New year, new challenges

Opportunities abound but plenty of work on tap

By Dale Kooyenga, MMAC President

​This year the Nobel Prize was awarded to the authors of a compelling book titled “Why Nations Fail,” one that I enjoyed earlier in my career. The authors researched why the same people in the same climate and similar environments realize drastically different economic, health and overall community success. They looked at East Berlin versus West Berlin, North Korea versus South Korea, Nogales, Ariz., versus Nogales, Mexico. I could go on, but you get the idea. The reason for substantially different outcomes – it’s the strength of the institutions that keep their communities engaged in government and engaged with each other. 

As I complete my first year as president of MMAC following Tim Sheehy’s 31 years of leadership, I’ve reflected on the nature of institutions, the purpose of MMAC and what we can collectively do with this remarkable institution that’s been connecting people, shaping public policy and doing so much more since 1861.

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In 2024 we had some major wins. Eli Lilly and Microsoft, for example, will invest over $6 billion in our region. The fruits of our legislative success in Madison are being implemented, including the addition of police officers in Milwaukee corresponding with a noticeable decrease in crime. The infamous Milwaukee County and City of Milwaukee pension plans are frozen. The city will be home to the Milwaukee Brewers for decades to come.
 
We’re not sitting around and celebrating our success. There’s work to do and it requires an institution with the ability to engage an entire community in important issues that still need to be addressed.
 
Our region is facing demographic challenges, so we need more from our city’s schools. It’s not only an economic necessity, it’s also our business community being a good neighbor and steward of our most important resource – the next generation. Our city’s schoolchildren are starving for success. With some of the lowest test scores in the country, we’ve endured a sustained malaise for some time. The good news - we now have an opportunity to make real change for our students. MMAC has an aggressive education agenda and I encourage you to check it out. 
 
Stemming the outflow of residents from our city is integral to growing our economy. We need to keep and attract talent. We applaud Mayor Cavalier Johnson for his audacious goal of increasing our city’s population to 1 million. Providing more affordable and accessible housing is one way to do that. Johnson and city staff have the right idea in changing stifling zoning regulations to allow for more residents. If the people aren’t here, our economy is sure to suffer.
 
In Madison, legislators will map out the state’s priorities through its biannual budget process this year. Relative to other states, Wisconsin has made significant strides in the tax burden on our residents and businesses – well below national levels – and has also seen its spending drop. With nearly $5 billion in budget surplus, we at the MMAC will work with legislators in continuing the momentum to make sure our state moves even closer to ensuring our cost of living and doing business enhances livability and continues to make Wisconsin attractive to those looking to make a move.
 
This institution, MMAC, doesn’t exist without your involvement and we thank you for that. You’re part of an institution that has shaped our remarkable region for well over a hundred years and will continue to do so in an exciting 2025.