities to get people trained up, to get them connected with good, family-supporting jobs at a living
In a recent survey of Milwaukee-area companies, 90 percent of responding organizations said they’ve adjusted employee pay ranges for 2022 to help with recruitment. The survey was conducted earlier this month by human resources firm MRA, which has offices in Waukesha as well as in Illinois and Minnesota. It tapped
The Milwaukee Tech Hub Coalition’s latest annual report shows the group’s membership swelled to more than 110 last year. Coalition CEO Kathy Henrich highlighted the group’s updated priorities in an introductory message. These include attracting talent and businesses — with Henrich noting that acquisition is “faster than organic growth” —
The head of the Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum says Republicans in the state have a “political opportunity” in clean energy given widespread support seen in poll results. “We do polling every year across the country, we do polling here in Wisconsin, it doesn’t matter if you’re polling right-of-center voters, middle
The head of the Wisconsin Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy says the office is leaning toward executive and agency actions as it develops the state’s clean energy plan. “So we recognize that legislative might be a bit of a challenge, but we’re not totally pushing away legislative opportunities,” Director
This week’s episode of “WisBusiness: the Podcast” is with Ann Leinfelder Grove, president and CEO of Wellpoint Care Network. This Milwaukee-based human services organization works with about 5,000 clients every day, offering mental health services and other support for children, families, young adults and others. “Mental health services are a
An executive with Horicon Bank urged business community members to “pay attention to the utility, not the price” when weighing the pros and cons of cryptocurrencies. Bob Van Kirk, the bank’s vice president of treasury and commercial payment solutions, spoke yesterday during a Wisconsin Technology Council luncheon in Madison. He
A recent survey of Wisconsin voters found broad support for requiring that in-state workers be employed on renewable energy projects in the state. The survey was conducted by Public Policy Polling and commissioned by Wisconsin Infrastructure Investment Now, tapping 557 voters on Jan. 17-18 by telephone and text message. It
The head of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation says the group’s annual Ag Day at the Capitol event gives farmers a chance to share their stories with lawmakers. “Farmers are less than 2 percent of the population, but the population needs us three times a day with meals,” WFBF President
The chair of the Wisconsin Realtors Association Board says the state setting a new record for home sales last year is “remarkable” given tight inventories. “That we have been able to do this even as inventories tightened throughout 2021 is a true testament to the persistence of buyers and the
— An investment strategist for Bank of America predicts stronger economic growth in the United States and globally over the first half of this year than the second. “I always describe it as we’re kind of coming off the sugar high of COVID relief and COVID stimulus, particularly here in
Milwaukee Venture Partners Secretary Guy Mascari says the newly formed angel investor network is “off to a good start” after launching in March of last year. “I think we’ve kind of exceeded our expectations,” he said yesterday during a luncheon event hosted by the Wisconsin Technology Council in Wauwatosa. Mascari
The Milwaukee area real estate market set a record for sales last year with 23,827 total units sold, the latest report from the Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors shows. The prior record of 22,445 units sold was set in 2020, according to a previous report. While December is typically a