Public Policy Agenda

>> Download the 2010-2012 Blueprint for Economic Prosperity PDF

2010-2012 Agenda

For more details -- including 2007-2009 results on our objectives -- please click on the 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 put 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 Milwaukee Area Technical College (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 Wisconsin 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.