Category Archives: Business and Government
Americans must play new job game better
No one disputes that the severe shortage of workers has become a drag on the U. S. economy. Nor that it looks to be a long-term problem. For lack of labor, restaurants have closed either permanently or for some days … Read the rest
Unexpected state surplus could fix budget myopia
For Wisconsin politicians, August was Christmas. The Legislative Reference Bureau has just released a new budget projection for 2021-23, and it showed an astounding $1.7 billion in new surplus dollars. Thanks to a booming economic recovery, tax revenues rolled in … Read the rest
Virus business damages bury Sanders concepts
A couple of months back the smartest people in the country had no idea about the depth or length of the Coronavirus epidemic, nor about the recovery from crisis. They are still mostly uncertain about the medical and economic outcomes, … Read the rest
Data Institute: Another major win for M7 partnerships
The University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee’s strategy of building major partnerships with the big hitters in the M7 region hit pay dirt again last week with the announcement that UWM, Marquette University and Northwestern Mutual Life will be putting $40 … Read the rest
To cure tapeworm, state employees need self-insurance
As far as I can see, there is only one Republican leader in Wisconsin who understands the Medical Industrial Complex that has been driving health costs to an unsustainable level. Most Republicans just don’t get that god-awful costs are at … Read the rest
4% flat tax for Wisconsin: a lot to like
Give Rep. Dale Kooyenga and Assembly Republicans credit for thinking big about Wisconsin’s tax base. His Assembly bill that addresses the biggest sore thumbs in the current tax posture of the state has drawn skepticism from Gov. Walker, some Republican … Read the rest
Ziegler win and broader Wisconsin agenda
It’s a little difficult to divine the way forward for Wisconsin, despite complete political control in the hands of the Republican Party. In Gov. Walker’s first term, there was a clarion call, whether you agree or disagree, to make the … Read the rest
Trump trade war could trigger job losses
It may prove to be a good thing for the nation that what Donald Trump said yesterday has little bearing on what he will say or do tomorrow. He has morphed positions so many times over his career and campaign … Read the rest
Good news, no news on worker’s compensation
Gov. Walker’s team happily announced a 3.2% decrease in worker’s compensation rates for Wisconsin employers last week. That’s good for the economy; down is better than up. But they all know it could be a lot better. The small decrease … Read the rest
Labor shortage changes immigration debate
The tightening labor market in Wisconsin has led some business leaders to ask politicians to rethink state and national policies on immigration. At a time when Republican presidential candidates, including Gov. Scott Walker, are veering to the right on immigration … Read the rest
