POLICY AGENDA 2019

1 The Waukesha County Business Alliance provides a clear and persuasive voice for the business community and advocates for business-friendly legislation at local, state and federal levels. Here are our five policy areas of focus for 2019:

Workforce development is the number one issue facing Waukesha County, the 7 region and our state. An Alliance survey found that more than 85 percent of Waukesha County employers plan to expand their workforce in the next three years, yet 82 percent are unable to find enough qualified workers. The Alliance is committed to developing, identifying and supporting policy solutions that strengthen our region’s talent pipeline.

Recognizing that high quality schools are critical to developing educated citizens and a strong future workforce, the Alliance is focused on fostering effective business- education partnerships at all levels. We support Waukesha County students in being both college and career ready and help families and educators understand job opportunities in the marketplace today and in the future.

Waukesha County’s economic vitality depends on modern, safe and efficient infrastructure networks, from our transportation systems to our water supply. In particular, we recognize the need for a sustainable funding solution to meet the critical transportation infrastructure needs of our state. The effective flow of goods, services and people is fundamental to business growth and a vibrant economy.

To enhance the work of the Waukesha County Center for Growth, our county’s two- year-old economic development organization, the Alliance advocates for local, state and federal policies that support economic development, foster business growth and allow to remain competitive with other states. Because Waukesha County’s economy is inextricably linked to Milwaukee and the broader region, the Alliance is also an active participant in the efforts of the Milwaukee 7 to build a vibrant regional economy.

To ensure adequate resources are available to meet our most critical public needs, the Alliance supports policies that promote and increase government efficiencies and collaboration at all levels. We strive to serve as a resource that connects the public and private sectors in order to facilitate best practice sharing and problem solving.

If you are interested in joining our efforts to ensure a strong, pro-business climate, please contact us.

Suzanne Kelley Amanda Payne President and CEO Vice President, Public Policy 262-409-2623 262-409-2620 [email protected] [email protected] A

B C WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Workforce development is the number one issue facing Waukesha County, the Milwaukee 7 region and our state. An Alliance survey found that more than 85 percent of Waukesha County employers plan to expand their workforce in the next three years, yet 82 percent are unable to find enough qualified workers. The Alliance is committed to developing, identifying and supporting policy solutions that strengthen our region’s talent pipeline.

Support programs that assist Continue to advocate for the state’s 1 targeted populations in entering or 5 apprenticeship program. re-entering the workforce. Collaborate with other partners to Support state and regional efforts 6 find solutions to the shortage of 2 to implement a talent attraction affordable housing in Waukesha program. County for workers and young families. Expand availability of Wisconsin 3 Department of Workforce Identify and promote innovative Development training grants. 7 employee retention solutions such as the Employee Resource Network Continue to evaluate cost-effective, (ERN) model. 4 efficient, flexible transportation options that connect people Educate members on the regulatory looking for work with jobs available 8 and legislative policy changes that in Waukesha County. impact delivery and cost of health care.

A - The Alliance’s Young Professionals of Waukesha County group has fun with a photo booth, November 2018; B - A high school student tries welding at the M.A.D.E. Career Pathways Expo, October 2018; C - A Milwaukee 3 resident interviews for a job at a hiring event in partnership with The Joseph Project, February 2018. A B

C EDUCATION

Recognizing that high quality schools are critical to developing educated citizens and a strong future workforce, the Alliance is focused on fostering effective business-education partnerships at all levels. We support Waukesha County students in being both college and career ready and help families and educators understand job opportunities in the marketplace today and in the future. Support regional and state Advocate for increasing Science, 1 programs that help students, 4 Technology, Engineering and Math parents and educators better (STEM) education at the K-12 level. understand career opportunities and pathways. Support expansion of innovative 5 post-secondary academic offerings Promote expansion of youth in Waukesha County and the region. 2 apprenticeship, dual enrollment Support policies that encourage and other programs that help 6 students obtain career skills and collaboration among Waukesha experience and/or receive higher County K-12 institutions to education credits that reduce the maximize course offerings and time and cost of obtaining a post- replicate best practices. secondary degree. Support transferable credits among 7 higher education institutions. 3 Expand school accountability beyond traditional measures to Advocate for effective and flexible include workforce development 8 programs to address the teacher outcomes. shortage. 4 A - A high school student tries welding at the M.A.D.E. Career Pathways Expo, October 2018; B - Catholic Memorial High School students present to the Alliance’s Education Steering Council, September 2018; C - Educators tour KHS Manufacturing as part of a Careers Uncovered program, October 2018. A B

