Helping Shape Wisconsin State Government in 2010

Post date: Jan 10, 2011 4:22:30 PM

The Alliance for Regulatory Coordination was active in helping shape Wisconsin state government in 2010. With a focus on the regulatory aspects of the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, the Alliance has been an effective advocate for maintaining Wisconsin's tradition of cohesive building regulatory programs. A brief chronology:

August 25

A possible reorganization of the Wisconsin Department of Commerce is identified as the top concern of ARC members.

September 13

ARC members agree that their respective organizations would likely support keeping the Safety and Buildings and Environmental and Regulatory Services Divisions together.

October 12

ARC members decide to develop draft recommendations concerning the future location of the regulatory programs of the Department of Commerce.

November 4

ARC members agree on four draft recommendations regarding the regulatory portions of the Department of Commerce.

November 5

ARC issues a draft white paper recommending the creation of the Department of Safety and Professional Services made up of the Department of Regulation and Licensing and the regulatory portions of the Department of Commerce.

December 9

Meetings with Governor-elect Scott Walker’s Transition Team, concerning reorganization of the Department of Commerce, are summarized by several Alliance members during the fifth meeting of the Alliance. Bill McCoshen, Executive Director of Competitive Wisconsin, Inc., joins the meeting to discuss developments relating to the Commerce reorganization.

December 28

Governor-elect Walker announces his proposal to replace the Department of Commerce with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, saying verbally that he expects the regulatory portions of Commerce to be moved to a revamped Department of Regulation and Licensing.

December 31

The Superior Telegram newspaper reports on Governor-elect Walker’s December 30th announcement of his selection of Dave Ross as Secretary of the Department of Regulation and Licensing. The article says: “Walker said there are commerce-related and building and safety regulations that he wants to move to the Department of Regulation and Licensing. “I want to move those as part of the budget process into the Department of Reg. and Licensing, and give it a kind of new approach, one that I hope is much more customer-service driven and much more about professional services,” Walker said Thursday.”