From WisBusiness.com …
— With savings rates in negative territory, the economy teetering on recession and “unprecedented” access to credit, experts say the need for personal financial literacy is greater than ever before.
“What we need to do now is catch up to the changes in our financial system, which has been evolving rapidly,” said David Mancl, who was recently appointed by President Bush to a two-year term on a national advisory council on financial literacy.
“If you look at the Internet, you can now literally type in your Social Security number and be trading on the New York Stock Exchange in five minutes,” said Mancl, an Appleton native.
To catch up, many schools and some workplaces are offering programs so students and employees can be better informed about credit, 401(k) investments and other money issues, added Mancl, who holds an MBA from UW-Madison and is director of the state Department of Financial Institutions’ Office of Financial Literacy.
“We know that regulation and licensing can only go so far in protecting consumers,” he said. “We need to be proactive and do more in the way of education so people don’t get in financial trouble.”
Mancl said Wisconsin got the president’s attention because the state has been “ahead of the curve” with initiatives such as a statewide campaign called Money Smart Week and creating teacher training courses dealing with personal financial literacy.”
See story later at WisBusiness.com:
http://www.wisbusiness.com/
— Gov. Jim Doyle will unveil the state Tourism Department’s new brand on March 4 at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva at the 2008 Governor’s Conference on Tourism.
Officials said the new brand – which has been months in the making – will serve as the basis for all of Wisconsin’s marketing communications and key messaging from state agencies including the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Commerce and other departments.
The conference is expected to draw more than 1,000 representatives from Wisconsin’s travel and hospitality industry. Tourism is Wisconsin’s third-largest industry – after agriculture and manufacturing – and generated nearly $13 billion in traveler spending in 2006.
— Wauwatosa Holdings Inc., the parent company of Wauwatosa Savings Bank, reported this week that its net income declined substantially in the fourth quarter and for the full year of 2007.
The company’s fourth-quarter net income shrunk to $307,000, or 1 cent per share, from $2.3 million, or 7 cents per share, in the same period a year ago, as the company incurred an eight-fold increase in its provisions to cover bad loans, according to a filing with the the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission.
See story: http://www.biztimes.com/daily/2008/2/21/#credit-crunch-takes-toll-on-wauwatosa-savings-bank
*****************************************************************
CHECKPOINT POLL QUESTIONS DUE TODAY
If you need to do a quick poll on an issue but can’t afford an entire survey, consider buying a question on the next statewide Checkpoint Survey.
Take advantage of an exclusive discount program for WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com Subscribers.
If you are a WisPolitics or WisBusiness subscriber, you’ll receive a 10 percent discount if you purchase two or more questions in the next monthly Checkpoint survey, a production of Wood Communications Group of Madison. That means the first question costs $900, and subsequent questions are $810 each.
The next survey is due to start Tuesday, Feb. 26, so questions and space reservations are needed BY FRIDAY.
Contact: Wood Communications Group. Call 608-259-0757 or e-mail kdollhopf@wcgpr.com
*****************************************************************
****************************************
THANKS TO OUR WISBUSINESS SPONSORS
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
- Madison Gas & Electric
- University Research Park
- Wipfli
- Wisconsin Bankers Association
- Wisconsin Technology Council
****************************************
QUICK LINKS
Use these links to jump directly to a news summary topic
Technology | Biotech | Economy | Manufacturing | Labor | Small Business | Investing | Real Estate | Agribusiness | Transportation | Retail | Regulation | Tourism | Utilities | Health Care | Financial Services | Management | Business Columns |
Press Releases
2008 McDonald’s(R) All American Basketball Games Team Rosters Revealed
Avaya Unified Communications Solutions Help Healthcare Organizations Address Multi-Site, Mobile Workforce Challenges
Barbara Beck, Manpower Inc. President of EMEA Region, Named One of PINK Magazine’s Top 15 Women in Business for 2008
Genetic Pathway Critical to Disease, Aging Found
Governor Announces $325,000 Brownfield Grant to RKB Enterprises, LLC
Governor Doyle Announces Funding for Applied Data Consultants
Governor Doyle Announces Funding for New Storm Sewer and Retention Pond in Waushara County
overnor Doyle Presents Design and Construction Awards
Governor Doyle Requests Federal Emergency Snow Assistance
Great Wolf Resorts Reports Fourth Quarter 2007 Results
Kelben Foundation makes historic gift to the MACC Fund
Off the Hook: Stronger, Soft-Plastic Fishing Lure Reels in Raves
Office of State Employment Relations Recognizes Enterprise Leadership Academy Graduates in Ceremony
Revenue Department Applauds Senate Action on Streamlined Sales & Use Tax Agreement
