Issues

Health Care Reform
The rising cost of health care is our members’ most significant cost of doing business concern. Health care costs are a significant factor in the competitiveness of Wisconsin business. We must focus our cost containment efforts on re-engaging consumers in health care decisions, improving quality and reducing unnecessary and/or inappropriate treatment.

If national health care reform leads to increased taxes for Wisconsin’s employers, those new costs must be offset by reforms here at home.  We must look for reforms that reduce the high cost of health care in Wisconsin, including mandate and tax relief, and more efficient, technologically advanced delivery of health care service. We must encourage the growth of consumer-oriented options such as Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs). When considering health care reforms proposal in Washington, our representatives need to remember that you can’t make something more affordable buy making it more expensive.

Today, we have the opportunity to create a health care system for the future – building on what works and fixing what’s broken.

Economic Development
Private sector investment is the key to retaining business and employment, and fostering new economic growth in Wisconsin.  The Advocacy Council supports reforms that help improve the overall economic and investment climate in Wisconsin by reducing significant state-imposed business costs, including state and local taxes, energy, health care, workers’ compensation and others.  A more competitive business climate is key for additional investment and growth in all economic sectors.  In addition, The Advocacy Council supports targeted incentive programs that support investment and growth in significant, high value sectors including manufacturing, technology and others, and that offset especially high in-state costs, including property tax relief and reduced energy costs, that impact business competitiveness.  Finally, we support programs to promote research and innovation, and that help Wisconsin develop and retain our high quality, high skilled workforce.

Education
The Heart of the Valley Chamber believes that our community’s future is dependent on a strong, viable public school system.  A world-class education system from kindergarten to college or technical school is essential if Wisconsin business and industry is to remain competitive in the global economy.  We need to pursue basic changes in the way we structure and deliver education in this state to include measuring outcomes, improving accountability, rewarding excellence and encouraging innovation. The Chamber supports the establishment of tax incentives to encourage the expansion of employer-sponsored education and training opportunities in the workplace, as well as in our colleges, universities and technical schools.

Energy
The Heart of the Valley Chamber supports increasing and diversifying America's energy supply, while utilizing proven energy sources. We support policies to ensure a diversified fuel mix to manage energy price and supply risks for consumers, as the U.S. cannot rely on any one source of energy to meet the future electricity demands. The Chamber supports increasing energy efficiency and modifying the regulatory framework to align incentives for utility provision of energy efficiency. We oppose legislation that would place American businesses at a competitive disadvantage in the global marketplace and support reducing the environmental impact of energy consumption and production including the research, development and commercialization of carbon capture and sequestration technology.  Access to a secure supply of competitively priced energy is essential to maintain a strong Wisconsin economy.

The decisions that our political leadership makes on energy in the coming years will affect Americans for generations to come.  Future generations deserve the proper far-sighted decisions that will keep America secure, clean and prosperous.

Labor and Workplace
Wage and benefit mandates and other employment regulations drive up costs and affect the ability of Wisconsin business to compete in national and international markets.  The Heart of the Valley Chamber believes we need to reduce this regulatory burden by establishing state/federal consistency wherever possible and by streamlining the administration and enforcement of these laws in Wisconsin.