'We need some help': Contingent makes case for Janesville
Roadmap
Forward Janesville has four priorities in its legislative roadmap for 2009:
-- Expanding Interstate 39/90 to six lanes from Madison to the stateline to avoid traffic bottlenecks, boost economic development and increase safety. Illinois is nearing completion of a similar project south of Beloit.
-- Allowing municipalities to pool revenue from existing Tax Increment Finance districts to help retain a large regional employer or attract other companies. Forward Janesville also would like an amendment to TIF law to allow for the reduction of a TIF district's base value when property is demolished to make way for a redevelopment project.
-- Enhancing Wisconsin's economic development competitiveness by making state tax credits portable, refundable or saleable. For some businesses, the tax credits are meaningless. Distribution or warehouse companies, for example, don't make or sell a product and therefore have no state income state tax liabilities.
-- Designating Janesville as a Development Opportunity Zone, which would allow special tax credits for job creation and capital investment.
Photo Gallery
MADISON — Supposedly on the phone and departing soon for an engagement in Kickapoo, Sen. Dan Kapanke popped out of his office, looked at a contingent from Janesville and said: "Oh, man!"
The La Crosse Republican then asked the visitors in, even though he acknowledged none of them could vote for him.
The scene in Kapanke's office was played out in lawmakers' offices throughout the state Capitol on Wednesday. Forward Janesville and J.P. Cullen & Sons sponsored the first-ever "Janesville Day in Madison."
A contingent of about 50 people represented Forward Janesville, the city, the county and other organizations and businesses.
In the last two years, the Janesville area has lost about 6,000 jobs. Its 13 percent unemployment rate is the highest in the state by a considerable margin. That was a message that organizers wanted to deliver in person.
After briefings with Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan and state Reps. Kim Hixson and Chuck Benedict, the group broke up into 10 smaller groups to sweep the Capitol and meet with available lawmakers or leave information in their absence.
The group's focus centered on Forward Janesville's "Roadmap to Janesville's Future," a four-point list of economic development priorities.
Priorities include:
-- Widening of Interstate 90/39 to six lanes between Madison and the state line.
-- Reforming Tax Increment Financing law.
-- Making state tax credits portable, refundable or saleable.
-- Designating Janesville as a Development Opportunity Zone, which would allow $10 million in special tax credits for job creation and capital investment.
Before Kapanke's visitors could launch into their review of the priorities, the senator asked how Janesville was faring with the loss of General Motors.
"We're in a world of hurt," replied John Beckord, Forward Janesville's president. "We need some help."
Beckord and his group outlined how each of the organization's four priorities would help Janesville as well as other communities struggling through economic downturns.
Each group had about 13 lawmakers to call on, and each was told in advance the allotted time would average about nine minutes per visit.
Forty minutes beyond that average, Beckord and his group wrapped up its first visit. The lengthy talk was a combination of Beckord's eloquence on the topics and Kapanke's interest, which seemed genuine.
"We can talk about all the great things in this state—our education, how we take care of our elderly, our quality of life—but if we aren't creating private sector jobs, it will all level off," Kapanke said.
Twenty minutes later, the group emerged from a meeting with Sen. Jon Erpenbach, who agreed the Interstate needs to be widened and said the group's other priorities merited discussion.
"Believe me, all of us in this building are very much aware of what's happened in Janesville," Erpenbach said.
But being aware and providing support are two different things.
None of Forward Janesville's four priorities are in the form of state legislation.
Dan Cunningham, the Forward Janesville vice president who organized the event, said that could be the next step.
"It really exceeded my expectations," Cunningham said. "I'm hearing stories from groups who spent an hour and 20 minutes in one office, legislators who said, ‘I want to write your bills.'
"The lawmakers were ready to talk to us, and I think that speaks to the importance of what's going on in the Janesville area."
Apr 17, 2009 at 11:19 a.m.
Suggest removal
Huh? Janesville's state rep is the Assembly Speaker, he ought to be able to push through just about anything for Rock County's benefit. There's really no need to do this lobby day. I've heard that Sheridan has yet to grasp the responsibilities and powers that come with being the Speaker. This story seems to confirm that.
Mar 27, 2009 at 7:47 a.m.
Suggest removal
I will never fault anyone for trying to help out their community. This group did the right thing, converge on the capitol, talk to as many lawmakers as possible, and best of all, have a plan. I have very little faith in our state lawmakers, even though Mike Sheridan could draft and propose a new law and have it up for a vote in the Assembly in two days.
As far as a viable, profitable rail system in Janesville, at this point I don't see much logic behind that idea. The majority of people in Janesville do not look at buses or trains as daily modes of transportation, I liken it to the Metric System. We are the only country in the world using the Standard System, why, because we are comfortable and accustomed. Janesville train is the Metric Metra.
Mar 26, 2009 at 10:37 p.m.
Suggest removal
"If you do want to talk rail, biggirl, I actually think a better investment would be a trolley from downtown Janesville out to the 14/26 shopping zone."
WOW!!!
I would normally ask..'are you serious?'..but I think he is.
Mar 26, 2009 at 3:14 p.m.
Suggest removal
biggirl, I see your point but in a post-automobile and high-transportation-cost economy I don't see the benefit in turning Janesville into a Madison exurb. We're much better situated as a manufacturing center than for a bedroom community.
.
I love rail too, but I see a Janesville-Madison connector as distinctly secondary to a Madison-Milwaukee-Chicago connector, or even a Dane County commuter rail system. Maybe if Illinois were showing any interest in a Chicago-Rockford line. (But Metra never really showed any interest in extending to Clinton let alone Janesville.) By the same token I'm not a particular fan of continuing to dump money into the Interstate highway system, but we probably have to at least maintain our investment in it for the next couple of generations.
.
Janesville faces two dilemmas right now. The first is the overall economy, which is bad everywhere, and means that ready investment is not at hand. Note that even some of the companies that have announced expansion in Janesville are being cautious. The second is the GM and auto industry departure, which is probably permanent and represents opportunity as much as challenge. We have tremendous infrastructure ready to be rehabilitated and reused, mainly the GM plant itself, but also outlier light industrial. I do believe that as the economy in general improves in 2010 and beyond we'll see some jobs coming back to Janesville, both some that left and others that are simply looking for a good workforce in a good location.
.
As such continued investment in infrastructure, starting with the Interstate and the Opportunity Zone, really makes a lot of sense. I'm more skeptical of the direct benefit of the TIF and tax reforms, personally, as they won't impact Janesville as specifically even if they really do help investment statewide.
.
If you do want to talk rail, biggirl, I actually think a better investment would be a trolley from downtown Janesville out to the 14/26 shopping zone. The city would need to commit to higher development density along such a line to make it worthwhile, and it would dovetail with the sustainability and farmland preservation concerns recently expressed. Anyway, that's in my "never happen" file.
Mar 26, 2009 at 2:10 p.m.
Suggest removal
big girl - then we can all assume you are out there do your part to get this plan rolling. This group of people are walking the talk not just talking!
Mar 26, 2009 at 12:13 p.m.
Suggest removal
I applaud their efforts to bring Janesville's current economic problems to the attention of the state government and hope that the contingent plans more dialogue at regular intervals in the future. The squeaky wheel always gets the oil. I also agree that a low cost rail system connecting Janesville to Madison would be beneficial to both communities for purposes of commuting, health care, shopping. In these tough economic times, not everyone is able to afford second cars. The savings in registration, insurance and vehicle maintenance would be considerable for each individual, but I understand that it would cost the state and local governments megabucks to make it a reality. The current expansion of Madison does not appear to favor a southerly route which is a big negative for Janesville. Even though it would seem plausible to be a more convenient central corridor serving residents of both eastern and western Wisconsin, the state has chosen a route to connect Minnesota/Madison/Milwaukee/Chicago. The state has collected large sums of money (taxes) in past years when Janesville was a roaring industrial community, but there is no clear direction from Madison regarding what to do with the steeply rising unemployment situation. Will Janesville become the recepticle for Madison to tinkle in or will the State begin to recognize Janesville as a viable community to plant the seeds for growth and prosperity.
Mar 26, 2009 at 10:43 a.m.
Suggest removal
biggirl- That is the point of expanding a road that already exists. This would be a cheaper alternative to putting in a rail system at this time.
Mar 26, 2009 at 10:37 a.m.
Suggest removal
I also greatly appreciate these efforts, but none of them are innovative. If we had affordable rail from here to Madison, we would do more for our area than anything proposed here. Madison still has some of the highest housing prices in the area and some of the highest taxes. We have low house prices and a nice environment. Trying to make it easy to commute from one area to the other both for businesses and individuals would help us tap into the greater Madison economy.
Mar 26, 2009 at 10:23 a.m.
Suggest removal
justmyopinion48- I couldn't agree with you more. It's great to see concerned people in the community trying to make a difference and get things done. Getting the ball rolling so to speak.
Mar 26, 2009 at 10:13 a.m.
Suggest removal
I deeply appreciate the commitment and concern exhibited by this group of people to present Janesville and Rock County's needs to our legislators. It is encouraging and refreshing to see a group of people who are pro-active and well informed and offer viable solutions. Let's just pray that their efforts are met with some equally solid responses. Hats off!
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.