Our state has been hit hard by the economic recession, losing more than 160,000 jobs. We all know someone - a friend, relative, or neighbor - that has lost a job through no fault of their own. It must be the top priority of your state government to take action to improve Wisconsin's economy.
However, so far during the 2009 legislative session, the Democrat-controlled Wisconsin State Legislature actually has enacted measures that do just the opposite. Despite my staunch opposition, Democrats in the Legislature and Governor Jim Doyle already have approved nearly $5 billion in tax and fee increases. The recently enacted state budget actually increased spending by more than 6 percent.
Families and small businesses across the state cannot afford to send so much of their hard earned money to the government in Madison. Simply expanding the size of government and increasing taxes will not put Wisconsin's economy on the road to recovery.
In fact, there were two reports announced recently that exemplify not only the negative impact the state budget has had on our state, but also highlights the fact that we need to act quickly and decisively to reverse our current path. Both the Washington, D.C.-based Tax Foundation and Forbes Magazine reported Wisconsin as one of the worst states to do business. The Tax Foundation ranked Wisconsin as the ninth worst, while Forbes Magazine's annual report of "The Best States for Business" ranked Wisconsin's business climate the third worst at 48th among the 50 states (only Michigan and Rhode Island were worse). These reports should act as a wakeup call to the Legislature, and should result in immediate action to implement job-creating policies.
Therefore, the Republicans in the State Assembly recently announced our new jobs-focused agenda known as the WI Jobs NOW Agenda. The legislation and policies in this package focus on making changes now, instead of years down the road. By targeting job-killing tax increases for elimination, removing red tape, and pushing up the effective date of tax credits, we can achieve the goal of keeping jobs in Wisconsin and rebuilding our economy for the 21st century. Specifically, the provisions included in the agenda are:
• Jobs Tax Credit: The tax credit was included in the state budget but is not scheduled to go into effect until next year and cannot be claimed until 2012. We can't wait that long to create jobs, so this bill moves up the start date to provide businesses with an incentive to create jobs immediately (AB 477).
• Recruit & Retain Jobs: This bill requires the Department of Commerce to report on steps it is taking to retain jobs, attract new jobs to Wisconsin, and respond quickly and strongly to businesses looking to relocate. This was included in the state budget by Republicans, but was vetoed by Governor Doyle (AB 476).
• Small Business Expense Flexibility: The legislation would double the amount of expenses a small business can write off, meaning less money sent to Madison means more for jobs and payroll (AB 184).
• Health Insurance Flexibility: Wisconsin currently prohibits small businesses from choosing out-of-state health insurance coverage - even if they would save money. This bill would improve competition and expand options for businesses looking to provide quality, affordable health care (LRB 0921).
• Eliminate Budget Tax Increases: This provision would eliminate the $107 million phone tax, $242 million capital gains tax on individuals' savings & investments, and the new $215 million combined reporting tax on job-creators. The combined reporting tax alone has been cited by multiple Wisconsin companies, such as Harley Davidson, Thomas Industries, and Briggs & Stratton, as a contributing factor in cutting hundreds of jobs and moving jobs out of the state (AB 478).
The WI Jobs NOW agenda was developed by going directly to businesses and listening. A Jobs NOW Task force was created earlier this year and toured the state asking employers what they needed to start growing and hiring again. The legislative package includes good ideas from small business owners as to how state government can help our economy move in the right direction again.
This agenda provides many ideas and solutions to our current economic crisis and is a start to helping get our state back on the right track. By eliminating the crippling tax increases and improving the business climate in our state, we can foster economic development and job creation in our state. I will continue to work hard to push for the timely passage of each of these bills to help get our state's economy moving again and bring jobs back to Wisconsin.
- Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, serves the 80th Assembly District, which includes all of Green County and parts of Lafayette, Rock and Dane counties.
However, so far during the 2009 legislative session, the Democrat-controlled Wisconsin State Legislature actually has enacted measures that do just the opposite. Despite my staunch opposition, Democrats in the Legislature and Governor Jim Doyle already have approved nearly $5 billion in tax and fee increases. The recently enacted state budget actually increased spending by more than 6 percent.
Families and small businesses across the state cannot afford to send so much of their hard earned money to the government in Madison. Simply expanding the size of government and increasing taxes will not put Wisconsin's economy on the road to recovery.
In fact, there were two reports announced recently that exemplify not only the negative impact the state budget has had on our state, but also highlights the fact that we need to act quickly and decisively to reverse our current path. Both the Washington, D.C.-based Tax Foundation and Forbes Magazine reported Wisconsin as one of the worst states to do business. The Tax Foundation ranked Wisconsin as the ninth worst, while Forbes Magazine's annual report of "The Best States for Business" ranked Wisconsin's business climate the third worst at 48th among the 50 states (only Michigan and Rhode Island were worse). These reports should act as a wakeup call to the Legislature, and should result in immediate action to implement job-creating policies.
Therefore, the Republicans in the State Assembly recently announced our new jobs-focused agenda known as the WI Jobs NOW Agenda. The legislation and policies in this package focus on making changes now, instead of years down the road. By targeting job-killing tax increases for elimination, removing red tape, and pushing up the effective date of tax credits, we can achieve the goal of keeping jobs in Wisconsin and rebuilding our economy for the 21st century. Specifically, the provisions included in the agenda are:
• Jobs Tax Credit: The tax credit was included in the state budget but is not scheduled to go into effect until next year and cannot be claimed until 2012. We can't wait that long to create jobs, so this bill moves up the start date to provide businesses with an incentive to create jobs immediately (AB 477).
• Recruit & Retain Jobs: This bill requires the Department of Commerce to report on steps it is taking to retain jobs, attract new jobs to Wisconsin, and respond quickly and strongly to businesses looking to relocate. This was included in the state budget by Republicans, but was vetoed by Governor Doyle (AB 476).
• Small Business Expense Flexibility: The legislation would double the amount of expenses a small business can write off, meaning less money sent to Madison means more for jobs and payroll (AB 184).
• Health Insurance Flexibility: Wisconsin currently prohibits small businesses from choosing out-of-state health insurance coverage - even if they would save money. This bill would improve competition and expand options for businesses looking to provide quality, affordable health care (LRB 0921).
• Eliminate Budget Tax Increases: This provision would eliminate the $107 million phone tax, $242 million capital gains tax on individuals' savings & investments, and the new $215 million combined reporting tax on job-creators. The combined reporting tax alone has been cited by multiple Wisconsin companies, such as Harley Davidson, Thomas Industries, and Briggs & Stratton, as a contributing factor in cutting hundreds of jobs and moving jobs out of the state (AB 478).
The WI Jobs NOW agenda was developed by going directly to businesses and listening. A Jobs NOW Task force was created earlier this year and toured the state asking employers what they needed to start growing and hiring again. The legislative package includes good ideas from small business owners as to how state government can help our economy move in the right direction again.
This agenda provides many ideas and solutions to our current economic crisis and is a start to helping get our state back on the right track. By eliminating the crippling tax increases and improving the business climate in our state, we can foster economic development and job creation in our state. I will continue to work hard to push for the timely passage of each of these bills to help get our state's economy moving again and bring jobs back to Wisconsin.
- Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, serves the 80th Assembly District, which includes all of Green County and parts of Lafayette, Rock and Dane counties.
