— Rep. Jimmy Anderson is circulating legislation that would require employers to include information on pay and benefits in job listings.
The Fitchburg Dem recently sent out a co-sponsorship memo for the bill, which he says will help ensure the state job market remains competitive.
“If companies truly believe their salaries are industry-competitive, they ought to have no qualms about posting them up front to entice workers,” he wrote in the memo. “Keeping salaries shrouded in secrecy serves no purpose other than to try to keep salary ranges obscure- and lower.”
Under the bill, employers would have to include in any listing for job vacancies or employment opportunities the salary or hourly wages, or a range for those figures, that they would offer to the person filling the position. According to a Legislative Reference Bureau analysis, job listings would have to include any other benefits or compensation for the role as well.
Employers would also need to keep records of job listings and associated wages, salary and benefits for at least two years after the position is filled. If it’s passed into law, any violations would result in a fine of at least $500 and no more than $10,000 per violation.
In his message to other lawmakers, Anderson says highly qualified applicants often go through the process of applying for jobs before finding out “extremely late” that the salary is insufficient based on their skills and experience.
“Not only does this help prospective employees, but it also helps current employees understand what the current salary bands are for new hires so that they can use this information as a negotiation tool if and when they need to advocate for their own compensation needs,” Anderson wrote.
The co-sponsorship deadline is noon Dec. 14.
See the memo: https://www.wisconsinlobbyists.com/resources/Co-Sponsorship%20Memos/12.1.2023/LRB-2693%20Salary%20transparency%20Memo.pdf
— The capital cost for treating PFAS contamination in public water systems and other water supplies in the state is estimated at $208 million, according to a report from a state conservation group.
Wisconsin’s Green Fire on Friday released a report on the impacts of PFAS in Wisconsin. Per-and poly fluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as “forever chemicals,” have been linked to various human health problems and environmental concerns.
The report builds on five years of PFAS research conducted by the Rhinelander-based nonprofit organization, according to a release. WGF Executive Director Meleesa Johnson in a statement touted the group’s “extensive team of subject matter experts and research scientists” and their work to better understand PFAS.
The organization says upcoming federal drinking water standards “are likely to be significantly more restrictive” than existing Wisconsin standards, covering a wider array of compounds.
“Wisconsin drinking water standards will need to be modified to be at least as restrictive as federal standards and include the same contaminants,” report authors wrote.
The report notes Wisconsin adopted surface water quality standards and drinking water standards of 70 parts per trillion for two PFAS compounds: PFOA and PFOS. Because the use of these chemicals in manufacturing was banned in 2016, they’re considered “legacy” PFAS chemicals, report authors noted.
“Although PFOS and PFOA are important contaminants to address, the current standards are still incomplete and not sufficient to protect public health,” they wrote.
The report also argues state and federal agencies’ processes for setting standards for specific contaminants is too slow, and therefore can’t “effectively” address the risks of PFAS in the environment. Wisconsin’s Green Fire is calling for new approaches to this process, such as regulating PFAS collectively as a class of chemicals based on the composition of a chemical called fluorine.
See the report: https://wigreenfire.org/2019/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/WGF_2023_OppsNow_PFAS_2.0-digital.pdf
See the release: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/wgf-new-opportunities-now-paper-on-pfas-in-wisconsin-waters/
— Wisconsin airports are set to receive $38 million in federal infrastructure funding, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin announced.
More than 80 different airports in the state are listed in the Madison Dem’s release, which notes funding will go toward new runways, taxiways, safety and sustainability efforts, terminal upgrades and more.
Baldwin in a statement underlined the economic importance of these travel hubs.
“These resources will help our airports across the state increase efficiency, improve safety, and ensure our airports can welcome new passengers for years to come,” she said.
The funding pool is broken down by region, including $5.5 million for the state’s northern region, $8.2 million for the northeastern region, $4.4 million for the western region, $8.1 million for the southern region and $12.1 million for the southeastern region.
Some of the largest awards include $8.6 million for General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, $4.9 million for Dane County Regional/Truax Field Airport in Madison, and $2.8 million for Green Bay/Austin Straubel International Airport.
