$44 million reduction in the personal property tax. 203 which removes the requirement that a municipal Legislators are graded, based on action OUTCOME: Passed Assembly and Senate, Vetoed by governing body must approve operator/bartender LEGISLATIVE specific to key WGA legislative issues. Governor. licenses. The bill allows the municipality to designate a city official, such as the city clerk, to approve and Points are given to an individual for IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: The personal property tax REPORT CARD issue the licenses. introducing or voting in favor of still remains and is an unfair and archaic tax on small legislation that WGA supports, and businesses. OUTCOME: Signed into law, 2019 Wisconsin Act Compiled by the transversely points are taken away for 166, effective 3/2020. Wisconsin Grocers Association supporting legislation that WGA opposes. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: This law cuts the time to for the Extra points are given for introducing pro- DEBIT CARDS FOR LOTTERY obtain bartenders licenses from 4-6 weeks, and WGA amendments, speaking for or against sometimes longer, to only a few days. WGA POSITION: Opposed 2019-2020 proposals of interest, committee action, attending/speaking at WGA’s Grocers in the SUMMARY: Legislation was introduced that would Legislative Capitol Day, and general support of the require retailers to accept debit cards for lottery sales. ALCOHOL PICKUP & DELIVERY Session WGA’s issues. The authors believed that this would result in additional sales and, thus, funding toward property WGA POSITION: Support tax relief. SUMMARY: On behalf of the WGA, Rep. Gary OUTCOME: Failed, no action taken by either house. Tauchen (R-Bonduel) introduced legislation to clarify Wisconsin’s alcohol pick-up laws and to allow grocers IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: This bill would have resulted to deliver alcohol with groceries. MEAT, DAIRY AND MILK LABELING in retailers losing money when selling lottery tickets WGA POSITION: Opposed to penalty provisions due to the fact that the interchange fee on debit cards OUTCOME: Failed, no action taken in either house. SUMMARY: Several bills were introduced that would exceeds the retailer’s allowance for lottery sales. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: As grocery delivery and prohibit labeling and selling a food product as meat, pickup continue to grow, grocers will need to be able dairy or milk unless the food is a product derived to offer alcohol alongside groceries to satisfy from animals and not plant-based. The WGA EXTEND 15 DAY consumer demand. supported the intentions of the bill, but were CREDIT TERMS FOR BEER concerned with the impact and potential fines on WGA POSITION: Support retailers for mislabeled products. UNFAIR SALES ACT/ SUMMARY: Rep. Dan Knodl (R-Germantown) and OUTCOME: Passed Assembly, failed due to no action MINIMUM MARKUP Senator Kathy Bernier (R-Chippewa Falls) in Senate. This legislative report card grades introduced AB 571/SB 544, to increase the credit WGA POSITION: Opposed our elected officials on their votes IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: The bills did not pass, terms for beer from 15 days to 30 days. SUMMARY: Several bills were introduced aimed at on industry-specific bills. however, if they are introduced in future sessions, OUTCOME: Failed, due to no action in either house. reducing the minimum markup or eliminating the the WGA will encourage the authors to remove the unfair sales act: AB 154, AB 156, SB 22 & SB 52 IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: This bill would have penalties for retailers and place the responsibility of (Ott/Stroebel/Carpenter) eliminated the prohibition provided retailers an additional 15 days to pay for labeling on manufacturers and/or Department of on below-cost sales of prescription drugs; AB 56 & These grades can be used by beer on credit, and also would have aligned the credit Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection. SB 59 (State Budget) eliminated the minimum members of the Wisconsin Grocers terms with those for liquor. markup on gasoline; AB 155 & SB 51 (Ott/Stroebel) Association to make educated decisions repealed the unfair sales act and minimum markup during the 2020 elections. PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX laws. STREAMLINING EXEMPTION OUTCOME: Failed; no hearings were held and no As an opinion leader in your BARTENDERS LICENSE WGA POSITION: Support action taken in either house. community, it is necessary that you WGA POSITION: Support SUMMARY: Wisconsin was faced with an unexpected IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: The Unfair Sales Act, which are involved in the election of the revenue surplus and Republicans proposed AB 910 SUMMARY: Rep. Dan Knodl (R-Germantown) and includes the minimum mark-up provisions, remains people who represent you and which included a series of tax cuts, as well as a Senator Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield) introduced SB unchanged. your business in the State’s Capitol. SENATE ASSEMBLY Roger Roth (R-Appleton) ASSEMBLY Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) Gary Hebl (D-Sun Prairie) The following legislators earned Duey Stroebel (R-Saukville) Rob Hutton (R-Brookfield) Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton) the highest grade given by the Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point) John Jagler (R-Watertown) Nick Milroy (D-South Range) WGA. These individuals have Thomas Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst) Jesse James (R-Altoona) Greta Neubauer (D-Racine) consistently supported and Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) Debra Kolste (D-Janesville) Jim Ott (R-Mequon) introduced legislation that Scott Krug (R-Nekoosa) Sondy Pope (D-Mt. Horeb) benefits the grocery industry, and therefore The following legislators have been Gae Magnafici (R-Dresser) Daniel Riemer (D-Milwaukee) are considered a “Friend of Grocers.” Their given a “B” grade by the WGA. This Tip McGuire (D-Kenosha) Melissa Sargent (D-Madison) efforts will be recognized by receiving the admirable mark is given to legislators WGA endorsement and a miniature grocery Beth Meyers (D-Bayfield) Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point) who are generally supportive of our Dave Murphy (R-Greenville) Christine Sinicki (D-Milwaukee) cart, which applauds their hard work on industry and, therefore, deserving of the Tod Ohnstad (D-Kenosha) Shelia Stubbs (D-Madison) our behalf. WGA endorsement. Loren Oldenburg (R-Westby) Amanda Stuck (D-Appleton) ASSEMBLY Scott Allen (R-Waukesha) ASSEMBLY Steve Doyle (D-Onalaska) Warren Petryk (R-Eleva) Robyn Vining (D-Brookfield) Tyler August (R-Lake Geneva) Cody Horlacher (R-Mukwanago) Jon Plumer (R-Lodi) Dana Wachs (D-Eau Claire) Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) Terry Katsma (R-Oostburg) Romaine Quinn (R-Rice Lake) Samantha Kerkman (R-Salem) Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam) Tim Ramthun (R-Campbellsport) SENATE Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) Joel Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay) Cindi Duchow (R-Town of Delafield) Patrick Snyder (R-Wausau) Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) Adam Neylon (R-Pewaukee) Daniel Knodl (R-Germantown) Shae Sortwell (R-Two Rivers) Andre Jacque (R-DePere) Treig Pronschinske (R-Mondovi) Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit) LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee) Mike Kuglitsch (R-New Berlin) Jessie Rodriguez (R-Oak Creek) Rob Stafsholt (R-New Richmond) Janis Ringhand (D-Evansville) Bob Kulp (R-Stratford) Ken Skowronski (R-Franklin) Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc) John Spiros (R-Marshfield) Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton) David Steffen (R-Green Bay) Rob Summerfield (R-Bloomer) Mark Miller (D-Monona) John Macco (R-Ledgeview) Rob Swearingen (R-Rhinelander) Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R-Fond du Lac) Patty Schachtner (D-Somerset) Jeffrey Mursau (R-Crivitz) Paul Tittl (R-Manitowoc) Travis Tranel (R-Cuba City) Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire) Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville) Tyler Vorpagel (R-Plymouth) Ron Tusler (R-Appleton) Robert Wirch (D-Kenosha) John Nygren (R-Marinette) Chuck Wichgers (R-Muskego) Nancy Vander Meer (R-Tomah) Kevin Petersen (R-Waupaca) Shannon Zimmerman (R-River Falls) Don Vruwink (D-Milton) Mike Rohrkaste (R-Neenah) SENATE Robert Wittke (R-Racine) The following legislators have worked David Craig (R-Town of Vernon) Joe Sanfelippo (R-New Berlin) SENATE against the WGA and its members Jennifer Shilling (D-LaCrosse) Kathy Bernier (R-Chippewa Falls) Michael Schraa (R-Oshkosh) and have voted against WGA positions. Janet Bewley (D-Ashland) Jim Steineke (R-Kaukauna) They have earned an “F” grade. Gary Tauchen (R-Bonduel) The following legislators received a Robin Vos (R-Rochester) “C” for expressing a willingness to The following legislators have been ASSEMBLY David Bowen (D-Milwaukee) support our industry. The WGA will given a “D” because they have voted LaKeisha Myers (D-Milwaukee) against the WGA on key issues and SENATE Robert Cowles (R-Green Bay) encourage them to be more supportive Chris Taylor (D-Madison) Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) in the next legislative session. have not supported major policy Dan Feyen (R-Fond du Lac) efforts. The WGA will encourage Timothy Carpenter (D-Milwaukee) Janel Brandtjen (R-Menomonee Falls) these officials to support our issues. SENATE Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) ASSEMBLY Fred Risser (D-Madison) Robert Brooks (R-Saukville) ASSEMBLY Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield) Jimmy Anderson (D-Fitchburg) Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) Dave Considine (D-Baraboo) Dale Kooyenga (R-Brookfield) Jill Billings (D-LaCrosse) Barb Dittrich (R-Oconomowoc) Devin Lemahieu (R-Oostburg) Jonathan Brostoff (D-Milwaukee) James Edming (R-Glen Flora) Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) Marisabel Cabrera (D-Milwaukee) Mary Felzkowski (R-Irma) Wisconsin Grocers Association Stephen Nass (R-Whitewater) David Crowley (D-Milwaukee) Jason Fields (D-Milwaukee) 10 West Mifflin Street, Suite 501 Luther Olsen (R-Ripon) Staush Gruszynski (D-Green Bay) Madison WI 53703 Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee) Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon) Kalan Haywood (D-Milwaukee) 888.342-5942 • wisconsingrocers.com Rick Gundrum (R-Village of Slinger).