Legislation being circulated for cosponsorship in Wisconsin would establish a separate tax rate for some alternative tobacco products that are deemed a lower health risk than cigarettes.  Sen. Patrick Testin, R-Stevens Point, and Rep. Chanz Green, R-Grand View, recently sent a memo to other lawmakers seeking support for the bill. 

The new budget signed by Gov. Tony Evers includes a workers’ compensation fee schedule for hospital charges — a compromise on an issue that for years has pitted the state’s business lobby against the health care industry.  Scott Manley, executive vice president of government affairs for Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce,

The head of the Wisconsin Farmers Union says the lack of state budget funding for various agricultural assistance programs is “a missed opportunity” to boost local food systems.  The group yesterday weighed in on what made it into the final version of the state budget that Gov. Tony Evers signed

SHINE Technologies has announced a new partnership with a Tennessee company, Standard Nuclear, aimed at turning recycled nuclear fuel into a “strategic asset” for new fuel production.  That’s according to SHINE CEO and founder Greg Piefer, who calls the agreement an “important step toward closing the nuclear fuel cycle” and

A bill being circulated by GOP lawmakers would make changes to the state’s Historic Preservation Tax Credit program, which authors say will ensure it remains “an important, useful resource.”  Sen. Dan Feyen, R-Fond du Lac, and Rep. David Armstrong, R-Rice Lake, recently sent a cosponsorship memo to other lawmakers seeking

Bank executives have a relatively stable view of Wisconsin’s economy, despite ongoing uncertainty around tariffs and the national economic picture.  That’s according to the Wisconsin Bankers Association’s Economic Conditions Survey of Wisconsin bank CEOs. It found 59% of respondents expect the state economy to stay the same over the next

Life sciences manufacturers see inflation and supply chain disruptions as bigger risks this year than last year, according to a report from Rockwell Automation.  The Milwaukee-based manufacturing company recently released its 10th annual State of Smart Manufacturing report. It included a section focused on the life sciences sector with insights

The Assembly has sent to Gov. Tony Evers’ desk several measures to boost nuclear power in Wisconsin.  SB 125, approved by voice vote, would require the Public Service Commission to conduct a nuclear power siting study. The bill would also require the PSC to submit a report on the study

May home sales in Wisconsin fell 2.1% over the year, marking the third month in a row of declining sales. But it was a smaller decrease than the two previous months.  The Wisconsin Realtors Association’s latest report highlights this slowdown in the rate of decline, noting March sales had fallen

Wisconsin residents’ debt-to-income ratio was 11th lowest among U.S. states in 2024, a new Forward Analytics report shows.  The research organization, part of the Wisconsin Counties Association, yesterday issued its “Badgers on a Budget” report, which explores household finance trends in the state and compares them to the rest of

Manufacturing and construction employment in Wisconsin is projected to shrink this year as the state’s overall labor market “continues to grow at a modest but steady rate.”  That’s according to the state Department of Revenue’s economic forecast for May, which shows job growth in Wisconsin this year is expected to

The head of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation says farmers are “as concerned or more concerned than any other industry” about tariffs, though trade uncertainties haven’t yet had a major impact on agriculture.  WFBF President Brad Olson said in a recent interview the threat of tariffs hasn’t resulted in many

As Wisconsin lawmakers debate competing approaches to restricting foreign ownership of land, a new study finds similar bills elsewhere are more likely in states with Republican legislative majorities, military installations and more foreign-owned cropland.  Michigan State University recently published research findings focused on legislation being introduced across the country to re… Please

Authors of a bill to enter Wisconsin into a multi-state licensure compact say it would break down employment barriers for cosmetology professionals looking to work in the state.  Sen. Andre Jacque, R-New Franken, and Rep. Joy Goeben, R-Hobart, are circulating a cosponsorship memo on the legislation, which would ratify and

WMC’s latest survey finds fewer business leaders are struggling to find workers, though this is likely being driven by economic uncertainty putting a damper on hiring and other decisions.  That’s according to Kurt Bauer, president and CEO of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce. In a statement on the findings, he said

Leaders of the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub say three of the effort’s main initiatives are “advancing swiftly” as partners leverage state and federal dollars to boost the sector.  Lead partner BioForward yesterday announced projects are underway to drive workforce development in Madison and Milwaukee, bolster statewide networks for biotech startups,

Economic development group Forward Janesville has launched a new directory of local child care services as part of an effort to address concerns around access and availability.  The organization this week rolled out the new online resource, which aims to help Rock County residents find nearby child care providers more

Students at UW-Stout recently took part in a product design project for Arcadia-based Ashley Furniture, one of the largest furniture manufacturers in the world.  As part of a new product development course at the university, the students were tasked with conducting market research before designing, testing and building professional prototypes

GOP lawmakers are circulating a bill to establish a dairy farm innovation program, which would offer no-interest loans to qualifying milk producers.  Sen. Rob Stafsholt of New Richmond and Rep. Clint Moses of Menomonie on Friday sent a cosponsorship memo to other lawmakers detailing the bill. The noted dairy farms

Archeus Technologies in Madison and WARF are launching a clinical trial this year for a targeting molecule used in treating prostate cancer.  The organizations yesterday announced the plans to further develop ART-101, a receptor-based targeting molecule developed at UW-Madison’s Advanced Radiotheranostics lab. It’s designed to deliver radioactive isotopes within the