Official magazine of WMC - Wisconsin’s Chamber October 2016: Issue 20 Filling the Talent Gap The Joseph Project Page 15 Inside: Gov. Scott Walker: Wisconsin's Manufacturing Tradition p. 16 LEAD STORY: Election Season – How the 2016 Presidential Election could Impact Wisconsin’s Economy p. 22 Legislative Voting Records p. 30 Transportation Funding p. 42 Celebrating PRIORITIZING PEOPLE At First Business, we support people with financial needs, not the financial needs of people. So when I heard that a long term client who built a successful business retired in style in Florida, I was both thrilled to hear how happy he was – and grateful to have been able to help him along the way. And when I heard he actually retired early? Well, that made my day. JERRY SMITH Co-Founder & Chairman, First Business WE ARE BANKING. FOCUSED. firstbusiness.com/learnmore Member FDIC In this issue… WISCONSIN 2 Business People Must be Politically Engaged BUSINESS VOICE KURT BAUER, WMC 4 Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin Contest From the Editor 9 New Ozone Standard Will Harm Wisconsin’s Manufacturers A few short months ago we were LUCAS VEBBER, WMC in an internal staff meeting talking about Manufacturing 10 Are Conservatives being Hypocritical when it Comes to Workforce Development? Month and how we could spread ED PARADOWSKI, APACHE STAINLESS EQUIPMENT the word about all the great stuff CORPORATION made in Wisconsin – not just the cheese and beer and motorcycles Our Regulatory Burden is Unsustainable 12 SCOTT MANLEY, WMC (which are all awesome) but also some of the other stuff – the A Dose of Reality behind-the-scenes parts that are 14 ATTY. GEN. BRAD SCHIMEL made to go into other things, or the things people have no idea 15 Filling the Talent Gap – The Joseph Project are made in our backyard (like Circus Peanuts candy!) And the 16 Maintaining and Strengthening Wisconsin's Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin Manufacturing Tradition was born. Thanks to Johnson GOV. SCOTT WALKER Financial Group for stepping up 18 Education Funding – is the Sky Falling? to sponsor it so we could actually CHRIS READER, WMC make it reality. So fast forward to today – we received nearly 300 entries and 21 Cementing our Pro-Jobs Policy Wins for Generations to Come reached more than 20,000 votes, mostly from the general JIM PUGH, WMC IMC public. So it worked! Thousands of people learned what we already knew – Wisconsin is a cool place, and we make really 22-25 ELECTION SEASON: HOW cool stuff. THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL But the fun’s not over. The final round of voting is happening ELECTION COULD IMPACT right now! Go to www.madeinwis.com to cast your vote today. Then come to the WMC Foundation State of Wisconsin WISCONSIN’S ECONOMY Business event October 18 in Madison to learn which is the coolest of them all. 26 Ports and Shipbuilding Maintain a Prominent Role in Wisconsin Happy voting, JASON CULOTTA, WMC 28 Protecting our Aging Workforce JANIE RITTER, WISCONSIN SAFETY COUNCIL Katy Pettersen 30 Legislative Voting Records: 2015-16 Session Editor, Wisconsin Business Voice 34 Attracting and Retaining Top Talent Amid Labor Shortages Publisher’s Note: This is the last edition of Wisconsin SCOTT MAYER, QPS EMPLOYMENT GROUP Business Voice edited by Katy Pettersen. Katy is leaving WMC after 12 years. Her many noteworthy accomplishments I've Been in Your Shoes 41 SEN. RON JOHNSON includes establishing this magazine, which has become a popular and valuable WMC member service. All of us at WMC wish Katy all the best in her future endeavors. 42 Transportation Funding SEN. DUEY STROEBEL (R-SAUKVILLE) AND REP. JOHN NYGREN (R-MARINETTE) Wisconsin Business Voice is published quarterly by Wisconsin Manufacturers & 44 “Someplace Better” Campaign is Getting Traction Commerce. WMC is Wisconsin’s chamber of commerce, manufacturers’ association, BETSY ALLES, SHEBOYGAN COUNTY CHAMBER OF and safety council representing businesses of all sizes and from every sector of the COMMERCE economy. WMC's address is 501 E. Washington Avenue, Madison, WI 53703, (608) 258-3400. This publication is proudly printed on paper made in Wisconsin. * On the cover: Sen. Johnson congratulates Laretha Branch Kurt R. Bauer, WMC President/CEO [email protected] on her new job. Jane Sutter, Designer Business People must be Politically Engaged Kurt R. Bauer, WMC President/CEO t costs businesses $2 trillion While trade associations, like WMC and others, are highly (no, that isn’t a typo) annually effective advocates, I have always believed the best lobbyists Ito comply with federal regulations, for any business are its combined management and employees according to the Competitive working together. Never assume someone else can explain Enterprise Institute. That is a lot of to policymakers how an existing or proposed regulation will money being diverted away from impact your business