(WisBusiness) TUES News Summary — 18 Nov. 2008

From WisBusiness.com …

— The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce board of directors has unanimously approved moving forward with a lawsuit to stop a new ordinance that would require all employers in the City of Milwaukee to provide a minimum number of sick leave days for employees.

See the MMAC press release:

http://www.wisbusiness.com/1008/large/081117MMACsickleave.pdf

— Just one week after Dairyland Power Cooperative suspended plans for a coal ash landfill in Vernon County, state regulators rejected a plan to build a new coal-fired power plant in southwestern Wisconsin.

Environmentalists opposed the project. An environmental impact statement prepared by the PSC and the Department of Natural Resources for the Cassville plant stated that emissions from the plant were likely to cause or worsen violations of ozone and fine particulate standards.

PSC Chairman Eric Callisto said the project looked too expensive and the emissions control proposals would not offset the plant’s pollution. He suggested Alliant buy power from elsewhere or consider natural gas-fired plants.

WisBusiness columnist Gregg Hoffmann writes that this decision, coupled with Dairyland Power’s decision truly demonstrates that people in western Wisconsin, ranging from citizens to company execs and regulators, have become more serious about seeking alternative energy.

Read Hoffmann’s new column:

http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=202

****************************************
THANKS TO OUR WISBUSINESS SPONSORS

****************************************

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
· Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection: Getting started in goat dairying? New guide offers help
· Dept. of Natural Resources: Rosendale Dairy EIS scoping process
· Milwaukee Press Club: Newsmaker luncheon to focus on future of MPS
· Rosendale Dairy: Committed to environment and economic development
· Visuality: Expands its in-house talent

For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82


TOP STORIES
*************
Coalition wants stronger control of Great Lakes water: A coalition of environmental groups wants to amend a recently enacted Great Lakes water management compact, contending it has loopholes that could enable water grabs by multinational corporations. The groups kicked off their campaign Sunday in Traverse City, led by Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation. Their attorney, Jim Olson, said Congress should reword the pact or enact a bill to make clear that water is a publicly owned resource and not a commercial product. As ratified by the eight Great Lakes states and Congress, he said, the compact opens the door for outsiders to demand access to the region’s waters under international trade laws.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20081118/GPG0101/811180556/1207

Hunting stores fare well before gun-deer season: Financial woes haven’t driven hunters away from a fall tradition. Hunting stores in Fond du Lac County report strong sales, some places faring better than last year. Archery season provided a business boost earlier this fall, but gun deer season is now on every business owner’s mind. Hunters will take to the woods on Saturday, Nov. 22. The gun season ends Sunday, Nov. 30. The staples, like new and used guns, cases and camouflage and blaze orange clothes, are hot this time of year, said Ken Candee, owner of Bill’s Sporting Goods of Lomira.
http://www.fdlreporter.com/article/20081118/FON0101/811180348/1289

Big Three get chance to make case: The leaders of Detroit’s carmakers will testify in Washington today about why they want a federal financial rescue, amid concern in some quarters that giving $25 billion in loans to the Big Three is throwing good taxpayer money after bad. The chief executives and the head of the United Auto Workers union will appear before the U.S. Senate, as lawmakers grapple with whether to extend loans to the auto industry or risk that General Motors Corp. or Chrysler would file for bankruptcy. Congressional Democrats and the Bush administration appeared headed for a stalemate over a rescue after the White House signaled it would not support using funds from the $700 billion Wall Street bailout for the auto industry.
http://www.jsonline.com/business/34626549.html

MMAC will sue to block sick leave mandate: The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce board of directors Monday unanimously authorized a legal challenge to the city of Milwaukee’s new ordinance mandating paid sick leave. City of Milwaukee voters on Nov. 4 overwhelmingly approved a referendum to enact an ordinance within 10 days of the election that would require all employers to provide paid sick leave benefits of up to 72 hours per year to employees who work within the city’s geographic boundaries. The MMAC had previously filed a notice of claim with the city of Milwaukee that highlighted the unlawful aspects of the ordinance approved by voters. The business group called the ordinance “legally flawed” and said the law would drive businesses and jobs out of the city.
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/11/17/daily9.html

Related:
– Commerce association to challenge sick-day ordinance
http://www.jsonline.com/business/34623929.html

Schneider expands global operations: Schneider Logistics Inc., a logistics division of Green Bay trucking firm Schneider National Inc., said Monday that it has opened five new freight forwarding offices to expand its global business. The firm opened new U.S. freight forwarding offices in Chicago, Atlanta and New York City, and European offices in Rotterdam and Amsterdam. Schneider said approximately 70 percent of the freight handled in Rotterdam and Amsterdam is destined for, or originates from, other European countries. In the U.S., East Coast and midland port demand is on the rise as companies look to diversify their predominantly West Coast options for points of delivery, Schneider said.
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/11/17/daily5.html

