Hammersley Stone - AGC of Wisconsin

IN THIS ISSUE
2007–2008 Legislative
Session in Review
1
Priority Legislative Issues:
2007–2008 Session
2
AGCPAC and AGC Conduit
How do they work?
3
AGC Regulatory Update
2008
4
Capitol Report
2007–2008 Legislative Session
in Review
The 2007-2008 legislative session came to an official close on March
13. Other than tying up a few small loose ends, such as the $650 million
budget deficit, legislators are now free to go home and begin the long
campaign for reelection this November. For contractors, the session
ended with a number of hot topics resolved, and some just beginning.
The legislature found itself in turmoil right from the beginning of the
2007 session after the fall elections resulted in the biggest shake up in
American politics since the “Contract with America” helped to bring
Republicans into power in 1994. Anger over slow progress in Iraq swept
many national Republicans out of office and gave Democrats
controlling majorities in both the US Senate and House of
Representatives.
On the state level, incumbent Governor Jim Doyle handily defeated
Republican challenger Mark Green and Attorney General Candidate
J.B. Van Hollen provided the GOP with one of its few bright spots on
Election Day.
In perhaps the biggest upset of the
election, Democrats swept all four of the
closely contested State Senate races
without losing any of their existing seats
and won control of the State Senate with
an 18 to 15 majority. While Republicans
managed to hold control of the majority
in the State Assembly, they lost eight
seats and their majority slipped to a slim
52-47 advantage.
Many observers feared that this legislature
would be reminiscent of the 2001-
02 session when Republican Representative
Scott Jensen and Democrat
Senator Chuck Chvala were in charge.
That session was marred by a long and
bitter budget fight and a record low of
only 106 bills were passed. While not
quite as bad as that, this session was still
very difficult. With roughly 20 days in
actual floor sessions in 2007, the two
houses could agree on only 225 of the
1544 bills introduced.
Considering this political climate the
AGC legislative success rate was excel-
lent. A review of the AGC Legislative Priority
Issue list at the end of this report
will show that we were able to pass five
bills that AGC supported, with two that
remain on the table for next session.
None of the three bills we opposed or had
concerns with passed.
This effective performance was no
accident. AGC of Wisconsin developed a
number of initiatives in 2007 that helped
our members and legislators understand
the AGC’s position on many issues. The
effort to improve communications to our
members began when we instituted our
new Capitol Report newsletter. We also
utilized the latest internet technology by
creating an online grassroots communications
software that allowed AGC members
to learn about issues and communicate
with their legislators with only the “click”
of a few buttons.
Finally, and perhaps the most significant
development, was the decision by
the AGC of Wisconsin Board to create the
Skill Integrity Responsibility Council, Inc.
APRIL 2008
(SIR Council). This issue advocacy initiative
will communicate with the public
and legislators about issues that are
important to the construction industry.
You will be hearing more about the SIR
Council as we move forward in 2008.
What is ahead for 2008? Here is an
update on some of the key issues and
political happenings:
Construction Career Academy
Grants—
The 2007-08 legislature approved
a $250,000 grant program for Construction
Career Academies. The rules for
awarding these grants are in development
and were presented for legislative
review in early April. Grant applications
will likely be available in late
May. AGC and our affiliated local Construction
Career Academy schools will
be working together to apply for these
grants.
Youth Apprenticeships in Construction—
In January, Governor Jim Doyle
introduced his Grow Wisconsin III initiative.
In it, the Governor identified
the construction industry as an area
that needs to have its own Youth
Apprenticeship program. Program
details and funding sources have yet to
be developed, but this is an exciting
first step in creating a Construction
Youth Apprenticeship program. AGC
will be working closely with the
Department of Public Instruction and
Department of Workforce Development
on this new program.
Governor Doyle speaks with 2008 AGC of Wisconsin
President Jerry Klobucar and his wife
Kris at the Build Wisconin Awards.
AGC OF WISCONSIN
Building Wisconsin’s Future