WisPolitics Budget Blog

16-0 is the vote on the omnibus motion on Commerce.

Labels: Department_of_Commerce, Economic_Development, Wisconsin_Development_Fund

Sen. Jauch said he supports the omnibus before the committee regarding economic development, but said the committee has already blown its opportunity to take up the most important economic development tool - investment in the biofuel industry.

The governor's provision to spend $30 million over the biennium for a renewable energy grant program was deleted by the JFC two weeks ago. (See more here, and here.)

"The bio economy is going to be the new industrial revolution," Jauch said. If the state fails to invest it will "take a backseat to every other state in the nation," he said.

Labels: Department_of_Commerce, Economic_Development, Wisconsin_Development_Fund

Sen. Decker and Rep. Robin Vos, R-Racine, have introduced an omnibus covering budget papers 211-215.

Among the provisions in the motion:

- Adopt alternative 4 in budget paper 211 to provide annual funding of $350,000 GPR for manufacturing extension grants. In addition, provide $1 million GPR to the Wisconsin Development Fund in 07-08 that may be used to create a venture center.

- Reject the governor's recommendation in budget paper 213, and instead place $50,000 GPR in 07-08 and $700,000 in 08-09 in the JFC's supplemental GPR appropriation, with the $50,000 to be released to Forward Wisconsin and the Dept. of Commerce to develop a plan within six months for using the $700,000 to attract businesses to Wisconsin.

- Adopt alternative 1 on paper 214 to restructure the Wisconsin Development Fund. In addition, expand the Wisconsin Development Finance Board to include two legislative members, one appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, one appointed by the Senate Majority Leader, and require that all other appointed members of the board be confirmed by the Senate. Also, delete the mining economic development grants and loans program, the certified capital companies program, recycling rebates program, and brownfields general purpose revenue grant program.

- Adopt alternative 1 on budget paper 215 transferring $1 million in 07-08 and $350,000 in 08-09 from tribal gaming revenue to program revenue repayments.

Labels: Department_of_Commerce, Economic_Development, Wisconsin_Development_Fund

After rejecting a second motion by Jauch on party lines, Decker moves alternative 1 on paper 210.

It is also rejected. With that, the governor's proposal for funding renewable energy grants and loans is removed from the budget.

Labels: renewable_energy_grant_and_loan_program, Wisconsin_Development_Fund