UW-Madison Chancellor Seeks To Build Relationship With WMC: University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin said that she’s building a relationship with the state’s largest business group, which her predecessor has slammed as an impediment to economic development. Martin said that she’s had separate meetings with the board of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce and its president, Jim Haney. She said that she’s tried to focus on their common interests.
http://www.channel3000.com/education/18000077/detail.html?rss=c3k&psp=news

American Family to cut 160 contractual workers: American Family Insurance is cutting 160 contractual workers in information technology services in Madison due to slower business conditions. Company spokesman Steve Witmer said the cutback scheduled for mid-December will not affect customer service or the company’s core business functions but will slow down less-critical projects. After the reduction, Witmer said, American Family will have 300 contractual and about 1,000 full-time information technology employees. The contractual workers work for vendor companies.
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/314777

************************************************************
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)
– Investor group wants changes at TomoTherapy
http://www.jsonline.com/newswatch/34666414.html

– Media firm advances beyond traditional services
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/11/17/smallb1.html?b=1226898000^1733763

– Spammers sent packing — for now — by Web shutdown
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/314820

ECONOMY (back to top)
– Economist survey: Recession is on, slow growth ahead
http://www.bizjournals.com/ct/rc/30414/www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/11/17/daily6.html

– Aid prospects darken for desperate U.S. automakers
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20081118/OSH0101/81117174/1128

MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– NewPage machine catches fire in Wisconsin Rapids
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20081118/WDH0101/811180647/1581

– Blaze contained on Wauwatosa Harley plant’s roof
http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/34583474.html

LABOR (back to top)
– Construction slump forces architecture firms to cut jobs
http://www.jsonline.com/business/34624334.html

SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– Middleton’s Colonial Motel to take a room in history
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/314789

– University of Wisconsin marks Global Entrepreneurship Week
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/314779

INVESTING (back to top)
– Investors in Wisconsin have big stake in stocks
http://www.jsonline.com/business/34623924.html

REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– Milwaukee: Site for new downtown hotel sells for $2.5 million
http://www.jsonline.com/business/34585224.html

– Stevens Point postpones downtown development decisions
http://www.stevenspointjournal.com/article/20081118/SPJ0101/811180651/1657

– Madison: East side entertainment complex plan hits snag
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/314806

– Officials Warn Some Homeowners Might Not Get Flooding Buyouts
http://www.channel3000.com/news/18002379/detail.html?rss=c3k&psp=news

– Greenstreet maintains city role with new UWM post
http://www.bizjournals.com/ct/rc/30414/www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/11/17/daily8.html

– WHEDA announces rural loan fund
http://www.bizjournals.com/ct/rc/30414/www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/11/17/daily7.html

AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– Rosendale Dairy must clear one more hurdle
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20081118/OSH0101/811180394/1128

TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
– Falling gasoline prices ease strains on wallets
http://www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com/article/20081118/WRT0101/811180639/1806

– Wausau pump prices drop below $2 per gallon at some gas stations
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20081118/WDH0101/811180614/1581

– 900-car parking garage to rise at Pabst site
http://www.jsonline.com/business/34585854.html

RETAIL (back to top)
– Looking for comfort and corporate responsibility, college students buy American
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/314445

– Grand Chute’s Fox River Mall traffic snarls remain
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20081118/APC0101/811180427/1004

– Postal prices to increase in January
http://www.bizjournals.com/ct/rc/30414/www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/11/17/daily4.html

– Economy slows Middleton Doll sales
http://www.bizjournals.com/ct/rc/30414/www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/11/17/daily3.html

– Trade firm narrows net loss
http://www.bizjournals.com/ct/rc/30414/www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/11/17/daily2.html

REGULATION (back to top)
– Lawmakers to seek ban on BPA
http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/watchdogreports/34623239.html

TOURISM (back to top)
– Sheboygan: Macker tournament to stay at Deland in 2009
http://www.sheboygan-press.com/article/20081118/SHE0101/811180461/1062

UTILITIES (back to top)
– Madison Water Utility to seek significant rate increase(s)
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/top5/314759

HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– Logistics Health blames feds for delays in aid to 9/11 responders
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/314807

– Aspirus oncologists to offer care in Point
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20081118/WDH0101/811180646/1581

– UW Hospital To Unveil Plans For Couples Fertility Clinic
http://www.channel3000.com/news/18003621/detail.html?rss=c3k&psp=news

MANAGEMENT (back to top)
– Forbes editor to discuss business ethics in Milwaukee
http://www.biztimes.com/daily/2008/11/17/forbes-editor-to-discuss-business-ethics-in-milwaukee

BUSINESS COLUMNS (back to top)
– Any bailout for Detroit should come with oversight
http://www.biztimes.com/blogs/milwaukee-biz-blog/2008/11/17/any-bailout-for-detroit-should-come-with-oversight

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.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR