Wisconsin industry leaders weigh in on election results

BYLINE: Joe Grundle

While Tuesday's election's shift of power made waves across the country, Wisconsin contractor and business organizations weighed in on state results. Many were intrigued by the seemingly contradictory results for referendums and candidates with conservatives carrying the referendums while Democrats retained the governor's office, took over the state Senate and gained ground in the Assembly, and it was no different within the industry. "Everyone thinks there are so many Republicans and so many Democrats here, but I think a lot of Wisconsinites look at the issues, and candidates and are a lot more thoughtful than people give them credit for," said Jim Boullion, director of Government Affairs for the Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin. Jim Pugh, spokesman for Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, had a slightly different take, although he agreed with Boullion that Wisconsin got caught up in the national wave of voter discontent over the war and the Bush administration.

"I think the voters sent a mixed signal," Pugh said. "Partisan control changed in the Senate, but the Assembly remained a pro-business caucus and Van Hollen was a huge win for business. "I don't think Wisconsin voters woke up one day more liberal, as much as they woke up dissatisfied with the way things are. Since more Republicans were in office, more were voted out. " Impact on roadsTerry McGowan, business manager for Operating Engineers Local 139, Pewaukee, was less concerned about national opinion than how the new state government would effect infrastructure construction. "I guess the popular opinion is that this was a referendum on the war, but here in Wisconsin, we were very driven by the infrastructure agenda," McGowan said. "Good roads and infrastructure are essential to a good economy, but there were some Republicans in the Legislature that did not see it that way. " McGowan was busting with joy over Gov. Jim Doyle's re-election. "I'm very glad to see Doyle back in office," he said. "A lot of people in our union were skeptical of him, as he's had to make some unpopular decisions. But I feel he has a plan and will come through for us. He knows we have already swallowed our pill (transportation budget cuts), and it wouldn't have done us any good idea to take him out before he could finish his work. "And I can't tell you how happy we are about the Dems taking over the Senate. " Split Legislature

But the big question on everyone's mind is how the new Legislature will work together. "It all depends on the personalities of the party leadership, and I think we will soon be able to determine the mood of each caucus judging by how they pick their leaders. " As a result of the split Legislature, Boullion does not foresee major changes in policy happening any time soon. "I don't think there will be much proactive legislation for or against the construction industry," he said. "We might be able to get minor tax law changes and incremental regulatory reform, but I don't think there will be a major shift. "I hate to say it, but gridlock isn't always the worst thing either, as only the issues everyone agrees on will go through. " Pugh agreed that policy changes will likely be minor and only those in the best interest of both parties will pass. "A bipartisan government forces consensus and that will lead to stability, which is good for business," he said. "There will not be massive swings in policy. " Taxes

When it comes to economic development, the word of the day was taxes. "If the Legislature can keep taxes down, economic development should move forward," said Boullion. "One issue that was in several proposed taxpayers bill of rights I don't see getting passed is the element of going to referendum for every public construction project. Those automatic restrictions would be tough for contractors to deal with, but I don't think that's going to happen now. " Pugh said if the economy continues to grow, construction will grow with it. "We lagged behind in manufacturing construction these last few years only because we had too much plant capacity after the recession," he said, "but that will ramp up if Wisconsin can fix its fairly high tax burden and aggressive regulatory climate. "Doyle needs to work with the Legislature to improve the climate so businesses can expand. We all benefit when businesses grow and people have jobs. " McGowan cited the election of Sen. Russ Decker, D-Schofield, as a positive for road builders and praised Doyle for pushing forward his energy bill. "Doyle's been good with a lot of new construction," he said. "When (the energy projects) dry up, our bread and butter is still heavy and highway projects. "With good roads, our economy will expand further, not only for construction but for all business. "