EDUCATION C INFRASTRUCTURE & ENVIRONMENT

Waukesha County’s economic vitality depends on modern, safe and efficient infrastructure networks, from our transportation systems to our water supply. In particular, we recognize the need for a sustainable funding solution to meet the critical transportation infrastructure needs of our state. The effective flow of goods, services and people is fundamental to business growth and a vibrant economy.

Advocate for statewide, Continue to evaluate cost- 1 sustainable, long-term 4 effective, efficient, flexible transportation funding transportation options that solutions. connect people looking for work with jobs available in Waukesha Advocate for completion of the County. 2 I-94 East-West corridor between 16th Street and 70th Street. Support the City of Waukesha in 5 the implementation of borrowing Support the completion of the 3 and returning water from Lake West Waukesha Bypass. Michigan.

A - The Alliance presents a van to The Joseph Project, April 2017; B - The City of Waukesha announces an 5 agreement to receive Lake Michigan water from the City of Milwaukee, October 2017; C - The Bluemound Road corridor in Brookfield remains one of the economic epicenters of Waukesha County. A

B C ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

To enhance the work of the Waukesha County Center for Growth, the Alliance advocates for local, state and federal policies that support economic development, foster business growth and allow Wisconsin to remain competitive with other states. Because Waukesha County’s economy is inextricably linked to Milwaukee and the broader region, the Alliance is also an active participant in the efforts of the Milwaukee 7 to build a vibrant regional economy.

Support the Wisconsin Economic Promote the use of Tax Increment 1 Development Corporation and its 5 Financing (TIF) as an economic efforts to drive economic growth development tool available to local throughout the state. municipalities. Advocate for tax and regulatory Support and promote the launch 2 measures that promote business 6 of the Waukesha County Center for expansion and retention and allow Growth’s Collaborative Loan Fund. Wisconsin to be nationally and globally competitive. Serve as an advisor and advocate 7 for the Waukesha County Center for Support preservation of Wisconsin’s Growth. 3 Manufacturing and Agriculture Tax Credit. Promote expanded utilization of 8 programs such as the Wisconsin Continue to support the Foxconn Manufacturing Extension 4 project and seek opportunities Partnership’s ExporTech program for potential Waukesha County to increase exports from Waukesha suppliers. County and southeastern Wisconsin.

6 A - Firestone Building Products celebrates purchasing Gaco Western in Waukesha, August 2018; B - The Waukesha County Center for Growth is Waukesha County’s economic development organization; C - Foxconn celebrates the groundbreaking of its Mount Pleasant campus, June 2018. A B

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT C GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY, COLLABORATION & TRANSPARENCY

To ensure adequate resources are available to meet our most critical public needs, the Alliance supports policies that promote and increase government efficiencies and collaboration at all levels. We strive to serve as a resource that connects the public and private sectors in order to facilitate best practice sharing and problem solving.

Advance efforts to promote Support the continued 1 government efficiencies between 3 advancement of municipal service various agencies at the state, consolidation among Waukesha county and municipal levels. County communities. Increase transparency for residents Advocate for greater government 2 of their Emergency Medical 4 transparency. Services (EMS) by advocating for publicly-available countywide data that shares level of EMS service, responding entity and cost.

A - The Waukesha County Communications (WCC) fields 9-1-1 calls from municipalities all over the county; 7 B - Cathy Stepp with the United States Environmental Protection Agency joins us at One-on-One with Public Officials, October 2018; C - Governor Tony Evers presents to the Alliance’s board of directors, December 2018. LEGISLATIVE PROCESS

1 INTRODUCTION Bill is introduced before the Assembly or Senate (1st reading). If they support it, legislators from the same house can sign on as co-authors, while members of the opposite house sign on as co-sponsors.