as well as you can. far more productive uses like capital But also remember it is important to know who those people investments, R&D, acquisitions and are in the first place. In business, relationships are important. hiring. That is just as true in politics. All business owners and Most business owners and executives closely monitor the executives should get to know their local, state and federal impact taxes, regulations and other government mandates lawmakers. In fact, it is smart to invite them to visit your have on their competitiveness, which is good. But most business. businesses fail to share that information with an important Many businesses go a step further and prepare a one-page stakeholder group that is deeply invested in the success or summary of their overall economic impact, including the failure of the enterprise; their employees. number of employees, total payroll and benefits, median Research shows the most trusted source of information about salary, recent capital investments, taxes paid, number of public policy issues that impact an employee’s local vendors/suppliers, charitable giving and hours job security is their employer, which is why volunteered by employees. management should provide frequent “It is important to be fully Don’t assume politicians will understand updates on government initiatives that engaged in public policy issues your contribution unless you calculate impact their business. Just be sure not to that affect your business and it yourself and share it with them. cross the line by encouraging employees And while you are at it, share that to vote for or against a specific candidate industry, as well as the politics information with the local media and for office. That is illegal. But it is perfectly that drive them.” your own employees. legal and a best practice to inform your employees about issues that may impact their livelihood. Lastly, don’t forget the powerful special interest groups that want to impose even more rules, regulations and taxes on your But business leaders shouldn’t stop there. It is important to be business are active and have the sympathy of the mainstream fully engaged in public policy issues that affect your business media. Those groups want a $15 per hour minimum wage, and industry, as well as the politics that drive them. That is expanded paid leave and free college tuition paid for by higher especially true during a time when free enterprise is under taxes on businesses. Fight back by speaking up and defending attack. your business and, in the process, the free enterprise system Consider the frightening truth that the only qualification a that allows it to be successful. BV politician is required to have in order to serve in public office is to get elected. That’s it. They aren’t required to have run a business, met a payroll or to have hired or fired someone. As a result, many don’t understand even the most basic things about the free enterprise system and the broader economy, even though their decisions influence how you run your business. Follow Kurt on Twitter @Kurt_R_Bauer 2 Providing fast and flexible custom staffing solutions in this demanding business climate isn’t easy. But at QPS, we’ve never been one to shy away from hard work. Light Industrial to Skilled Trades, Office/Clerical to Professional, we take pride in going the extra mile to match the right candidate with the right job. It’s one more reason why hundreds of Wisconsin companies are so passionate about partnering with QPS. Wisconsin Manufacturing Quiz Ten of the Coolest Things Made in Wisconsin Wisconsin manufacturers make some of the coolest products on Earth. Test your knowledge of state products and where they are made from the nominees for the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin Competition sponsored by Johnson Financial Group. 1. Brats were a staple in many Wisconsin’s communities, but none 5. These yachts are the pride and joy of Pulaski, Wisconsin and more so than in Sheboygan County. Name the company that many of them regularly retail for more than $1 million. Name standardized brat production and became the world-wide leader the company. in bratwurst and the city where the company is located. 6. What is a wireless camera system to allow farmers to view their 2. Founded in 1922, this American shoe manufacturer makes animals over the internet and where’s the hometown? premium shoes and accessories for men. The shoes are the 7. This iconic company introduced the motorcycle to the world. preferred shoes of Presidents of the U.S., CEOs and well- What’s the company and hometown? groomed men around the world. Name the brand and the company’s hometown. 8. Brass diving helmets aren’t just for science fiction. They are made in Wisconsin by which company and in what city? 3. Name the original citrus soda and the only place in the world that bottles it in returnable bottles with granulated sugar.