The Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance has hit $1 billion dollars, which could trigger a lower tax rate schedule for employers beginning in 2017, according to Governor Scott Walker.
Dear NFIB/Wisconsin Member,
1. Governor Says UI Tax Decrease Possible
The Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance has hit $1 billion dollars, which could trigger a lower tax rate schedule for employers beginning in 2017, according to Governor Scott Walker.
There are four rate schedules, the highest tax rate schedule, which was in effect in 2015, is applied when the fund’s cash balance is less than $300 million. The lowest tax rate schedule applies when the fund’s balance exceeds $1.2 billion as of June 30 of the preceding year.
The fund balance has steadily increased as a result of a bump in the taxable wage base, increases in wage amounts to qualify for UI benefits, slightly higher solvency rates paid by employers, adjustments in benefit levels, and a crackdown on UI fraud.
2. Attorney General Briefs Leadership Council with Dose of Reality
Attorney General Brad Schimel brought his “Dose of Reality” campaign to NFIB’s Leadership Council during a recent meeting in Madison. The Department of Justice launched the statewide “Dose of Reality” campaign last fall to bring greater awareness of the challenges posed by the heroin and prescription painkiller abuse epidemic sweeping Wisconsin. The first phase of the campaign was directed to an audience of teenagers, parents and medical professionals.
The second phase of the campaigns is tailored to the business community, and specifically, how employers can provide for early intervention of drug abuse in the workplace. “An employer,” said Attorney General Schimel, “can be a safe place for people to turn to for help or guidance, either for themselves or a family member, and thus can be an opportunity for early intervention.”
According to the Department of Justice, four out of five employers have had to deal with opioid prescription addiction and abuse in their workplace. A 2013 survey sound that over 163,000 adults in Wisconsin were abusing opiates in some manner. To learn more, visit the Dose of Reality website: www.DoseOfRealityWI.gov.
The Attorney General also provided Leadership Council members an update on lawsuits his office is involved with including Voter ID, Right to Work, and legislative redistricting.
3. Tourism Spending Impacts Small Business
The tourism industry dominated by small businesses, has a tremendous impact on the economic health of communities across Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance reports tourism funding increased 4.4% in 2015, a slight decline from an annual spending average of 5.5% during 2010-2014. Visitors to the state spent the most in Milwaukee, Dane, Waukesha, and Brown – the most populous counties in the state. When measured against the resident population of each county, tourists spent more than $10,000 per resident in Sauk, Door, and Adams counties. While the counties coming up short on tourism spending included Calumet, Menominee, Pierce, and Lafayette. Statewide, tourism spending was $2,072 per capita.
Bill G. Smith
State Director
NFIB/Wisconsin
