TUESDAY TRENDS: Nov. 13, 2007

By Brian E. Clark

RISING

Jack Fischer

Jack L. Fischer, a Fox Valley architect with 30 years of experience in
construction and development – both in this country and abroad – is the
state’s new commerce secretary. Fischer, 54, said he sought the job as
a way to “give something back to the state that has done so much for me
and my family.”

He is past president of JP-Marathon, Inc. and Interglobia Inc., a
development company. He retired from Marathon after 22 years as an
officer when he and his partners sold their ownership interest to the
International JP Group companies.

Fischer replaces Mary Burke, who left the department after a two-plus
year stint to devote more time to non-profit work. Fischer, who did his
undergrad and graduate work at UW-Milwaukee, will be paid $117,500
annually and start at the end of the month.

See a WisBusiness profile of Fischer:
http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=110256

MIXED

MGE

The state Public Service Commission has granted Madison Gas and
Electric (MGE) rate hikes for natural gas and electricity, but for
significantly less than the utility requested. The new prices will go
into effect in 2008.

The overall increases, of 4.8 percent for electricity and 2.8 percent
for natural gas, will help cover costs outlined in Wisconsin Act 141,
which was enacted in 2005 and mandates increased energy efficiency and
greater use of renewables in Wisconsin.

MGE had requested increases of 9.9 percent for electricity and 3.7
percent for natural gas. The changes mean a $3 increase in monthly
electric rates and a $4.40 increase in the natural gas bill for the
average residential MGE customers.

FALLING

Wal-Mart

The same week that Wal-Mart opened a massive, two-story,
227,000-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter in Monona, complete with
skylights and underground parking, it was slapped by the state with
fines for overcharging customers for bulk coffee and vegetables.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
said it settled with Wal-Mart for $90,000 after weights and measures
inspectors found 280 violations at nine Wal-Mart stores around the
state that were canvassed a year ago.

The department said the stores were charging customers for the weight
of packaging when they bought bulk items such as coffee, broccoli and
sweet potatoes. State law requires stores to subtract the weight of
packaging material when weighing food. An official said customers paid
as much as 21 cents extra for a bag of grind-it-yourself coffee.

A Wal-Mart spokeswoman called the overcharges regrettable and said her
company has corrected the problem and is making sure its weights are
accurate.