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This Week's News - August 16, 2010
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Free Speech Victory
In the face of multiple lawsuits, the Government
Accountability Board (GAB) agreed not to enforce new regulations on political
speech in Wisconsin. The GAB had proposed registration and reporting
requirements for anyone engaged in issue advocacy involving candidates
for public office, 30 days prior to an election. The lawsuits allege that
the new regulations violate the Constitution, are contrary to recent U.S.
Supreme Court decisions regarding political speech, and are not
authorized under state statutes. The cases are pending in both state and
federal court, and a final resolution of the matter is expected shortly.
Related Material:
State agrees to drop new campaign ad
rules (Milwaukee
Journal Sentinel)
WMC Staff Contact: James Buchen
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WMC Testifies on Costly
Phosphorous Rule
The Senate Environment
Committee recently held a public hearing on an expensive rule
targeting phosphorous discharges from industrial and municipal wastewater treatment
facilities. The rule is expected to cost municipalities between $1.3 and
$4.2 billion, which will be passed along to all water ratepayers in the
form of higher fees. In addition, dozens of manufacturers will face higher
costs to comply with the rule, which could total more than $400 million
according to DNR estimates. (MORE)
WMC Staff Contact:
Scott Manley
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WMC Calls on PSC to Stop Milwaukee Water
Rate Increase for Businesses
The Milwaukee Water Works has asked the Wisconsin Public
Service Commission for a water rate increase. The utility is arguing that
because water use has been declining, higher rates are warranted. Under the
utility's suggested new rates, water rates for large industrial customers
would go up roughly 28 percent. WMC, joined by the Metropolitan Milwaukee
Association of Commerce and the Midwest Food Processors Association,
recently asked the Wisconsin Public Service Commission, instead, to lower
rates for industrial customers in order to attract new employees to
Milwaukee and, in the long run, increase revenues for Milwaukee Water Works
by boosting consumption.
The Wisconsin Public Service Commission is reviewing the
rate-increase request and, if it is granted, how increases are allocated
among water customers.
Related Material:
WMC
Milwaukee Water Works Comments
Water
rate increases revised (Milwaukee
Journal Sentinel)
Suburbs
testify against water rate hikes at hearing (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
WMC Staff Contact: R.J. Pirlot
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Labor
and Employment Relations Alert
The National Association of Manufacturers, along with scores of other trade
associations including WMC, expressed
opposition to HR 5663 that expands penalties for workplace safety
violations, including criminal penalties in some circumstances. The law
firm of Michael Best and Friedrich has provided a complete analysis
of the bill's components.
Related Material:
Joint
Letter of Opposition
Employers
Beware: Broad OSHA Reform Hidden in Mine Safety and Health Bill (Michael Best and Friedrich
Analysis)
WMC Staff Contact: John Metcalf
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Repeal 1099 Provision in Obamacare: Sign
U.S. Chamber Letter
From the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce: "Of all the hidden costs now being discovered in the health
care bill, one of the most concerning to the business community is Section 9006,
which would place an unprecedented burden on small business reporting and
paperwork requirements. This section includes a provision that requires
businesses to file 1099 tax returns starting in 2012 for many purchases.
It's bad news for all businesses, especially smaller ones. Urge
Congress to co-sponsor the Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act
, which would repeal this provision, and add
your organization's name to the business community's letter to
Congress.
Why the 1099 Provision
is Bad News for Business:
- Businesses of all sizes will be required to report
on each vendor for all purchases totaling over $600 annually, which
will dramatically increase accounting costs and time-consuming
paperwork burdens.
- The exemption for purchases from
corporations will be lifted, and expanded
to property (goods), as well as services.
- At a time when our economy needs small businesses
to help our country grow out of this recession, saddling them with
expensive new requirements and paperwork burdens only further hampers
their ability to succeed and ultimately aid in our economic
recovery."
Related Material:
Health
Care Toolkit
Watch the webcast of Behind the Curtain: The Health
Care Law's Impact on Small Business
WMC
Staff Contact: R.J.
Pirlot
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U.S. Chamber Creates New Website to Help
Employers Understand Obamacare Implementation
From the U.S. Chamber: "There are still many unanswered
questions about the impact of the new health care law on employers, their workers,
and their families. To help address some
of these concerns, the Chamber launched a new
website to serve as a centralized location for the business community
to learn about the implementation of the new law and to share their
perspectives on how it impacts their businesses. On the site, business
owners can access studies, timelines, media reports, and information
provided by other business owners. In addition, it provides an opportunity
for business owners to share their stories and perspectives on the new
law."
Related Material:
U.S.
Chamber Health Care Reform Impacts Website
WMC
Staff Contact: R.J.
Pirlot
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Conference and Program Update
Click here for more information on the
programs listed below, and to view a listing
of upcoming WMC sponsored events that can provide exceptional
benefits to WMC members.
Upcoming Events Include:
Behavioral
Screening and Intervention (BSI): Join the
Wisconsin Safety Council and WIPHL, in this breakfast symposium that
addresses BSI, and the benefits
that lower healthcare costs and improves employee productivity. Register
today to attend this FREE full breakfast Symposium!
August 25, 2010 – Fox Valley
August 27, 2010 – Wausau
September 10, 2010 – Milwaukee
September 14, 2010 – Madison
ExporTech: A new program to
help small and midsize manufacturers develop an export program and
fast-track international sales.
September 16th, 2010 -- Bentley World
Packaging, Ltd, Milwaukee
October 12, 2010 -- Bentley World
Packaging, Ltd, Milwaukee
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WMC
Member Savings
Click
here for more information on the WMC member saving programs listed
below.
MRA
Surveys
OfficeMax
Discounts for WMC Members
Discounts
on Training: Lorman Education Services
Updated
Business Lists Now Available From WMC and Harris
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