MADISON – Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC), the State’s Chamber of Commerce, recently honored State Rep. Dale Kooyenga (R-Brookfield) with the WMC Champion of Free Enterprise Award because of his outstanding leadership on cutting taxes.
“In the state Assembly, Rep. Kooyenga has been the single greatest proponent of tax cuts for individuals and businesses, and he deserves to be recognized for his achievements in passing significant tax cuts,” said Scott Manley, WMC Vice President of Government Relations.
The WMC Champion of Free Enterprise award is the highest honor the business community gives to a sitting member of the Legislature. A Senate member will also be honored in the coming weeks.
Kooyenga received the WMC Champion of Free Enterprise Award Thursday at Briggs & Stratton Corporation in Wauwatosa. Additionally, Kooyenga won the WMC Working for Wisconsin Award for his 100 percent pro-jobs voting record on business legislation in the most recent session.
“Whether it’s cutting taxes, cutting red tape or cracking down on frivolous lawsuits, Rep. Kooyenga is at the Capitol fighting for job creators to help our families have great jobs right here in Wisconsin,” Manley said.
In the most recent legislative session, Kooyenga successfully advocated for a $600 million income tax cut. Additionally, he was the leading Assembly proponent of the manufacturers’ income tax credit that will virtually wipe out income taxes paid by manufacturers in Wisconsin in 2016.
Kooyenga also fought for and delivered many significant business tax cuts and reforms that make it easier for businesses to grow and expand in Wisconsin.
“Hands down, Rep. Kooyenga has been at the epicenter of a tax-cutting renaissance in Wisconsin that will lead to job creation and an improved business climate for generations to come,” Manley said. “His visionary leadership is unparalleled and comes from his core value that economic freedom is the pathway to prosperity.”
WMC’s Working for Wisconsin Award is given to legislators who stand up for jobs and improve the state’s business climate by voting 80 percent or greater in support of the pro-jobs position on the WMC legislative scorecard.
“Our entire state owes Rep. Kooyenga a debt of gratitude,” said Kurt R. Bauer, WMC President/CEO.
WMC is presenting 76 lawmakers with the Working for Wisconsin award and has released “How They Voted,” a legislative scorecard for pro-business votes in the 2013-2014 legislative session.
“In total, 69 award-winning lawmakers had 100 percent voting records on the WMC scorecard,” said Manley. WMC’s public policy team analyzes the key votes affecting industry to create the scorecard. The analysis is based solely on the actual voting records, irrespective of partisan affiliation.
Wisconsin has witnessed back-to-back historic legislative sessions for job creation over the past four years, under the leadership of Governor Scott Walker. Walker has signed every pro-growth bill that has reached his desk, and has taken a leadership role driving pro-growth reforms.
“Prior to Governor Walker’s election, the Legislature and governor had taken a turn for the worse – raising taxes, expanding regulations, and increasing liability for employers,” Manley said. “Thankfully, those days are over and we are back to a climate where job creation is flourishing.”
(Pictured, left to right, Laura Timm, Vice President of Communications, Briggs & Stratton; Eric Bott, WMC Director of Environmental and Energy Policy; Jason Culotta, WMC Director of Tax and Transportation Policy; Rep. Dale Kooyenga; Todd Teske, Chairman, President & CEO, Briggs & Stratton; Chris Reader, WMC Director of Health and Human Resources Policy; and Scott Manley, WMC Vice President of Government Relations.)
Related Material:
WMC Legislative Voting Record: 2013-2014
For Further Information Contact:
Scott Manley, (608) 258-3400
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