WMC Reversal on Hospital "Tax" - Now They Must Apply Pressure

As reported in The Capital Times: WMC now backs hospital tax.

As Waxing America observed two weeks ago: Hospital 'Tax' Supported from Left to Right, Except WMC

...if two opponents changed their minds, resolution would be forthcoming. The first is the Republican leadership in the Wisconsin Assembly, the second is their puppetmasters, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC).

OK, we got the order wrong.  But moving on...

If adopted by the Wisconsin legislature, the assessment will bring in over $420 million in additional federal Medicaid payments to Wisconsin.

Our original WMC Watch* program raised this issue with individual members of the WMC board for the last eight months; since January 1, 2008 I spoke to a half a dozen of the WMC board members about the need for them to learn more about the plan. I asked them to look beyond the limited information provided by the WMC staff, which recommended the organization oppose this excellent plan introduced by Governor Doyle almost a year ago.

The reversal of position, which must have been difficult for WMC, has implications that go far beyond this immediate issue:

• It demonstrates that WMC board members need more information on public policy issues than the limited details they get from their own staff.
• Second, it is evident that many WMC board members make sound decisions when given access to information.
• Third, our original WMC Watch* program was correct in its premise that ratcheting up the public discussion in the Wisconsin press, blogs, and among the WMC members will continue to advance the discussion of public policy.
• Fourth, the editorials in Wisconsin newspapers had an effect in isolating WMC and causing the reversal.
• Last, while the WMC endorsement is important for passage, there is still critical work needed to gain the support of the Republican controlled Wisconsin Assembly, where the conservative leaders remain steadfast in their opposition.

Now WMC must show this new enlightened position is not just for show. We all know that if they exert the same pressure they apply when getting their way on tax issues for their members, enough Republican Assembly members will support this measure for passage.

*There is a new WMC Watch operated by One Wisconsin Now (OWN) which is not to be confused with our program - thus the sporadic reference to the "original WMC Watch."

Comments

[Hiawatha]

Thanks Paul,
Thanks much !
Here in Green Bay, I remember this Press Gazette editorial.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200880314044

Now if something could be done about students being sucked into credit card debt .....