ADVOCACY & PUBLIC POLICY

Our strategic advocacy powers your business

When government policies affect your bottom line, MMAC fights for your interests – from city hall to the state capitol to Washington D.C. While you focus on running your business, our team of policy experts tackle complex regulatory challenges; champion tax reforms; and advances initiatives that directly impact your ability to grow and compete.

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Latest news

  • Skyline

MMAC announces additions to its Board of Directors

September 19, 2025|Comments Off on MMAC announces additions to its Board of Directors

The MMAC Board of Directors approved seven new members this week. These influential leaders represent businesses from across the region and industrial spectrum – from manufacturing to finance. The incoming board members include Peter Arduini, [...]

Kooyenga: Federal disaster aid welcomed by area businesses, residents

September 12, 2025|Comments Off on Kooyenga: Federal disaster aid welcomed by area businesses, residents

Milwaukee Repertory Theater's 30,000-square-foot production is shown above. The facility was hit with massive flooding on Aug. 10. Assessed losses are in the millions of dollars. MMAC President Dale Kooyenga provided the below [...]

Kooyenga: Evers’ stance on fed tax credits for choice education premature

September 9, 2025|Comments Off on Kooyenga: Evers’ stance on fed tax credits for choice education premature

Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) President Dale Kooyenga provided the following thoughts after the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on statements made by Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers indicating he would not opt in to recently [...]

YOUR VOICE MATTERS.

LOCAL

We help make the Milwaukee region affordable for both businesses and their employees by providing a voice on local policies that impact all.

STATE

Our state legislative agenda supports policies that spur job creation and improve the health and prosperity of Wisconsin’s economy.

FEDERAL

We advocate for smart federal policies that support employers, nurture entrepreneurship and add to the sustained success of our region.

MMAC’s

2025 priorities

Explore how MMAC helps drive your business success.

Wisconsin’s biennial budget process provides a critical opportunity to shape policies that directly impact your business success. Our priorities reflect the most pressing needs of our business community and target specific policy changes that will strengthen your ability to operate, grow and thrive.

TALENT

We’re collaborating to develop, retain, advance and attract the talent employers need to thrive – today and for generations to come.
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GROWTH

We’re fueling growth by facilitating corporate expansion, attraction and entrepreneurship here.
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LIVABILITY

We’re investing in and supporting civic assets that make our region a special place to live, work, play and learn.
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A winning

Track record

Our advocacy during the latest biennial budget delivered significant cost savings and competitive advantages for your business. Here’s how our recent successes directly benefit your operations:

  • The increased state-shared revenue means more local services without additional business tax burden.
  • By eliminating the personal property tax, we’ve reduced your annual tax obligations and simplified your accounting.
  • Our new data center sales tax exemption makes Wisconsin more attractive for tech investment and expansion, potentially reducing your IT infrastructure costs.

By increasing funding for choice and charter schools, we’re expanding the talent pipeline that feeds your business. This investment helps create a larger, better-prepared workforce ready to meet your future hiring needs.

  • We preserved the manufacturing and agriculture tax credit, protecting a vital tool that keeps your production costs competitive.
  • The enhanced R&D tax credit provides more financial support for your innovation efforts, helping you develop new products and improve processes while reducing your tax burden.

Securing Major League Baseball in Milwaukee through 2050 with the American Family Field lease renewal strengthens our region’s ability to attract and retain top talent. This amenity helps you recruit skilled professionals who want to live and work in a major league city.

Support policymakers looking out for your business

Strategic political investment

As a business leader, you need allies who understand and champion your priorities in government.
The MMAC provides two powerful ways to strengthen your voice in policy decisions that affect your bottom line:

Our Conduit program gives you personal control over your political contributions while leveraging MMAC’s policy expertise.

Our Political Action Committee (PAC) pools resources from the business community to support candidates who demonstrate a clear understanding of business needs.

Both tools help ensure policymakers understand and act on the practical challenges you face in running your business. Your participation strengthens our ability to shape policies that directly affect your operations, growth potential and competitive position.

Protect your business interests.

2023-24

legislative scorecard

MMAC’s annual scorecard evaluates how well the votes of state elected officials represented the priorities of the MMAC in the past legislative session.

​The key bills included were chosen because of their policy significance and relationship to our public policy agenda. A brief description of the legislation is included, as well as a vote-by-vote record for each legislator. These officials work for you — their constituents — understanding their voting record helps you make informed decisions about who best represents your business interests.

Andrew Davis

MMAC Vice President of Governmental Affairs 414/287-4141

JJ Sherman

Director of Governmental Affairs 414/287-4142

If you have questions or wish to discuss political giving further, do not hesitate to reach to our governmental affairs team.