(WisBusiness) TUES News Summary — 10 Mar. 2009

From WisBusiness.com …

— Hiring plans for American companies are at their weakest point since the 1982 recession, according to the seasonally adjusted results of the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey. The survey, conducted quarterly by Manpower Inc., shows U.S. employers are projecting a considerably slower hiring pace for the second quarter of 2009.

“A significant number of employers surveyed anticipate ‘no change’ in their employment intentions for the upcoming quarter,” said Jeffrey A. Joerres, chairman and CEO of Manpower Inc. “This tells us that in this difficult economic environment, employers are attempting to manage the tension between generating a profit and maintaining their workforce infrastructure.”

Of the 31,800 employers surveyed, 15 percent anticipate an increase in their staff levels during the second quarter, while 14 percent expect a decrease in their payrolls. Sixty-seven percent of employers surveyed expect no change in their April – June hiring plans. Another 4 percent are undecided about their hiring intentions for the second quarter of 2009.

See details: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.Iml?Article=151650

— Wisconsin’s exports increased by 11.8 percent to a $20.6 billion in 2008, according to new state figures. Wisconsin now ranks as the 18th-largest exporting state, compared to its 21st largest rank in 2006. Since Governor Doyle took office, exports have increased by 92 percent.

See more: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=151597

— New polling shows likely state voters have a dim view of the future economy.

A poll done late last month shows only 37 percent of Wisconsinites surveyed feel the economy will be better one year from now and 17 percent think the economic situation will be even worse in the next 12 months.

The poll also shows a mixed view of the federal stimulus package that will bring billions of dollars into the state.

A slim majority believes the package will help … but nearly the same percentage of respondents believe the package spends too much money. Overall 64 percent of those surveyed say the economy is the single most important problem facing them. That’s far ahead of health care — 15 percent — and taxes — 6 percent.

The survey of 500 likely voters in Wisconsin was conducted in late February by Public Opinion Strategies out of metro D.C. The poll was done for a new conservative think tank called the MacIver Institute.

See details: http://www.wisbusiness.com/1008/090309MacIverEconomy.pdf

— Wisconsin had a sizable contingent present for the White House signing ceremony marking the end of restrictions on stem cell research funding. President Obama signed the executive order Monday morning, allowing increased federal money for the controversial research.

U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, and UW-Madison Professor James Thomson, who pioneered the isolation of human embryonic stem cells more than 10 years ago, attended the East Room ceremony.

Thomson said the move “removes a stigma that has discouraged many bright young people from embarking on careers in stem cell research.”

He added: “We have many unanswered questions, and the only way to realize the full potential of embryonic stem cells and other types of stem cells is a level playing field and unfettered inquiry. … We are grateful to President Obama for the courage of his decision as well as for the broad bipartisan support our work has received in Washington.”

As many as four other UW researchers and officials were invited to attend as well, including: UW Medical School professors Tim Kamp and Clive Svendsen (who co-direct the university’s Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center); UW Medical School senior scientist and National Stem Cell Bank Director Derek Hei, and UW law professor Alta Charo, an adviser to the president on bioethics issues. A UW spokesman said he believed all four attended the ceremony.

See more: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.Iml?Article=151554

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HOW THE FEDERAL STIMULUS AFFECTS WISCONSIN, WITH GARY WOLTER

Thursday, MARCH 12, 2009

11:45 a.m. at the Madison Club

The event is open to the public, and the price for lunch is $15 for WisPolitics.com subscribers and Madison Club members, $19 for the general public. Call the Madison Club to register at (608) 255-4861. The luncheons start at 11:45 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m.

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