2 IN COMMITTEE The legislature usually assigns a bill to a relevant committee. While in committee, legislative service agencies research the bill to determine its impact. Bills that involve spending state money or raising taxes are also sent to the Joint Committee on Finance to discuss the cost and financial impact. Committees also generally hold public hearings. A committee may offer amendments to a bill. Then, it sends its analysis back to the legislature, usually with a recommendation.

3 BACK TO THE FLOOR A bill is read again before the legislature (2nd reading). Legislators vote on individual amendments and may offer more amendments. Then, the bill is read a third time, and legislators vote on the completed bill with any amended changes. If it passes, it’s sent to the other house to undergo the same process. If amendments are made in the second house, the bill is sent back to the first house, to make sure that they agree.

4 TO THE GOVERNOR When a bill has passed both houses, it’s sent to the governor to sign it or veto it. If it’s an ‘appropriations bill,’ (for which state money is set aside, like the state budget), the governor may veto parts of the bill, and pass the rest. The legislature may override a veto, if two-thirds of both houses vote in favor of the bill. When the bill is passed, it becomes an act, and its changes are added into the statutes as law.

8 WAUKESHA COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION

HOUSE Rep. , District 15 608-266-0620 [email protected] Rep. , District 97 Rep. , District 14 608-266-8580 608-266-9180 [email protected] [email protected] Rep. , District 22 Rep. , District 83 608-266-2367 608-266-3363 [email protected] [email protected] Rep. Barbara Dittrich, District 38 608-266-8551 [email protected] SENATE Rep. , District 99 608-266-3007 [email protected] Sen. David Craig, District 28 608-266-3363 Rep. , District 33 [email protected] 608-266-5715 [email protected] Sen. Alberta Darling, District 8 608-266-5830 Rep. Rob Hutton, District 13 [email protected] 608-267-9836 [email protected] Sen. Scott Fitzgerald, District 13 608-266-5660 Rep. Daniel Knodl, District 24 [email protected] 608-266-3796 [email protected] Sen. Chris Kapenga, District 33 608-266-9174 Rep. , District 84 [email protected] 608-267-5158 [email protected] Sen. Dale Kooyenga, District 5 608-266-2512 Rep. , District 98 [email protected] 608-266-5120 [email protected] Sen. Steve Naas, District 11 608-266-2635 [email protected] 9 POLICY BOARD Mike Gryczka Mike Pjevach Roxanne Baumann National Exchange Wisconsin Coach Wisconsin Bank & Trust Lines/Coach USA Manufacturing Brian Nemoir, Chair Extension Full Impact Pat Henderson Tom Schreibel Partnership Communications, Quad/Graphics Michael Best LLC Strategies Meghan Busalacchi Jeff Hoffman Lichtsinn & Haensel, Mike Payne, Vice Chair Cushman & Wakefield | Tracy Shilobrit S.C. R&R Insurance The Boerke Company Meta4 Marketing & Services, Inc. Communication Bob Dennik Rick Kalscheuer VJS Construction Peter Bacon R&R Insurance Tim Stewart Services ProHealth Care Services, Inc. DeWitt Ross & Stevens Mike Eckl Greg Bauer Tom Kissinger Fred Stier U.S. Bank BMO Harris Bank The Marcus Stier Construction, Inc. Corporation Jeff Garretson Mike Becker Stan Sugden J.H. Findorff & Son Inc. GE Healthcare Patti Kneiser Ruekert & Mielke, Inc. Froedtert & The John Gscheidmeier Brian Carroll Medical College of Jeff Van Domelen RE/MAX Service First Reinhart Boerner Van Wisconsin Techteriors, LLC Deuren s.c. Kyle