From WisBusiness.com …
— Miniature Precision Components Inc. in Prairie du Chien has filed notice with the state about approximately 100 layoffs on or around April 17.
See the state filing: http://www.wisbusiness.com/1008/090216mpc.pdf
— A “Coalition Against New Taxes” is already voicing its opposition to expanding the sales tax to professional or business services in case Gov. Jim Doyle proposes a base-broadening move in his budget address today.
The group is comprised of 19 organizations, including the State Bar, the Wisconsin Grocers Association Inc., Wisconsin Independent Businesses Inc. and the Wisconsin Newspaper Association.
“The coalition wants to educate the public and policy makers on the devastating economic impact of any proposal that would expand the sales tax to professional and business services,” said Bill G. Smith, state director of the National Federation of Independent Businesses.
See the release: http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=149285
— Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce is running a radio ad campaign to oppose combined reporting.
The spot says Madison lawmakers are rushing to increase business taxes by more than $200 million in the middle of a recession, which will make things worse. The narrator says it will result in fewer jobs, which means fewer resources for communities to pay for things like schools and roads.
The narrator urges listeners to call their legislators to oppose the move.
“Don’t raise taxes on employers in a recession. Our families need jobs,” the narrator says.
WMC isn’t targeting specific lawmakers with its new radio ads, but it would be easy to change the ads and “move in a different direction,” spokesman Jim Pugh said.
*Listen to the ad: http://www.wmc.org/PDFfiles/Audio/WorkingMom60.mp3
*See the WMC release: http://wmc.informz.net/wmc/archives/archive_241848.html
— The Institute for Wisconsin’s Future has a study out arguing combined reporting will provide a level playing field for Wisconsin businesses.
The report from the Dem-leaning group argues there are multiple benefits to combined reporting, including increasing state revenue by more than $200 million through mid-2011 — money that could help pay for essential public programs now at risk.
Read the report: http://www.wisconsinsfuture.org/publications/taxes/IWF_combined%20reporting_Feb09.pdf
— Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced today that his office has reached settlements with some of the defendants in the state’s consumer protection lawsuit alleging deceptive practices in connection with the marketing program known as the National Energy Rebate Fund, or NERF.
The state’s lawsuit was brought against Kool View Co., Inc., of McFarland, Wisconsin, and its owner, Alan Anderson, and the National Rebate Fund, Inc. and its owner, Timothy Stubbs, along with two employees—Matthew Stubbs and Dan Golden—all of Grand Junction, Colorado.
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REGISTER NOW: FOCUS ON MIDWEST ENERGY CONFERENCE II
Feb. 23, 2009 at Monona Terrace in Madison
Conference includes: U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin; Obama environmental adviser Howard Learner; Gary Mar, Alberta’s official representative to the United States; and David K. Owens, executive vice president of business operations at the Edison Electric Institute. For more information, see a recent press release: http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=147100
Sponsors for this event include Xcel Energy, American Transmission Company, Virchow, Krause & Company, the Wisconsin Petroleum Council, Alliant Energy and Dominion. The government of Canada and Wisconsin Environmental Initiative are event partners.
The event is open to the public. Individual tickets cost $75 each. Tables are available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis at a cost of $600. Student discounts also will be available. The ticket price includes food.
For more information or to register, contact Jim Greer at 608-237-6296 or greer@wispolitics.com.
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Press Releases
· Catholic Knights: Forms national partnership with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to serve the poor
· Dept. of Commerce: Make Mine a Million $ Business Race to launch in Wisconsin
· RedPrairie: Helps businesses to take the sting out of new duty legislation
· Resilient Technologies LLC: Former Cooper Tire President joins Resilient Technologies’ Board of Directors
· TDS: Praises Congressional passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82
TOP STORIES
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Commission OKs Nestle expansion site plan: Nestle’s planned expansion took a step forward Monday night. The Eau Claire Plan Commission approved a site plan with city staff recommendations on a 6-0 vote. Commission members Rick Kayser, Dave Duax, Dave FitzGerald, Joseph Seymour, Fred Waedt and Thomas Pearson were present.
