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— Scott VanderSanden, president of AT&T in Wisconsin, says his company is “absolutely” opposed to legislation introduced in the Assembly last week that would alter the 2007 Cable Competition Bill. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” VanderSanden said of the Cable Consumer Repair Bill authored by Rep. Gary Hebl, D-Sun Prairie. Hebl and other critics charge that the 2007 cable bill – which moved authority over cable franchising to state from local officials – has not resulted in lower rates or more jobs. But VanderSanden, who spoke at a Wisconsin Innovation Network luncheon in Madison, said the 2007 legislation needs time to work. And he said his company alone has spent $1 billion in cable infrastructure and hired “hundreds” of workers in the past three years. He said administrative rules took a year to write, so the bill has really only been in effect for six months. “I don’t know how you can declare that something is not working in such a short time,” he said. “This is not the right time to start debating this all over again.” See more from the luncheon: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=177933 — In an oral decision Tuesday, the state Public Service Commission approved an average rate hike of roughly $60 million, or 6.4 percent, for Alliant Energy. It will go into effect Jan. 1. Officials said the ruling will mean average residential customers will see a monthly jump in their electric bills of about $6.10. The PSC also raised the company’s natural gas rates by about $5.5 million, amounting to a monthly increase of approximately $1.50 for gas distribution service. The Madison-based company had initially requested an increase of more than $100 million, or 10 percent. The PSC staff, in an audit, recommended a $73 million boost, or about 7.8 percent on average. See more on the PSC decision: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=177922 — In a new BizOpinion column, John Imes says that when it comes to Wisconsin’s business climate, critics’ obsession with the tax code and regulations not only hurts the state’s image, but it doesn’t tell the real story. He says the state is positioned for success in a high-end economy because of its talent pool, superior work ethic and quality of life, the research and development capabilities of the UW System, fast-growing export markets, not to mention abundant clean water, clean air, reliable energy supply, good roads and infrastructure. See more from Imes: http://blogs.wisbusiness.com/bizopinion/2009/11/what-is-business-all-about.html — For Bob Downs, who founded Planet Bike in Madison’s more than a dozen years ago, aiding bicycle advocacy groups was – and remains – a way to help his company grow. Since its start in 1996, Planet Bike has given away 25 percent of its profits – nearly $1 million to date, says Dave McMurray, director of sales and marketing for the after-market, bike accessory company. “From the beginning, we’ve been passionate about giving back to the sport because Bob thought it was important. But also because he knew it would be good for business. “If you strengthen organizations that are pushing for more bike lanes and improved safety, that will get more people on bikes. And they’ll buy gear.” Read more on Planet Bike in a new WisBusiness interview with McMurray: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=177935 — People will spend $45.4 billion on their pets this year alone, according to the American Pet Products Association, creating a large market that entrepreneurs are wagging their tails over. Two companies that attended the Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium earlier this month — White Bear Technologies and Unique Beast — have created products to satisfy the growing number of animal lovers willing to spend money on their beloved pets. RoamEO Pet Location Systems by White Bear Technologies is a pet-tracking device that use thes Global Positioning System to locate and contain animals, especially dogs. Sasquatch Pet Beds by Unique Beast of Middleton, Wis., are animal beds resembling the popular Crocs shoe with a removable interior “sock” designed for a small to medium pet to comfortably sleep. Read more about the companies: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=177830 TOP STORIES Wick files bankruptcy; new manufacturer adopts Marshfield Homes brand: Wick Building Systems decision this week to file for bankruptcy won’t affect the company’s choice to permanently close its Marshfield modular-home plant, but the Marshfield Home brand will survive under another manufacturer, according to a letter sent to Marshfield builders this week. Wisconsin Public Service Corp. planning for layoffs, furloughs: Wisconsin Public Service Corp. says layoffs and furloughs are in its future as it deals with a decline in power usage — primarily in the commercial sector. Waukesha Electric gets $10.7M stimulus grant: The U.S. Department of Energy is awarding more than $10.7 million for a demonstration project in Wisconsin that’s expected to help enhance the efficiency and resiliency of the electric grid.
************************************************************ 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) – JohnsonDiversey completes recapitalization
MANUFACTURING (back to top)
LABOR (back to top)
REAL ESTATE (back to top) – Energy-producing apartments in Bay View win zoning OK
AGRIBUSINESS (back to top) – Rep. Danou Proposes Bill to Allow Sales of Raw Milk
TRANSPORTATION (back to top) – Milwaukee: 8,000 sign petition to save Hoan Bridge – Midwest Airlines receives top Zagat rating for 8th time
RETAIL (back to top) – Erik Buell starts motorcycle race shop – Wal-Mart Wisconsin pricing won’t be same as national on Black Friday
REGULATION (back to top)
TOURISM (back to top)
UTILITIES (back to top)
FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top) – AnchorBank hires executive for banking operations PRESS RELEASES (back to top) For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82 |
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