Dan Meyer's Legislative Update - Nov 20, 2009

Dan Meyer - 34th Assembly District - November 20, 2009

U-6 Unemployment at 17.5% Nationally

The latest figures have come in, showing 10.2% in national unemployment for the month of October, up from 9.8% in September. In Wisconsin, we are below the national average, coming in at 8.4% in October, unchanged from September.

However, this calculation of unemployment only tells us part of the picture. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also has a more broad estimation, referred to as the "U-6."

The U-6 includes people no longer searching for work or who can't find full-time employment. In contrast, the U-3 (figures that usually get reported) are based on people without work who have actively sought work in the past four weeks.

According to reports from the Federal Bureau of Statistics and Labor, the U-6 national unemployment for the month of October was 17.5%, up from 17% in September.

Multiple Jobs Packages Unveiled

Regardless of which calculation you consider, unemployment is high both nationally and in our state. With the challenges that come with unemployment figures like these, multiple jobs packages have been introduced in the Wisconsin State Legislature. Below is basic information about each of the jobs packages that have been introduced.

Working Agenda for a Working Wisconsin

I recently joined other legislators from Northern Wisconsin in unveiling this package of bills aimed at improving Wisconsin's rural economy.

Included are measures to improve the process for recruiting and relocating businesses by empowering local Economic Development Corporations, who are best able to recognize and respond to these opportunities.

Another part of this package are tax credits for technology and modernization of equipment in the logging industry. This proposal is based on provisions of earlier legislation that created a similar tax credit for Dairy Cooperative and Meat Processing facilities. Like those industries, the lumber industry requires a tremendous amount of investment and efficiency to stay competitive.

In the realm of education, one proposal in this package would open the door for UWSP to create a Biofuels Major. UWSP has been a national leader in the study of forestry and wood products. Creation of a Biofuels Major would allow the university to remain a primary destination for those studying this emerging field.

To bring parity to current tax credits on solar and wind power, one of the bills would allow tax credits for thermal biomass and the equipment used for heating with this fuel. It is projected this proposal would help stabilize the price of wood and create more opportunities for a responsible and sustainable lumber industry, an industry that accounts for over 300,000 jobs in Wisconsin.

Other proposals in this package include increasing the use of Fuels for Schools - Focus on Energy program, addressing unnecessarily high workers compensation insurance costs for the lumber industry, and targeting for improvement the roads & bridges that the DOT has deemed structurally deficient for logging trucks.

Rebuilding Wisconsin's Economy NOW

Republicans introduced several proposals in September and recently requested the Speaker of the Assembly to convene an immediate Extraordinary Session on Job Creation. Among the proposals in Rebuilding Wisconsin's Economy NOW are:

Jobs Tax Credit - this credit was included in the budget to help employers create good-paying jobs. However, the budget delayed implementation of this credit until 2012. This proposal would have this credit begin in 2010.

Recruit and Retain Jobs NOW - This proposal would require the Department of Commerce to submit a report on business retention methods, and identification of businesses planning to expand or relocate. The proposal would also create a rapid response team to address these prospects. While this proposal was also passed in bipartisan fashion in the budget, it was vetoed by Governor Doyle.

Small Business Flexibility Act - This proposal would modernize the deduction that small businesses are allowed to take on the equipment needed to run their business. This bill would bring our deduction limits more closely in line with the federal government, and put more money in the hands of small business employers to hire more employees.

Combined Reporting - Beginning in the 2011-13 state budget, this proposal would sunset the combined reporting tax. This tax, which has cost employers $215 million, displaces resources that could be used to create jobs.

Wisconsin C.O.R.E Jobs Act

Major provisions of the CORE package, put forth by Democrats, would increase funding for existing programs, including: the New Venture Tax Credit program ($2 million), the New Angel Tax Credit program ($1 million), the Wisconsin Development Fund ($1 million), and the Advanced Manufacturing Training Grants ($500,000).

Under the Act, $2 million would be set aside to convert unused factories to be producers of green energy. And $500,000 would be set aside for luring international companies to locate their operations in rural Wisconsin.

The CORE package would aim to speed up business permits and approvals by creating a position at the Regulatory Ombudsman Center and employing a grant writer to help businesses compete for Small Business Innovation and Research grants.

In addition, this package would create micro-loans for dislocated workers wishing to start their own business, and tax credits for businesses who pay tuition for the post-secondary education of low-income employees.

The three packages described above don't encompass all the legislation that has been introduced this session to improve Wisconsin's economy. However, not enough has been done to address the challenges we face. It is my hope that bipartisan job creation legislation moves forward in an Extraordinary Session of the Legislature.

Deadline Fast-Approaching to Send Packages to U.S. Servicemembers

According to the United States Postal Service, first-class and priority mail for Christmas delivery to Afghanistan, Iraq and other overseas destinations must be sent by December 4th.

Priority mail packaging is available at your local Post Office and the large flat-rate box can be sent to any overseas United States military destination for $11.95. There is no weight limit, but the contents must fit in the box.

Packages must be addressed to an individual service member by name, without rank, per Department of Defense regulations. If you use a regular box, make sure it is strong enough to protect the contents and make sure to pack with newspaper or bubble wrap to prevent shifting. No writing is allowed on the outside of packages and customs forms must be filled out and are available at the Post Office.

APO (Army Post Office) and FPO (Fleet Post Office) mail is placed on special transportation in an effort to deliver it as soon as possible. For additional guidelines to mail packages to service members please follow the link: http://www.usps.com/suportingourtroops

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing you the best of times with family & friends as Thanksgiving draws near.

State Representative Dan Meyer
State Capitol - Room 308 North - Post Office Box 8953 - Madison, Wisconsin 53708
(608) 266-7141 - Fax (608) 282-3634 - Toll Free: (888) 534-0034
Email: Rep.Meyer@legis.wi.gov

Republican Women of the North, Northern WI, rwotnorth@gmail.com