Wisconsin - Jon Erpenbach announces town hall meetings.

[Scuba]

Let's pack these sites !!!


An e-newsletter from Senator Jon Erpenbach 4-1-2011

Erpenbach: EITC worth saving (guest column) -“Several new tax credits for businesses have passed the Legislature this session and will be funded in the biennial budget which is currently being debated in the Capitol. These business credits are incentives to businesses that work for Wisconsin to create and keep jobs here. Workers in Wisconsin don’t get the kinds of tax credits that businesses do, but there are some tax credits for working families that are essential for our economy. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is one of those. Governor Walker’s state budget cuts the EITC program and increases taxes on Wisconsin’s qualifying working families on average by $300 a family; this is a mistake.” View full column: http://legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/sen27/news/Press/2011/col2011-002.asp

State Budget: Joint Committee on Finance Public Hearings.
These scheduled public hearings are the only time when public comment is taken in open hearing format in the entire budget process. If you can make it to a hearing please attend. If you cannot you may submit comments to committee members.
Senator Alberta Darling, Co-Chair Representative Robin Vos, Co-Chair
Senator Luther Olsen Representative Dan Meyer
Senator Sheila Harsdorf Representative Dan LeMahieu
Senator Joe Leibham Representative John Nygren
Senator Glenn Grothman Representative Pat Strachota
Senator Randy Hopper Representative Joel Kleefisch
Senator Lena Taylor Representative Tamara Grigsby
Senator Robert Jauch Representative Jennifer Shilling


Thursday, April 7 (10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)*
University of Wisconsin -- Stevens Point
Lee S. Dreyfus University Center
Melvin R. Laird Room (Room 230)
1015 Reserve Street
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Friday, April 8 (10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)*
Northwood School
The Richard's Auditorium
N14463 Highway 53
Minong, WI 54859

Monday, April 11 (10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)*

Wisconsin State Fair Park
Expo Center, Hall A
8200 W. Greenfield Ave.
West Allis, WI 53214
(Enter Gate 4 for Parking)


Wednesday, April 13 (10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)*
Arcadia High School
Auditorium
756 Raider Drive
Arcadia, WI 54612

[rurallib]

1. Best of luck to you all

hope they run away with their tails between their legs (no violence).
I was at a legislative forum in Iowa and the 4 Republican legs. described cutting corporate taxes as "progressive" Seriously

[pacalo]

2. The meetings should bring in a lot of people. K&R!

[Arctic Dave]

3. K&R

[bluestate10]

4. Wisconsin citizens. Don't be rude or physical with the jerk. Ask him

tough questions. Pin him down with ideas. Show your fellow citizens the callous bastard that he is. Set him up for a certain defeat in his upcoming recall vote.

[Scuba]

5. Exactly.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

6. I hope these generate huge turn-outs. They took them OUT of the Capitol --however, what's this?

There are many more hearings and "executive sessions" here in Madison this week. I really don't know much about this, but wonder if these should be attended as well?

Here's the whole calendar of meetings, etc.--http://committeeschedule.legis.wisconsin.gov/Schedule.aspx
This is a sample - from April 7. Look at the schmucks who are "sponsoring" them...
Can anyone shed light on the importance of these meetings as compared to the ones listed in the Erpenbach newsletter?

Assembly
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Committee on Homeland Security and State Affairs

The committee will hold an executive session on the following items at the time specified below:
Thursday, April 7, 2011
10:30 AM
328 Northwest
State Capitol

Assembly Bill 31
Relating to: allowing retailers the ability to offer discounts equal to the state and local sales taxes.(huh?)
By Representatives Kooyenga, Spanbauer, Vos, Bies and Kaufert; cosponsored by Senators Wanggaard, Lazich and Grothman.

Senate Bill 12
Relating to: allowing retailers the ability to offer discounts equal to the state and local sales taxes.
By Senators Wanggaard, Lazich and Grothman; cosponsored by Representatives Kooyenga, Spanbauer, Vos, Bies and Kaufert.

Assembly Joint Resolution 8
Relating to: continuity of government (second consideration).
By Representative Ballweg; cosponsored by Senators Hopper (That's Randy Bed Hopper) and Jauch.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Adding some more:
Assembly
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

The committee will hold an executive session on the following items at the time specified below:
Tuesday, April 5, 2011, 10:00 AM
225 Northwest
State Capitol

Assembly Bill 41
Relating to: preemption of city, village, town, or county ordinances requiring employers to provide employees with leave from employment to deal with family, medical, or health issues.
By Representatives Kapenga, Stone and Honadel; cosponsored by Senators Vukmir, Darling, Grothman and Lazich.
Senate Bill 23
(same as above) By Senators Vukmir, Grothman, Lazich and Darling; cosponsored by Representatives Kapenga, Stone and Honadel.

And THIS:

Notice of Agency Budget Briefings -- March 29, 30, 31, April 4 and 6
ASSEMBLY CHAIR - ROBIN VOS
Senate Chair - Alberta Darling
cc: Members, Joint Committee on Finance
Phone: [phone]

The Joint Committee on Finance will meet in Room 412 East, State Capitol, to hold briefings by representatives of state agencies on the Governor's 2011-13 Biennial Budget -- Senate Bill 27/Assembly Bill 40 -- according to the schedule below. No public testimony will be taken at the briefings.

Monday, April 4 (10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Department of Natural Resources (including Environmental Improvement Fund)
Department of Transportation

Wednesday, April 6 (10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)
Department of Health Services
Department of Commerce
Department of Safety and Professional Services (currently the Department of Regulation and Licensing)
Department of Justice

[Scuba]

7. I've read about this "retailer sales tax discount" ....

...apparently it's in the ALEC playbook because Repukes are using it other places too.

I haven't seen a cogent explanation, but it has been described as an alternative to the "tax free" days some states hold.


Thanks for posting the schedules. That should be a regular feature.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

8. I added a few more to the above post. I just wonder do these generate a lot of attendance?

I know they are collecting public testimony at the events you listed. I am considering going to either the Stevens Point or West Allis ones.

I agree, we should post these weekly.

[Scuba]

9. I don't know about attendance. I'd expect alot.

West Allis is the only one I can get to. Maybe see you there.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

10. From the ALEC playbook, eh?

interesting - not surprised though. I imagine this one is, too:

"Preemption of city, village, town, or county ordinances requiring employers to provide employees with leave from employment to deal with family, medical, or health issues"

They are downright evil.