Minutes
WICPA Public Policy Committee Meeting
September 20, 2006

Present: 
Mark Krueger, Chairperson
Bart Adams (phone)                  Steve Pullara
Tom Alberte                            Jeanne Van Galder (phone)
Bill Ahlstrom                            Tom Weingarten
Mike Friedman (phone)              LeRoy Schmidt
Karin Gale (phone)                   Tammy Hofstede
Ted Hart                                Alice O’Connor
Tom Kosler                             Mike Vaughan
Nick Lascari
Randy Olm (phone)                           

 

Absent: 
Terry Jannsen 
Carl Schultz
Fred Sitzberger                      
Janet Tolander

 

Guests:
Linda Dicks, WICPA President
Dennis Tomorsky, WICPA Incoming Executive Director

Krueger called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m.  Introductions were made.

 

Approval of Minutes

• Ahlstrom motioned to approve the minutes of the May 10, 2006 meeting.  Kosler seconded and the motion was passed.

 

Mike Vaughan – Political Landscape

• Vaughan commented on the current political landscape.  He stated we were involved in 11 Primary races and we won all of them.  The committee agreed to contribute to the Attorney General race in support of J.B.Van Hollen.

• Vaughan discussed current distributions and recommendations.  He reported there are still many contributions to be disbursed that we need permission from members.

• The committee directed Hofstede to include the Public Policy Committee member name in emails when requesting permission to use funds from one of their firm members.

• It was also suggested the persons on the committee representing the main firms send their partners a reminder letter explaining the process.

 

2006 Fundraising Efforts

• The committee reviewed the Campaign Progress Chart.  Pullara reported there was a new Managing Partner change at McGladrey & Pullen.  Shawn Carney has replaced Tom Johnson.

• Hofstede reported an email went out on September 12^th under Krueger’s name to the membership excluding those who have already contributed in 2006 regarding the legislative process and to solicit member contributions.

• Hofstede stated the campaign brochures need to be updated soon.  The brochures need to be designed and ordered before February of 2007 so they will be available for the 2007 mailing to firms and members.

 

 

Update on Federal Regulatory & Legislative Environment

• Lascari updated the committee on the Federal Taxation committee meetings and issues.

• Schmidt stated there is an AICPA task force created to look at substantial equivalency for CPAs to work in a state on a temporary basis.  Wisconsin is the model for this legislation.

• Schmidt updated on the WICPA member running for elected office who requested to advertise in On Balance.  Vaughan checked with the State Bar on their policy and stated the Bar does not encourage this type of advertisement but would allow it under the condition they reserve the right to edit the information.  Schmidt stated the WICPA would follow the same policy.  The person did not advertise due to timing of our publication and he was involved in personal issues and ended up not being able to dedicate as much time to his campaign. 

 

Update on Accounting Examining Board Activities

• Schmidt reiterated Tom Kilkenny of Deloitte & Touche is the Accounting Examining Board Chairperson.  Jim Johnson of Virchow Krause has completed his term.  Kim Tredinnick, also from Virchow Krause, is now a member on the Accounting Examining Board.  The CPA exam has been functioning well in Wisconsin. 

• Schmidt discussed the mandatory Peer Review.  He reported it has been running smoothly at the WICPA.

 

Other Matters

• Lascari thanked and highly complimented Schmidt for all his dedication, work and efforts he has demonstrated in the legislative process and the successes of the WICPA.  His service has been much appreciated by the committee and WICPA members.

• O’Connor will invite legislators to the next meeting. 

• Schmidt announced his retirement part will be on November 3^rd at Seven Seas in Hartland.

 

Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for January 9, 2007, 9:00 a.m. at Murphy & Desmond.

The meeting adjourned at 11:55 a.m.

 

 

 

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