— U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin says new federal legislation would make electric motorcycles more affordable while supporting manufacturers including Harley-Davidson.
The Madison Dem last week introduced the Electric Motorcycle Parity Act alongside U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, a Democrat from Pennsylvania. The bill would add certain qualifying motorcycles to the list of vehicles that qualify for tax credits under the federal Inflation Reduction Act.
In a statement on the bill, Baldwin said the IRA boosts domestic manufacturing while addressing climate change but “left motorcycle riders and our motorcycle manufacturers out of the equation.”
“The Electric Motorcycle Parity Act will support Wisconsin workers and iconic businesses like Harley-Davidson and help give Wisconsinites more choices to buy more affordable, efficient vehicles made by American companies,” she said.
According to the release, the bill is endorsed by Harley-Davidson as well as LiveWire, an electric motorcycle manufacturer first launched as an electric vehicle division of the Milwaukee-based motorcycle business. It has since spun off into a separate entity with headquarters in Milwaukee and California.
“The Electric Motorcycle Parity Act seeks to provide riders of electric motorcycles with the same support provided to drivers of electric cars,” LiveWire President Ryan Morrissey said in Baldwin’s release.
Other supporters include the United Steelworkers and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
See more on the bill: https://www.casey.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/electric_motorcycle_parity_act_one-pager.pdf
See the release: https://www.wispolitics.com/2023/u-s-sens-baldwin-casey-introduce-legislation-to-extend-tax-credits-to-electric-motorcycles
— Wisconsin is expected to receive about $7.5 million through a settlement with Indivior, a Virginia-based pharmaceutical company that makes the opioid addiction treatment Suboxone.
Attorney General Josh Kaul on Friday announced 42 states including Wisconsin have negotiated a $102.5 million settlement with the business after allegations of illegal monopoly tactics.
Under the agreement, Indivior would be required to pay that amount to participating states while also complying with terms including disclosures on citizen petitions to the FDA, any introduction of new products and changes in corporate management.
The state Department of Justice says this will help the states ensure the company “refrains from engaging in the same kind of conduct alleged in the complaint.” According to the DOJ release, the states in 2016 filed a complaint alleging the company illegally switched the Suboxone market from tablets to a film product while “attempting to destroy the market” for tablets.
A trial had been set for September, the release shows.
“I’m proud that Wisconsin DOJ led this significant multistate effort and is bringing this case to a successful conclusion,” Kaul said in a statement. “However long it takes, we will continue to hold companies accountable for alleged anticompetitive activities.”
The agreement will be submitted to a court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, per the release.
<br><b><i>Top headlines from the Health Care Report…</b></i>
— Pediatric services provider Aspire Therapy says it’s expanding into mental health and psychological evaluations, including autism diagnosis.
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— UW officials vow to continue pushing for a new engineering building on the Madison campus after the GOP-controlled Joint Finance Committee left the project out of its $2.3 billion capital budget.
The GOP motion, approved 12-4 along party lines, chopped the $3.8 billion capital budget Dem Gov. Tony Evers had proposed. One of the top targets for cuts was the UW System.
Evers had proposed nearly $1.8 billion in university projects, while the GOP motion included $953.2 million for the campuses.
At Madison, the only project approved was a new $285.2 million football practice facility for the Badgers. Proposed projects at UW-Madison passed over by the committee include $347 million for a new engineering building.
The university has lined up $150 million in gifts for the project, which is projected to increase the number of undergraduate engineering students by at least a thousand and graduate students by at least 500.
President Jay Rothman said the new building is the system’s top priority because “to compete and prosper, we must invest in high-demand programs at all our universities.”
Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin called the decision a “tragedy” for the state because the building would promote Wisconsin’s economic development.
Co-chair Mark Born, R-Beaver Dam, defended the GOP capital budget, saying what Evers proposed was “unrealistic.” He noted the $2.3 billion GOP capital budget is still the largest in at least two decades.