Funding comes from the Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Grants program, according to Baldwin’s release.
See the full list of airports getting funding: https://www.wispolitics.com/2023/u-s-sen-baldwin-delivers-over-38-million-to-improve-airports-in-wisconsin/
— Reince Priebus, chair of Milwaukee’s Host Committee ahead of the 2024 Republican National Convention, says fundraising efforts are “ahead of where we need to be” in raising $68 million before next summer.
“I helped run the convention in Cleveland in 2016,” Priebus said on WISN’s “UpFront,” which is produced in partnership with WisPolitics. “That was actually the last Republican convention that happened in person. I ran Tampa. I think we’re doing better than any host committee I can remember on fundraising.”
Priebus, a Wisconsin native, former chairman of the Republican National Committee and chief of staff to former President Donald Trump, wouldn’t reveal an exact figure during a visit last week in Milwaukee.
“I spend every day on the phone raising money,” he said. “It’s constant. If I’m driving up here from the airport I’m on the phone with someone or an entity trying to talk to them about the convention. It’s a nonstop effort.”
Priebus says Wisconsin-based companies such as Northwestern Mutual, We Energies, Kohl’s and Johnson Controls have already committed to the effort and also did so when Milwaukee was scheduled to host the Democratic National Convention in 2020.
The effort, he said though, is a contrast to his previous efforts raising money for the Republican National Committee.
“I think it’s a little harder,” he said. “The one good thing is it’s tax-deductible because it’s a bipartisan effort. I know I’m a partisan person, but in this role this is about Milwaukee and Wisconsin bringing in this economic impact, so we’ve got Democrats and Republicans working together.”
Priebus said “anything’s possible” ahead of the primary season kicking off in January, yet acknowledged Trump’s lead in the polls. He also rebuffed criticism targeting RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel from some GOP candidates.
“Ronna does all the fundamentals that needs to be done,” Priebus said. “Some of this criticism about money and spending, the RNC has to spend money all the time, so yes absolutely, she’s where she needs to be.”
See more from the show: https://www.wisn.com/upfront
<br><b><i>Top headlines from the Health Care Report…</b></i>
— ThedaCare has opened a new retail pharmacy at its Neenah campus as part of an ongoing $100 million modernization effort.
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#TOP STORIES#
# UW-Madison in trademark fight with Texas economist
# Black Rose Blending makes a home for hopheads, wine lovers and artists
# Mission: Fix Ascension Wisconsin
#TOPICS#
# AGRIBUSINESS
– WI farm bureau names Angotti-Baum district coordinator
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=1044&yr=2023
– USDA VAPG: $1.3M awarded to 6 WI businesses
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=1045&yr=2023
# ECONOMY
– What Wisconsin’s changing housing market means for buyers, sellers
# EDUCATION
– Extension initiatives recognized for Growing Together with community gardening
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=1046&yr=2023
– WCTC to start offering two-year degrees focused on AI
# FOOD AND BEVERAGE
– Madison’s first kava bar, Rooted In Sanity, to open on Atwood Avenue
– Why Fermentorium closed its North Avenue taproom. What’s next?
# LABOR
– Unions in Wisconsin sue to reverse collective bargaining restrictions on teachers and more
# MANUFACTURING
– Harley-Davidson-inspired electric bike spinoff sold to Florida manufacturer
# POLITICS
– Wisconsin proposal would give tax breaks to businesses that help their workers afford child care
# REAL ESTATE
– Iron Horse Hotel owner and lender strike deal to resolve bankruptcy
# RETAIL
– Here’s the real origin story of Farm & Fleet and Fleet Farm
# TECHNOLOGY
– New investment in broadband expansion ‘an equalizing opportunity’ for state’s rural communities
– UW-Madison grads create Happy Scratch to help pets fight allergies
# UTILITIES
– Rising electric, gas bills harshest for those least able to go green
– WEC Energy subsidiary files emergency motion after regulators halt $8B Chicago project
– Transmission firm wins regulatory approval for $91M project, acquisition
# PRESS RELEASES
<i>See these and other press releases:
https://www.wisbusiness.com/press-releases/ </i>
