State Assembly Passes Historic Workforce Bill
This week, the State Assembly passed an historic Special Session Workforce Package that will cut middle class taxes by $2 billion, expand the childcare tax credit for families, bolster our workforce, reform welfare and streamline occupational licensing in our state. We’re working to get billions in surplus funds out of Madison and back to you and your families.
Here are the highlights from the bill:
Tax Cut
A $2 billion cut that restores the middle class tax cut vetoed by Governor Evers.
- This cut reduces the tax burden on single filers making $27,630 or more by reducing the third tax bracket rate from 5.3% to 4.4%. This also reduces the number of tax brackets from four to three.
- The average Wisconsin family would receive an additional $600 tax cut. Every Wisconsinite making $27,630 or more would see a reduction in their tax bill.
- The cut will make Wisconsin’s tax structure more competitive, which is one of the best ways to retain and attract a talented workforce.
- The bill lessens the tax burden on families suffering from the impact of high inflation.
Childcare Availability
The Provider Assistance for Licensing (PALS) program has received $2.5 million and has created 331 spots in Western and Northern Wisconsin since its inception.
- This bill extends the PALS program statewide using $15 million in general purpose revenue.
- The program provides one-time assistance to unlicensed childcare providers to help them clear hurdles on their way to licensure.
- If the program experiences the same success moving forward, it could create as many as 2,000 childcare slots in childcare deserts across the state.
Childcare Affordability
The bill expands the childcare and dependent tax credit.
- A family of four with two children in childcare could receive a total credit of $5,200, offsetting almost a quarter of their estimated $24,000 child care cost.
- This builds on the expansion in the 2021-23 state budget and puts more money in Wisconsin families’ pockets to address child care costs.
Occupational Licensure Reform
- The bill creates universal reciprocal occupational licenses.
- Sunrise and sunset provisions were added to eliminate unnecessary occupational licenses on a rolling basis.
- The bill also enters Wisconsin into the Social Work and Physicians’ Assistant licensure compacts.
Welfare Reforms
- The bill requires work searches for those receiving unemployment compensations.
- In a recent referendum, 80% of Wisconsinites supported work search requirements for unemployment recipients.
- The bill strengthens drug testing requirements in order to receive UI benefits.
- Department of Workforce Development procedures that identify fraudulent unemployment claims are codified.
Other Items
Commercial Driver’s Licenses: The bill creates a Commercial Drivers (CDL) training grant program. Wisconsin employers are struggling to find employees with CDLs, and this program helps get more CDL qualified employees into the workforce.
Tools of the Trade: The bill awards grants of up to $1,500 for eligible students in apprenticeship programs to pay for the cost of tools, equipment and clothing necessary for the apprenticeship. It also removes barriers to entry for Wisconsin students trying to enter the trades.
Capitol Visits
This week, members of statewide DECA and FBLA chapters visited Capitol offices. Groups like DECA and FBLA are quality components of career and technical education programs that support and enhance related school-based and work-based learning. They provide value to students through various opportunities that allow them to showcase their skills and knowledge.
Capitol Christmas Ornaments
2023 Capitol Christmas ornaments are available for sale at the State Capitol Rotunda Information Desk for $20. The 2023 ornaments feature the 40th anniversary of the Concerts on the Square. The information desk also has the 2022 and 2012 ornaments available for $20 and $15 respectively.
Capitol Christmas Tree Arrives
This year’s Capitol Christmas tree has arrived! This year’s tree is a 30-foot Balsam fir donated by Marge Van Heuklon from Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Ponsse North America, Inc. of Rhinelander transported the tree to Madison.
The tree was planted in 2005 as a memorial to Frank Magnus, a World War II Army veteran, dairy farmer and local elected official in the Rhinelander area. This year the tree will be decorated with ornaments celebrating 175 years of Wisconsin statehood and lit by 2,000 multicolored LED lights.
The Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be on Friday, December 1, 2023 from noon to 1:00 p.m.
Upcoming Events
November 18
Gun Deer Season Begins
Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade
November 21
Thanksgiving
November 23
Small Business Saturday
Area Local Downtowns
November 25
A Very Neenah Christmas
Downtown Neenah
December 1
Electric City Christmas Parade
Downtown Kaukana
December 5
Merry Christmas!
December 25
State Capitol Tours
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The best way to experience the beauty and grandeur of Wisconsin’s Capitol building (located at 2 East Main Street, Madison, WI 53702) is to see it for yourself. It is open to the public weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and weekends and holidays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Free tours are offered daily, year round except on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas. Tours start at the information desk Monday through Saturday at 9:00, 10:00, 11:00 a.m. and 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m.; and Sundays at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m. A 4:00 p.m. tour is offered weekdays (Monday – Friday), excluding holidays, during Memorial Day through Labor Day. Plan on spending 45-55 minutes for a tour. The sixth floor museum and observation deck are open during the summer months. Groups of ten or more can make an on-line reservation for a tour of the State Capitol or call (608)266-0382.