“Like many things, it becomes the job of this committee to right-size it,” Born said. “Right-sizing it this time is still a historic investment that will invest in a number of great projects.”
In a statement Friday, Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce President Zach Brandon called the committee’s decision “beyond disappointing.”
“Wisconsin has faced a workforce shortage largely driven by demographics. Now, for the first time, Wisconsin leads the Midwest in net migration of Gen Z (18-26) adults,” he said. “They are attracted to our quality of life, global innovation and higher-education institutions. There is opportunity, but it will be missed without making the critical investments necessary to sustain this generational momentum.”
JFC also approved spending an additional $45.5 million to promote the state and try to land major events over the next two years.
That pot of money includes $2 million to help the Green Bay Packers put on the 2025 NFL draft.
The money, approved 12-4, would largely be one-time funds. It also includes $10 million that the committee would keep in its supplemental appropriation that could be released at a later date.
See more on both actions in the Budget Blog:
— A Muskego-based manufacturer called Inpro says it plans to add hundreds of jobs in southeastern Wisconsin through two new building expansion projects.
The business makes building products including wall and door protection, signs, elevator interiors and more. Its customers include commercial building clients, architects and designers.
According to the release announcing the projects, expanding will “significantly increase” Inpro’s capacity and help it meet growing demand.
“These projects represent a significant investment in our future, and we are confident that they will help us continue to grow and thrive in the years to come,” CEO Marc Holland said in a statement.
An addition to an existing warehouse is expected to begin construction later this year, with a new office building project slated for 2025. MSI General, a contractor based in Waukesha, will design and construct both projects.
See the release: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/inpro-wisconsin-manufacturers-expansion-to-bring-in-hundreds-of-jobs-to-greater-milwaukee-and-waukesha-areas/
#TOP STORIES#
# Opportunity lost: Do Epic’s extensive work restrictions on former employees stymie entrepreneurial growth in Dane County?
# Wisconsin lawmakers vote to spend $2 million to stage 2025 NFL draft in Green Bay
# Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brothers launch new company
#TOPICS#
# AGRIBUSINESS
– Abnormally dry spring brings potential problems for farmers
– Maximizing crop growth in dry conditions: Expert tips for farmers
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=552&yr=2023
– Maximizing soybean yields: Analyzing planting trends and their impact in Wisconsin
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=553&yr=2023
# ECONOMY
– Wisconsin is home for two of America’s three richest self-made women, and a third with state ties ranks #9
# EDUCATION
– Funding rejected for UW-Madison engineering building project
# ENVIRONMENT
– Wetlands in Wisconsin may fare better than other states after Supreme Court limited federal regulation
# HEALTH CARE
– Maker of anti-addiction drug Suboxone reaches $102.5 million settlement over antitrust claims
# LEGAL
– Lawsuit between Wauwatosa, urban planner moves forward after judge’s signature
# MANAGEMENT
– New Glarus president Deb Carey says brewer preparing succession plan
– Q&A: Toppers new CEO talks leadership, growth strategy
# POLITICS
– Senator pushes for increased funds for Wisconsin farmer mental health resources
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=556&yr=2023
– Republicans won’t fund new UW-Madison engineering hall, broadband expansion
# REAL ESTATE
– With her iconic condo for sale, Milwaukee’s Peg Ann enters a new chapter
– Potawatomi tribe buys 300-acre former Boy Scouts camp in western Waukesha County
# SMALL BUSINESS
– Nighthawk Design Company: Local woodworker creates “true heirloom” furniture
# SPORTS
– Madison Bike Week gears up with over 50 cycling events
– Antetokounmpo family announces formation of parent company Ante, Inc.
– $9 million in state cash for downtown soccer stadium is rejected
# TOURISM
– Discovery World debuts two new exhibits as it returns to being open seven days a week
# PRESS RELEASES
<i>See these and other press releases:
https://www.wisbusiness.com/press-releases/ </i>