Sonic Foundry’s Mediasite Contributes to Villanova University’s College of Engineering Being Named Finalist for IMS Global Learning Consortium 2008 Learning Impact Awards
The Special Addition Birth Center at Shawnee Mission Medical Center Expands Partnership with RF Technologies(R)
Win a Dream Honeymoon at the Walt Disney World(R) Resort from Funjet Vacations
Wisconsin Ethanol Co-product Exports Up 245%
Wisconsin residents recognize e-filing benefits
Wisconsin’s Emergency Health Preparedness Earns High Federal Marks
ZBB Energy Corporation Unveils Commercial Product Name for Zinc Energy Storage Systems at Presentation in Monaco
For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82
TOP STORIES
*************
School Specialty revenues hit high: Firm projects healthy income growth for year… School Specialty reported fiscal 2008 third-quarter revenue of $134.8 million, a 4.7 percent gain from the same 2007 quarter and an all-time high for the period. The company Thursday also reported a net income loss of $20.3 million or loss per share from continuing operations of 95 cents, reflecting the seasonally low period for educational product sales and increased selling, general and administrative expense compared to the previous year. Revenue for the nine-month fiscal 2008 period rose 4.2 percent to a record $914.3 million, the company said.
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080222/APC03/802220660/1888/APCbusiness
Making a splash: New MMSD operator Veolia giving $1.5 million to UWM’s Great Lakes WATER Research Institute… Veolia Water SA of France, one of the world’s biggest water-technology companies, spends $50 million a year to develop ways to clean wastewater in a world beset by water shortages. And starting soon, it plans to be spending a share of its research-and-development budget in Milwaukee. The company, a newcomer to the city, will give a $1.5 million research grant to the Great Lakes WATER Research Institute, an arm of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, company officials said. The North American division of the Paris company entered the city in December, when it won a $400 million, multi-year contract…
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=720808
Cranberry grower lawsuit prompts new bill to protect farmers: Now that a lawsuit against a Sawyer County cranberry producer filed by the state’s justice department may finally be over, a central Wisconsin lawmaker is trying to pass a bill to make sure such a scenario doesn’t happen again. State Rep. Mary Williams of Medford is authoring a measure that would prohibit the Department of Justice from bringing an action to enjoin a public nuisance if the alleged activity is not in violation of a statute, rule, permit or ordinance. According to the Wisconsin Farm Bureau, who defended William Zawistowski for allegedly polluting area waterways by discharging phosphorous into an area lake, the bill would also requires a court to award the defendant for their costs and expenses–if the court determines that the defendant’s activity was not a public nuisance.
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=236&yr=2008
Bill worries state wineries: Law would restrict direct sales to stores… State legislation that would create new restrictions on how wineries sell their vintages has again been introduced, and Wisconsin winery owners are again worried about the effects it might have on their businesses. The bill, SB 485, requires larger wineries, which produce over 25,000 gallons annually, to sell their wines to wholesale distributors, which then sell the wines to restaurants, taverns, liquor stores and other retailers. Wineries that produce less than 25,000 gallons annually may instead form cooperatives, which would then act as wholesalers to sell the wines to retailers.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=720804
************************************************************
WISBUSINESS FEATURED COLUMNISTS
– GREGG HOFFMANN: Contributor, WisBusiness.com
– TOM STILL: President, Wisconsin Technology Council
– JENNIFER SERENO: Senior manager, Wood Communications Group
– STEVE JAGLER: Executive editor, Small Business Times
– TOM BURZINSKI: IT executive and consultant
************************************************************
TECHNOLOGY (back to top)
– State warns of malicious e-mail
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/273687
– Wi-Fi in Appleton feasible, report says
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080222/APC0101/802220668/1003/APCnews
BIOTECH (back to top)
– Burrill offers tough take on biotech
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/273676
– First for county: Recyclable billboards
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/273757
– AT&T service restoration taking days
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=720801
ECONOMY (back to top)
– School Specialty reports wider 3Q loss
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/02/18/daily31.html?surround=lfn
– China’s costs rising
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/273756
MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– Greenheck recalls gas-fired furnaces
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/02/18/daily37.html?surround=lfn
– Bucyrus chief Sullivan elected chairman of United Way
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/02/18/daily26.html?surround=lfn
LABOR (back to top)
– Landscaper certification loses traction
http://www.dailyreporter.com/item.cfm?recid=20047929&snippet=t&forward=%2Fitem%2Ecfm%3Frecid%3D20047929%26snippet%3Df
– Project would link parolees to work
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=720809
SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– Boom in businesses going to the dogs
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/273755
– Early morning fire guts Kenosha restaurant, drives 18 from their homes
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=720902
INVESTING (back to top)
– There’s plenty of capital, investor says
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=720805
– M&I unit invests in small-business banking firm
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/02/18/daily28.html?surround=lfn
REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– Realtors see cause for optimism in local property values
http://www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2008/Feb_08/02212008_15.asp
AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– State dairy exports booming
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/273655
– Revised 2007 Milk Production Report Confirms Near-Record
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=238&yr=2008
– Fertilizer, seeding costs increasing
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080222/GPG03/802220573/1247/GPGbusiness
– Organic producers struggle to keep pace with rising demand
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/02/22/news/01lead.txt
TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
– State Patrol faulted in report on Interstate storm traffic jam
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/273634
– Doyle apologizes to motorists stranded on highway
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/273612
RETAIL (back to top)
– Piled high at the body shop
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/273746
– Local retailers unfazed by fears of looming national recession
http://www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2008/Feb_08/02212008_17.asp
REGULATION (back to top)
– Bill preserves Do Not Call list
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080222/GPG0101/802220609/1207/GPGnews
– Advocates: Wisconsin will have smokefree workplaces
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/02/22/news/03smoke0222.txt
– DNR adds 3 area creeks to impaired waters list
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080222/GPG0101/802220608/1207/GPGnews
– County may back off sprawl limits
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/02/22/news/zz02sprawl22.txt
TOURISM (back to top)
– New EcoPark director: Moving forward, fundraising key
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/02/22/news/04park0222.txt
UTILITIES (back to top)
– How to power city’s future
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/273744
– Water Utility must tread a bit longer
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/273673
– Waukesha still pursuing town land for two wells
http://www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2008/Feb_08/02222008_03.asp
– Madison’s Alliant hits coal-plant blockade
http://www.dailyreporter.com/item.cfm?recid=20047932&snippet=t&forward=%2Fitem%2Ecfm%3Frecid%3D20047932%26snippet%3Df
HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– Affinity earns top care honor
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080222/APC03/802220666/1028/APCbusiness
– Mental-health advocates seek better coverage
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080222/GPG0101/802220612/1207/GPGnews
FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– Many happy returns: UW student donating tax service fee
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/273614
– Free income tax assistance offered at college’s Green Bay location
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080222/GPG03/802220575/1247/GPGbusiness
– Wauwatosa Savings Bank profit plunges
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/02/18/daily34.html?surround=lfn
MANAGEMENT (back to top)
– ThedaCare CEO takes new job
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080222/APC0101/802220665/1003/APCnews
– Conference in Green Bay to focus on entrepreneurs
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080222/GPG03/802220574/1247/GPGbusiness
– Bradley Center may sell naming rights
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=720886
BUSINESS COLUMNS (back to top)
– John Oncken: Dairy farming, California style, is here to stay
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/273658
– Jacque Georgia: Drop in home sale prices affects appraisals
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080222/GPG07/802220576/1247/GPGbusiness
Media Partners
—Channel3000
—Small Business Times
—Madison Magazine
—BusinessWeek
National Business Roundups ( back to top)
–YAHOO FINANCE: http://finance.yahoo.com/
–CNBC BUSINESS NEWS: http://www.cnbc.com
–ABC BUSINESS NEWS: http://abcnews.go.com/sections/business/
–GOOGLE NEWS: http://news.google.com/news/en/us/business.html
(c)2008 WisBusiness.com.
All rights reserved. Reproduction or retransmission of this publication, in whole or in part, without the express permission of WisBusiness.com is prohibited. Unauthorized reproduction violates United States copyright law (17 USC 101 et seq.), as does retransmission by facsimile or any other electronic means, including electronic mail.
