Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) Washington, D.C. fly-in

Alliance staff and members participated in the second annual Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) D.C.-fly-in last week, when more than 45 Wisconsin business leaders took their voices to Washington D.C. The visit included briefings at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), a White House tour and meeting with U.S. Secretary of Labor Alex Acosta and meetings with Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, Senator Tammy Baldwin, Senator Ron Johnson and House Speaker Paul Ryan.

Secretary Acosta talked about focusing on an “earn and learn” approach that would increase the number of people nationwide in both Youth Apprenticeships and Registered Apprenticeships. Secretary Acosta’s task force on apprenticeships is focusing on a more industry-driven approach that allows employer collaborative groups to set requirements, necessary skills and outcomes. Next steps are expected to be announced this spring.

Several discussions centered around the administration’s recently introduced infrastructure proposal, which suggests using $200 billion in federal dollars to generate $1.5 trillion through local and private investments. The infrastructure proposal focused on public-private partnerships and an emphasis on local and state funding to leverage investments. Among other things, the infrastructure package proposes lifting a ban on tolling, which would allow each state to make a decision about tolling at the state level and also suggests streamlining and improving the permitting process.

Contact Amanda Payne, VP of public policy, at apayne@waukesha.org to learn more.