FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 31, 2003
CONTACT: Sen. Panzer
PHONE: (608) 266-7513

PANZER APPLAUDS SIGNING OF BILL THAT KILLS JOBS TAX
Senate GOP Proposed, Promoted, and Passed Bill That will Create Jobs

MILWAUKEE - Senate Majority Leader Mary Panzer (R-West Bend) says the signing of a bill today to abolish the state’s jobs tax means more businesses will create more jobs in Wisconsin.

Panzer attended the bill signing ceremony for Senate Bill 197 (SB 197) at the Harley Davidson Corporate Headquarters in Milwaukee. The bill repeals the jobs tax, which taxes multi-state companies for creating jobs in Wisconsin.

“I’m thrilled we can now move closer to stimulating Wisconsin’s economy and creating the jobs our state so desperately needs,” said Panzer. “By eliminating the jobs tax, we’ve removed a barrier to doing business here. Now we can truly say, Wisconsin is open for business.”

The law signed today abolishes the system whereby multi-state companies doing business in Wisconsin were taxed based on their sales, payroll, and property value, and institutes a single sales factor for corporate income taxes. The single sales factor is used in many surrounding states.

Panzer commended the author of SB 197, Senator Cathy Stepp (R-Racine).

“Senator Stepp’s leadership in getting this bill passed so quickly in a bipartisan fashion will ensure that we protect our jobs, recruit businesses to create even more jobs, and send the message that we invite future investment to Wisconsin,” said Panzer.

Panzer says the single sales factor bill is just part of the pro-business agenda Senate Republicans are pushing this year. Panzer says lawmakers also approved utility siting legislation which will create an incentive for communities to allow critical electricity generation.

“Senator Ron Brown (R-Eau Claire) took the lead on utility siting,” said Panzer. “He understands electricity generation will power Wisconsin’s economic recovery. It’s another initiative Republicans were proud to pass to help get our economy back on track.”