Public Policy Agenda Download a PDF of the full 2010-2012 Blueprint for Economic Prosperity (1,714 KB) You spoke, We listened. Through extensive interviews, written responses and online surveys with our members, we received a candid assessment of the challenges facing the Milwaukee Region, and what you think it's going to take to improve our business climate.  Eighty-five percent of these responses came from the CEO or business owner.  Top concerns are: Burdensome taxes and regulations Anti-business sentiment from elected officials Inadequate education and workforce development Limited prospects for economic growth Need for more community leadership  And we are taking action. This critical feedback drives MMAC's agenda for improving the region's prosperity. It was clear from your input that if we are to separate ourselves from the competition we have real work to do.  This tough assessment is rooted in the belief that the Milwaukee Region boasts some real assets, including livability, workforce quality, manufacturing base and prime location. Our agenda builds off these strengths and addresses our challenges. Our response is to take action through the Blueprint for Economic Prosperity.

Small Business Legislative Agenda   To advance public policy issues of specific interest to small business, the Council of Small Business Executives (COSBE) has developed a small business legislative agenda.  To view  the current framework, click here >>

2010-2012 Agenda

For more details -- including the 2007-2009 Results -- please click on each subjects below.

Taxes and Regulatory Climate

Fight efforts to appeal the court ruling overturning Milwaukee's Paid Sick Leave Mandate.

Review our tax structure and propose specific changes that will foster growth while supporting state and local services.

Repeal $215 million combined reporting tax, which impacts our key export industries.

Repeal the capital gains tax increase that cuts the exclusion from 60% to 30%, costing Wisconsin investors $242 million.

Repeal the $287 million personal income tax increase, which raises our already-high tax burden.

 

Education and Workforce

Increase funding for both Choice and Charter schools and reverse cuts on Choice schools that puts them at risk.

Support efforts to adopt federal "Race to the Top" standards including:

• Common standards and assessment.
• A system that provides timely reports on student performance.
• Elimination of any legal barrier to evaluating teachers and principals based on student achievement.
• Authority to intervene in struggling schools.

Explore a change in MPS governance that moves authority to the Milwaukee Mayor's office.

Reform MPS benefit structure to improve the District's fiscal condition.

Add a business leader to the MATC board -- an important link to workforce training.

Implement changes that were made to the State Workforce Training System at the local level, increasing dollars directed at training and creating stronger linkages between K-12 education, technical colleges and employers.

Infrastructure

Block the use of state budget funds earmarked for transportation to balance other parts of the state budget.

Accelerate the rebuilding of the Zoo Interchange and proactively address the vital Hoan Bridge connection.

Dedicate sales tax funding for mass transit and remove transit from the property tax.

Lift the state moratorium on nuclear power plants to give the state access to a cost-effective mix of power sources.

Oppose federal legislation that puts Wisconsin at a competitive disadvantage by creating a cap and trade system on carbon emissions.

 

Health Care

Exempt health savings accounts from state taxation.

Reform medical malpractice system to reduce costs associated with defensive medicine.

Create legislation to guarantee access to transparent health care cost and quality information.

Achieve "Well City" status for Milwaukee by 2010.

Create tax incentives for wellness and chronic disease management expenditures.

 

Accelerating Economic Development

Survey FUEL Milwaukee's members to benchmark perceptions of Milwaukee's image and introduce a "Meet Milwaukee" program to promote the region.

To improve our ability to attract and retain talent, create measurements to define Milwaukee's "contemporary employers."

Build on initial success of Immigrant Investor Zone by attracting 100+ new investors ($50 million in new capital).

Add six corporations to the Supplier Diversity Module and increase their spending with minority participants by 10%.

 

Milwaukee 7 Partnership

Expand efforts to attract companies by executing new marketing and lead generation programs targeted to specific industries.

Continue the Regional Call Program to contact local employers and proactively address issues and facilitate expansion plans.

Increase state incentive tools for the expansion, retention and attraction of new jobs that are aligned with industry clusters exporting goods and services.

Deliver project wins that generate 2,000 new or retained jobs.

Kick off the second round of Milwaukee 7 fundraising with a goal of $7 million for the 2010-2015 funding campaign.