— A statewide smoking ban is one step closer to reality, with committees in both the Senate and Assembly approving a compromise bill Friday. The Senate Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief, and Revenue Committee approved SB 181 5-2, with “no” votes from Sens. Tim Carpenter, D-Milwaukee, and Mary Lazich, R-New Berlin. Carpenter gave a preview of what may lie ahead when the bill goes to the floor, offering two amendments to the agreement struck between anti-smoking advocates and the Tavern League. He wanted to strike the provision that pre-empts local ordinances and sought to move the enforcement date up to January 3, 2010. Committee chairman Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, said he wanted to get the “solid agreement” through the committee unscathed, adding that the Senate could “have at it” on the floor. Erpenbach added that, speaking as a smoker “desperately trying to quit,” it would be better if smokers could ease into smoking outside in July rather than January. Carpenter’s motions failed after a lack of a second from the committee. In the Assembly Health and Healthcare Reform Committee, AB 253 was approved 11-1, with the lone “no” vote from West Bend Republican Pat Strachota. Both chambers are expected to vote on the bill Wednesday. Read more on the committee votes: http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=158066 — Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli has sent a letter to members of the Wisconsin congressional delegation and Gov. Jim Doyle apologizing for misleading them on the Kenosha engine plant. At one point, Nardelli said during a conference call that Chrysler was still considering keeping the plant open. He wrote that he had mistakenly conveyed information about the status of the Trenton, Mich., plant in response to a question about the Kenosha facility. A bankruptcy filing revealed the day after the conference call that Chrysler would close the plant. “[P]lease accept my sincere apologies for the confusion. We will continue to work with the people of Kenosha to ensure an orderly transition,” Nardelli wrote. Read Nardelli’s letter: http://www.wispolitics.com/1006/_090508_Chrysler_letter.pdf — Whether it’s a bear rally or the start of a new bull market, Wall Street is feeling good after another rising week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, shaking off a higher unemployment rate because of the perception the worst may be over, went into today’s trading up more than 362 points from last Monday’s open. State stocks as measured by the WisBusiness.com Stock Tracker are also soaring. They went into today’s trading at about 1,507 — up from 1,428 a week ago. How stocks finish up this week could hinge on how investors view earnings reports from major retailers — including Wisconsin’s own Kohl’s on Thursday. Other earnings reports this week include Neenah Paper, which reports first-quarter earnings this afternoon. In addition to the Kohl’s earnings Thursday, the day will see the annual meeting of MGIC shareholders. MGIC stock is still trading at a low number — a little over $5 — but the private mortgage insurer is getting positive looks again from stock analysts who see the real estate market bottoming out. TOP STORIES Madison print firm buys another business: Madison-based American Printing Co. has acquired the Printing Partners, another Madison-based printing firm. Neenah Paper to close California operation: Neenah Paper on Friday announced it is closing its fine paper mill in Ripon, Calif., as part of a cost-cutting move. Official says military vehicle order may bring new hiring to Oshkosh Corp.: The contract awarded on May 1 assures Oshkosh an order for a minimum 2,080 M-ATVs, but officials hope it’s closer to the maximum 10,000 vehicles that could be spread out between Oshkosh and its four competitors.
************************************************************ See commentary from around the state and columns from WisBusiness contributors Jennifer Sereno, Kevin McKinley, Tom Burzinski, Gregg Hoffmann, Tom Still and Steve Jagler: ************************************************************
ECONOMY (back to top)
MANUFACTURING (back to top) – Oshkosh Corp. awarded indefinite military contract for M-ATVs – Johnson Outdoors reports improved profit – Magnetek earnings plunge – Kohl among senators urging full funding for manufacturing program
LABOR (back to top)
SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
INVESTING (back to top)
REAL ESTATE (back to top) – Business Beat: City rapped for letting older homes go to pot – Downtown rents don’t decrease even with influx of condo rentals
AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
RETAIL (back to top) – Proxy fight in works at Target
REGULATION (back to top) TOURISM (back to top) – Insurance change could send Wisconsin ski areas downhill
UTILITIES (back to top)
HEALTH CARE (back to top)
FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top) – Associated is latest bank to offer mortgage-deferral program – Baylake Bank’s fortunes turning around for the better
MANAGEMENT (back to top) – Bucyrus CEO takes broad view of world, local community
PRESS RELEASES (back to top) For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82 |
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