Calls on Governor and Legislature to Help Wisconsin Move Forward and Restart the Economy
MADISON – Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) – the combined state chamber, manufacturers’ association and safety council – released its COVID-19 Relief & Recovery Agenda on Thursday aimed at providing economic assistance to those in need; a reprieve of costly and burdensome regulations on businesses stepping up during this public health emergency; and getting people back to work quickly following this crisis.
WMC’s comprehensive agenda would:
- Provide liquidity for businesses through tax credits and payment deferments
- Enact liability protections to allow businesses to safeguard employees and other essential visitors at their facilities
- Temporarily pause Dept. of Revenue audits that are incredibly disruptive to business operations
- Prohibit unemployment benefit withdrawals from counting against an employer’s experience rating
- Prioritize COVID-19 testing for employees working in essential industries like health care, manufacturing and energy
- Provide families with financial assistance through tax credits and unemployment insurance waivers
- Provide families with increased flexibility for tax payments
- Provide flexibility for employees by temporarily waiving continuing education requirements
“Wisconsin’s business community is stepping up during this public health emergency, and it is the duty of lawmakers to provide support to employers, employees and all Wisconsinites who are struggling,” said Scott Manley, WMC Executive Vice President of Government Relations. “WMC’s Relief & Recovery Agenda will keep more businesses operational, ensure folks are still able to provide for their families and help our economy bounce back following this crisis.”
The full Relief & Recovery Agenda can be viewed by clicking here.
During this public health emergency, WMC has brought together the business community and government to ensure consistent communication. The state chamber’s webinars have reached more than 5,000 unique individuals and have featured a broad spectrum of speakers including Gov. Tony Evers, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, Wisconsin Cabinet Secretaries, members of Congress, federal officials and industry leaders.
Additionally, WMC staff and members have had regular discussions with members of the Evers Administration, legislative leaders and other government officials to ensure the business community is part of the solution during this time of need. These conversations have been productive and will continue.
“WMC looks forward to working with Gov. Evers, Sen. Fitzgerald and Speaker Vos on providing much needed relief to our state’s employers, their workers and everyone affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” added Manley. “We have been in regular communication with all of them and hope the response will be overwhelmingly bipartisan.”
For updates on the business community’s response to COVID-19 and other resources, please visit www.wmc.org/coronavirus.
