Wisconsin’s Business Voice Since 1911 Wisconsin Association of School Boards 2010 Legislative Advocacy Conference November 13, 2010 James S. Haney President & CEO

Wisconsin’s Business Voice Since 1911 Agenda Wisconsin Business Climate Wisconsin Political Climate Moving Wisconsin Forward – Wisconsin Jobs 2010 Business on Investing in People Business on Improving Public Systems

Wisconsin’s Business Voice Since 1911 Wisconsin Business Climate WMC’s Mission Make Wisconsin the Most Competitive State in the Nation. But... Wisconsin’s Business Climate Ranking Forbes – 48 th CEO Index – 43 rd Tax Foundation – 42 nd

Wisconsin’s Business Voice Since 1911 Wisconsin Business Climate Income Gap Widens % below U.S. Average % below U.S. Average Payroll Employment Growth U.S. Average Wisconsin % 1.2% % 0.9% % 0.5%

Wisconsin’s Business Voice Since 1911 Wisconsin Business Climate Net Out-Migration of People with College Degrees: -8,654 Net In-Migration of People with Less Than High School Education: +15,910

Wisconsin’s Business Voice Since 1911 Wisconsin Manufacturing Employment Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Month/Year

Wisconsin’s Business Voice Since 1911 Wisconsin Business Climate State Budget (GAAP) $2.71 Billion Deficit Shortfall Since (Last year with all states reporting) 4 States in Red – CA: $4.17B; IL: $3.93B; WI: $2.5B; and ME: $.24B Per Capita: Wisconsin is #1 – $445 per person (IL: $305; ME: $181; and CA: $113)

Wisconsin’s Business Voice Since 1911 Wisconsin Business Climate Key Factors in States with Top 10 Business Climates Low Taxes Positive Regulatory Environment Positive Legal Climate Low Levels of Unionization Robust Population and Income Growth We can compete if we make fundamental change.

Wisconsin’s Business Voice Since 1911 Wisconsin Business Climate 2009: Governor and Legislature Made Things Worse $3 Billion in Higher Taxes and Fees 10% Government Spending Hike New Mandates on Businesses Expanded Liability and Attempted Joint and Several Increased Insurance Premiums

Wisconsin’s Business Voice Since 1911 Wisconsin Political Climate What a Difference a Year Makes…

Wisconsin’s Business Voice Since 1911 Wisconsin Political Climate Mid 2009 Stimulus Bill Passed Obama Riding High in Polls Democrats had Huge Back-to-Back Electoral Victories ’06 and ’08 Pundits Predicted Realignment

Wisconsin’s Business Voice Since 1911 Wisconsin Political Climate Mid 2010 Tea Parties, Health Care Battle Obama Poll Numbers Down Democrats Face Tough Re-Elects Obey, Doyle Retire in Wisconsin Democratic Legislative Leaders Run for Higher Office

Wisconsin’s Business Voice Since 1911 Wisconsin Political Climate What’s Going On? Voters Are Unhappy Economy Drives Voter Approval Jobs Matter

Wisconsin’s Business Voice Since 1911 Wisconsin Political Climate Outsiders Beat Insiders Long-Time Incumbents Lost Independents Broke for GOP, But Are NOT Republicans Lesson: Independent Voters Are Independent and Swing Elections

Wisconsin’s Business Voice Since 1911 Wisconsin Political Climate GOP Sweep Governor U.S. Senate Attorney General + Congressional Seats State Senate State Assembly

Wisconsin’s Business Voice Since 1911 Wisconsin Jobs 2010 Make Wisconsin Competitive Again Positive Set of Pro-Growth Policies Create Jobs Long-Term Business Climate Improvement

Wisconsin’s Business Voice Since 1911 Wisconsin Jobs 2010 Live Within Our Means Cap Government Spending Balance the Budget Repeal Tax Increases from 2009

Wisconsin’s Business Voice Since 1911 Wisconsin Jobs 2010 Unleash Private Investment Harmonize State & Federal Regulation Establish Comprehensive One-Stop Permitting at Department of Commerce Businesses Need Speed and Predictability Approving a Permit Leads to Job Growth

Wisconsin’s Business Voice Since 1911 Wisconsin Jobs 2010 Ensure Justice For All Enact Comprehensive Product Liability Reform Establish Limits on Punitive Damages

Wisconsin’s Business Voice Since 1911 Wisconsin Jobs 2010 Wisconsin Jobs 2010 Provides a Roadmap for Success... To Compete Better for Jobs To Create Prosperity for Our Families

Wisconsin’s Business Voice Since 1911 Business on Investing in People Enhance Educational Achievement Encourage Personal Improvement Enhance Employment Training Opportunities

Wisconsin’s Business Voice Since 1911 Business on Improving Public Systems Encourage Balanced Budgeting Control Property Taxes Encourage Efficiency Understand and Manage Benefit Costs Reduce Cost Shifting

Wisconsin’s Business Voice Since 1911 Contact Information James S. Haney President & CEO Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce 501 E. Washington Avenue P. O. Box 352, Madison, WI