Haug Andy Kowske Sandy Wysocki Huntington National Bob Dennik HNTB Corporation Community Leader Bank VJS Construction Services Susan Marshall Pat Henderson Backbone Institute, LLC Quad/Graphics Tom Dieckelman ECONOMIC Wisconsin Coach Bill Mielke DEVELOPMENT Gus Hernandez Lines/Coach USA Ruekert & Mielke, Inc. Johnson Financial POLICY COMMITTEE Group Phil Dougherty Michael Mooney Dougherty LLC MLG Capital LLC Michael Johnson Greg Bauer, Chair We Energies Mike Farrell James Mueller BMO Harris Bank Community Leader Mueller QAAS, LLC Mike Judson Patti Kneiser, Vice Judson & Associates Margaret Farrow Tim Nettesheim Chair S.C. Community Leader von Briesen & Roper, Froedtert & The s.c. Medical College of Bradley Kussow Mike Flynn Wisconsin CLA First Business Bank Reginald Newson Ascension Wisconsin Ryan Amtmann Tony Laszewski Tom Fotsch Ruekert & Mielke, Inc. Waukesha State Bank EmbedTek LLC Jeffrey Packee MSI General Jeff Anderson Mary Nicoson Susan Fronk Corporation M3 Insurance First Citizens State MRA - The Bank Management Joe Pieper Ann Barry Hanneman Association Westbury Bank von Briesen & Roper, Bush Nielsen s.c. Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c. 10 Scott Nissen EDUCATION POLICY INFRASTRUCTURE Susan Marshall Nissen Staffing Backbone Institute, LLC Continuum Inc COMMITTEE POLICY COMMITTEE John McGinnis Chad O’Brien ProHealth Care Susan Marshall, Chair Joe Pieper, Chair Baker Tilly Virchow Backbone Institute, LLC Westbury Bank Krause LLP Andrew Narr Tri City National Bank Francis Bauer Andy Kowske, Vice Jeffrey Packee ITU AbsorbTech, Inc. Chair MSI General Mike Payant HNTB Corporation Ayres Associates Corporation Nate Butt Quad/Graphics John Burgan Tom Palzewicz Mike Pjevach raSmith Wisconsin Coach ActionCOACH Jerry Fons Lines/Coach USA Business Coaching Executive Power LLC Garret Burleson Interstate Sealant & Bill Schilling Mike Payne Michael Frohna Concrete, Inc. AECOM R&R Insurance Junior Achievement Services, Inc. Joshua Davenport Tom Schreibel Kat Goetz KPRG and Associates Scott Ramlow Michael Best TLX Technologies, LLC Inc. Uihlein/Wilson Strategies Architects Holly Hawkins Tom Dieckelman Tim Stewart Tri-North Builders Inc Wisconsin Coach Timothy Richman DeWitt Ross & Stevens Lines/Coach USA Ascension Wisconsin Nate Hoffman Fred Stier Carrus Group Tom Fotsch Chad Ritterbusch Stier Construction, Inc. EmbedTek LLC TRG Marketing Rick Kalscheuer Stan Sugden R&R Insurance Don Gallo Tracy Shilobrit Ruekert & Mielke, Inc. Services, Inc. Husch Blackwell LLP Meta4 Marketing & Todd Taves Communication Reginald Newson Troy E. Giles Ehlers & Associates Inc Ascension Wisconsin Reinhart Boerner Van Lynda Templen Deuren s.c. Charlie Webb Husch Blackwell LLP Kevin Scott Jacobs Engineering DeWitt Ross & Stevens Mark Gorski Ben Woodward Judson & Associates Jennifer B. Zierer Byline Bank Anna Stern S.C. We Energies Tri-North Builders Inc Mike Gryczka Melanie Varin National Exchange TopLine Results Bank & Trust Corporation Patrick Hawley Brad Wells raSmith U.S. Bank Jeff Hoffman Brian Wendt Cushman & Wakefield | Waukesha State Bank The Boerke Company

Greg Wilgenbusch Lori Lorenz Human Capital American Transmission Mentors Company 11 The Alliance provides a clear and persuasive voice for the business community and advocates for business-friendly legislation at local, state and federal levels.

Waukesha County Business Alliance, Inc. | YOUR County Chamber 2717 N. Grandview Blvd., Suite 300, Waukesha, WI 53188 p: 262.542.4249 | www.waukesha.org