http://www.leadertelegram.com/story-news.asp?id=BJ7EJ6JCIFE
Business lobby criticizes Doyle tax plan: Wisconsin’s business community ratcheted up the attacks Monday against a tax increase Gov. Jim Doyle wants to help the state balance its budget. Meanwhile, Doyle prepared to release the rest of his plan to balance the state’s budget today. As is, the budget will be $5.7 billion short by mid-2011.
http://www.leadertelegram.com/story-news.asp?id=BJ7CQ0IRIFE
On board with electronic health data: As President Barack Obama pushes for congressional approval of an economic stimulus package that includes billions of dollars to computerize health records nationwide, several Wisconsin health care providers have already implemented electronic health information exchange systems that are shared between providers to help cut unnecessary medical costs and improve patient care.
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/02/16/story16.html?b=1234760400^1778489
Marinette hopes for Navy contract : Hundreds of jobs could be lost at Marinette Marine Corp. this spring if the shipbuilder doesn’t receive a U.S. Navy contract for the next generation of combat ships. The timing could hardly be worse, as northeastern Wisconsin has suffered large job losses in recent months.
http://www.jsonline.com/business/39693582.html
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WISBUSINESS FEATURED COLUMNISTS
– GREGG HOFFMANN: Contributor, WisBusiness.com
– TOM STILL: President, Wisconsin Technology Council
– JENNIFER SERENO: Senior manager, Wood Communications Group
– STEVE JAGLER: Executive editor, Small Business Times
– TOM BURZINSKI: IT executive and consultant
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TECHNOLOGY (back to top)
– Exploiting social network sites
http://www.htrnews.com/article/20090215/MAN03/902150447/1397
ECONOMY (back to top)
– Despite economy — or because of it — MATC says it needs to grow to meet demand
http://www.madison.com/tct/mad/topstories/438829
– City must move fast on stimulus projects, lobbyist says
http://www.madison.com/tct/top5/438931
– WMC to air opposition to business tax increase
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/02/16/daily12.html
MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– Does the United States make anything anymore?
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20090216/OSH03/90216166/1167
SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– 2009 Make Mine a Million $ Business Race spotlights female business owners
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/438890
INVESTING (back to top)
– Illinois Tool Works, Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. parent, declares dividend
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20090217/APC03/902170490/1028
REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– Fox Valley home foreclosures stack up
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20090217/APC0101/902170491/1979
– Health club, apartment project to go before commission again
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/438696
– Alexander Co. willing to sell community garden land to Fitchburg
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/438888
AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– Health-minded eaters a boon for bison farms
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090217/GPG03/902170475/1247
– CA Farmer to Address State Holstein Breeders About TB Case
http://www.wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=203&yr=2009
TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
– The state of freight: Diversification of customer base has insulated rail carrier Wisconsin & Southern during downturn
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/438454
RETAIL (back to top)
– Grand Avenue Carlton Cards shop closing
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/02/16/daily7.html
– More green fills Outpost’s till
http://www.jsonline.com/business/39693592.html
– Kohl’s tops consumer satisfaction survey
http://www.jsonline.com/business/39693597.html
TOURISM (back to top)
– Sturgeon spearing economy strong
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20090217/OSH0101/902170428&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL
UTILITIES (back to top)
– Most Madison stations will switch to digital-only broadcast signals Tuesday
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/438834
HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– ProHealth Care donates $100,000 to help meet United Way challenge
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/02/16/daily5.html
FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– Avoid the COBRA: Health insurance options available
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20090217/APC03/902170484/1028
– Baylake will report loss on real estate woes
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/02/16/daily14.html
– PNC execs receive bonuses
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/02/16/daily11.html
MANAGEMENT (back to top)
– Manitowoc CEO Tellock named chairman
http://www.jsonline.com/business/39663322.html
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