Gov. Doyle: Signs bill to create Wisconsin Green to Gold fund

Contact: Laura Smith, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162

Also Signs Ten Other Bills

MILWAUKEE – Governor Jim Doyle today signed into law 11 bills, including a bill authorizing the Wisconsin Green to Gold Fund, a $100 million revolving loan fund for manufacturers to reduce their energy costs, improve their bottom line and create jobs. The bill, Senate Bill 651, streamlines state and federal resources to assist manufacturers in retooling their facilities to create and retain jobs.

“My top priority has been and will continue to be helping businesses create jobs and giving our workers the opportunities to get those jobs,” Governor Doyle said. “The Green to Gold fund provides low interest loans to Wisconsin’s manufacturers to help them reduce their energy costs, improve their bottom line, and create and retain jobs. This is a unique program, and a great example of Wisconsin’s leading role in helping businesses compete and succeed in a global economy.”

Governor Doyle thanked Senators Lassa and Holperin and Representatives Mason and Molepske for their work on the bill.

Governor Doyle also signed into law Senate Bill 514, which adds three UW-Milwaukee projects to the 2009-11 authorized state building program. Those projects are: construction of the Freshwater Sciences Initiative research building and purchase of a replacement for the Neeskay research vessel; construction of a Kenwood Integrated Research complex; and acquisition and redevelopment of the Columbia St. Mary’s Columbia campus medical facilities. These three projects are part of the Milwaukee Initiative to expand research and science education at UW-Milwaukee.

Governor Doyle thanked Senators Plale and Kreitlow and Representatives Richards and Hintz for their work on the bill.

Governor Doyle also signed into law Assembly Bill 898, which expands the trial and transitional jobs programs by leveraging federal funding to assist low-income adults build work skills and job experience.

Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Grigsby and Sinicki and Senators Coggs and Lehman for their work on the bill.

Governor Doyle also signed into law the following bills:

* Senate Bill 375 permits the exchange of electronic records from the Consolidated Court Automation Program (CCAP) and the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System.

Governor Doyle thanked Senators Sullivan and Taylor and Representatives Knodl and Grigsby for their work on the bill.

* Senate Bill 517 creates a new Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children that takes effect when 35 states enact the compact.

Governor Doyle thanked Senators Jauch and Holperin and Representatives Seidel and Berceau for their work on the bill.

* Senate Bill 619 increases the fee for obtaining special Celebrate Children license plates to benefit the Children’s Trust Fund.

Governor Doyle thanked Senators Lassa and Hansen and Representatives Seidel and Barca for their work on the bill.

* Senate Bill 670 makes certain changes to provisions for the disposal of a decedent’s property relating to estate tax modifications.

Governor Doyle thanked Senator Taylor and Representative Turner for their work on the bill.

* Assembly Bill 296 makes various changes to the law regarding children and families involved in two or more systems of care.

Governor Doyle thanked the members of the Joint Legislative Council for their work on the bill.

* Assembly Bill 780 makes a variety of changes to the licensing of residential care centers, the fees that can be charged and requires the Department of Children and Families to create a performance-based contracting system.

Governor Doyle thanked the members of the Joint Legislative Council for their work on the bill.

* Assembly Bill 823 strengthens the foster care training requirements contained in the biennial budget, 2009 Act 28.

Governor Doyle thanked the members of the Joint Legislative Council for their work on the bill.

* Assembly Bill 883 requires the Milwaukee Child Welfare Partnership Council to develop recommendations for improving child welfare in Milwaukee County and submitting them to the Department of Children and Families.

Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Grigsby and Pasch and Senators Darling and Coggs for their work on the bill.