The mission of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) is to encourage business development, job creation and capital investment. MMAC represents nearly 1,800 member businesses in this effort – 90% of which are small businesses with fewer than 300 employees. Small businesses are responsible for an overwhelming percentage – around 82% – of job creation. Simply put, small businesses are vital to Wisconsin’s economy and creating a better environment for them ensures a more prosperous future for the Milwaukee Region and Wisconsin.
To advance the success of small business, MMAC’s Council of Small Business Executives (COSBE) has developed the following targeted public policy agenda. These initiatives, we believe, would have a positive impact on the future success of not only our small businesses, but all our citizens.
Ensuring a Quality Workforce
- Educational Improvement Tax Credit
Provide a tax credit for corporate contributions providing private school scholarships to low income children or educational improvement organizations supporting innovative programs in public schools.
A Level Playing Field for Small Business
- State Non-Compete Protections
Create and enforce limits on state government operations providing the same service or product in competition with private sector businesses.
- Timely Payment Requirements
Create a 60-day time limit for the state of Wisconsin to pay private businesses under contract with them for products or services.
III. Labor Law Reform
- Class Action Lawsuit Reform
Amend Wisconsin class action statute to mirror Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23.
- Level Playing Field for Labor Law
Systematically amend all Wisconsin labor regulations to ensure that they are not inconsistent with corresponding federal laws, including independent contractor definitions, workman’s compensation and unemployment compensation.
- Right to Work
Prohibit making membership in a union or payment of union dues a condition of employment.
IV. Taxes
- Capital Gains Tax Cut
Repeal capital gains tax hike approved last session (restore the 60% cap gains tax exemption) and pursue further cuts in the Wisconsin capital gains tax rate.
- Lower Individual Income Tax Rate
Many small businesses are taxed via the individual income tax. Income tax rate relief is small business tax relief.