Minutes
WICPA Public Policy Committee Meeting
May 3, 2007

Present:

Mark Krueger, chair                

Bart Adams                                          Fred Sitzberger

Bill Ahlstrom                                         Tom Weingarten

Mike Friedman                                       LeRoy Schmidt

Ted Hart                                              Dennis Tomorsky

Tammy Hofstede                                    Alice O’Connor

Nick Lascari                                        

Guest: 

Dan Heerey, WICPA president

Absent:

Tom Alberte                                        Steve Pullara

Karin Gale                                           Carl Schultz

Tom Kosler                                          Janet Tolander

Terry Jannsen                                      Jeanne Van Galder

Randy Olm

Adams called the meeting to order at 9:15 a.m. Introductions were made.

Representative Kaufert and his aide joined the meeting. Representative Kaufert was the former chair of the Finance Committee. Representative Kaufert presented current issues and answered questions from the committee regarding SB122 sales tax exemption.

Mike Semmann, director of government relations at the Wisconsin Bankers Association, joined the meeting after Representative Kaufert. Semmann stated he respected the WICPA and expected to continue to work together on similar issues. He answered questions from the committee.

Approval of Minutes

Sitzberger motioned to approve the minutes of the Jan. 9 meeting. Lascari seconded and the motion was passed.

Alice O’Connor – Political Landscape

O’Connor reviewed and commented on a listing of key budget items.

O’Connor reviewed her recommendations for contributions to legislators. She will provide the committee with a list of her recommendations. 

O’Connor emphasized the importance and benefits of members attending fundraisers whenever possible. 

Tomorsky stated the WICPA staff is working with O’Connor to include legislators at our seminars and conferences.

Visits to the State Capitol

The committee discussed visits to the Wisconsin Capitol and the importance of getting our message to legislators. It was determined there should be a position paper to present and leave with the legislators offices. A subcommittee of Krueger, Adams, Lascari, Ahlstrom, Schmidt, O’Connor, Tomorsky, and Hofstede was created and will meet to discuss the purpose and points to be presented at the visits.

2007 Fundraising Efforts

Krueger reviewed the fundraising target list and committee members assigned to each firm.

Hofstede reported the new CPAC/LIF solicitation brochure is almost complete. She is still waiting for testimonials.  

Update on Federal Regulatory & Legislative Environment

Lascari updated that he and Tomorsky visited Capitol Hill in Washington, DC during their AICPA meetings. The Feed the Pig Campaign sparked interest in the legislators who also requested to be notified of events in their districts that promote financial literacy.

Other Matters

The committee discussed communication among the committee and O’Connor. The committee agreed the communication from O’Connor should first come to Tomorsky and Hofstede, and they will determine whether to forward the information to the committee.

Krueger reported this is the last year he will be serving as chair of the Public Policy Committee, and a replacement will be needed in 2008-2009. Interested committee members are to notify Hofstede or Krueger.

O’Connor announced the offices of Murphy & Desmond will be moving at the end of summer.

Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 14 at 9 a.m. at the new offices of Murphy & Desmond.

The meeting adjourned at 12:20 p.m.