May 15, 2019
The MWFPA News Bulletin is underwritten in part by Bug Blocker Doors & Screens
MWFPA, AG Groups Urge USMCA Approval

MWFPA, along with a group of 66 other food and agriculture companies and trade groups, have sent a letter to congressional leadership urging them to ratify the U.S. trade deal with Canada and Mexico.

The letter was signed by the American Farm Bureau Federation, Bayer, International Dairy Foods Association, Land O’Lakes and the National Cotton Council, among other companies and trade groups.

Read MWFPA's news release here.
The MWFPA News Bulletin is underwritten in part by Alliant Energy
FDA Announces “New Era of Smarter Food Safety”
Acting FDA Commissioner Ned Sharpless, M.D., and Deputy Commissioner Frank Yiannas announced a “New Era of Smarter Food Safety,” an effort intended to combine the implementation of FSMA with the use of new and emerging technologies.

Read more here.
USDA Posts FAQ Regarding "BE" Labeling; Promises Future Guidance

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has issued an FAQ for manufacturers concerning its bioengineered (BE) food labeling rule (formally known as the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (NBFDS)).

The final rule was issued in December 2018 and does not come into effect for several years, but questions are being raised by industry regarding its obligations under the rule.
IL Senate Passes Graduated Income Tax Proposal

The IL State Senate passed SJRCA1 on a 40-19 straight party-line vote providing a pathway to change the IL Constitution allowing for a graduated income tax that would penalize successful Illinoisans and thousands of small and mid-sized companies.

If passed by the General Assembly and approved by voters in November 2020, IL would have the 3rd highest corporate tax rate in the United States and the 8th highest individual income tax rate.
 
Constitutional amendments are required to pass the General Assembly six months prior to an election so final action is not required this spring.

However, Democrat Governor JB Pritzker has made this his top priority and will be working extremely hard to secure the necessary votes for passage.

The measure requires a supermajority vote in the House of Representative meaning 71 votes for passage. House Democrats hold 74 seats so they can only afford to lose three members and still pass the amendment. Republicans are expected to remain united in opposition.
Wage Gap Bill Passes IL State Senate

The IL Senate Labor Committee passed HB 834, a bill identical to legislation that passed both the House and Senate last year and was vetoed by Governor Rauner.

The legislation attempts to shrink the gender wage gap by prohibiting an employer from using wage or salary history when making hiring or promotional decisions. The IMA supports equal pay but opposed the legislation because it allowed an employee to double dip by suing an employer in both state and federal court and it removed the ability of a company to offer an affirmative defense.
 
The bill is expected to be signed by Gov. Pritzker.
IL Paid Sick Leave Legislation Sent Back to Committee
HB 471 , a bill mandating employers of all sizes to provide 40 hours of paid sick leave, has been sent back to IL House Rules Committee.

It is unknown at this time if this proposal will be resurrected before May 31 adjournment.
WI Legislature's Budget Writing Committee Begins Voting

The Wisconsin Legislature's Joint Finance Committee has begun voting on 2019-21 state budget provisions.

Its first votes removed key provisions of Democrat Gov. Tony Evers's budget, including a problematic provision that would have reinstated qui tam lawsuits in Wisconsin. MWFPA oppose the effort to reinstate such lawsuits. Read a backgrounder on this issue from the Wisconsin Civil Justice Council .

The GOP-controlled budget committee also v oted to scrap expanding Medicaid, legalizing medical marijuana, raising the minimum, granting drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants and limitations placed upon the manufacturing and agriculture tax credit.
MWFPA Scholarship Winners Announced!
The MWFPA Human Resources Committee has selected 26 applicants to receive this year’s MWFPA Scholarships. Each of these students, who are the children of a parent or guardian who is an employee of an MWFPA member company, will receive $1,000!

Click here to view a list of this year's recipients.
Membership Directory Updates: It's Time to Review Your Company Information!

MWFPA has upgraded to a membership management tool that is all encompassing. Now you have the ability to register for events, pay membership dues and connect with other members by searching the member directory through InfoHub .
 
NOTE:   InfoHub will be the source for the next printed membership directory, so please take a moment now to update your information!  

The InfoHub is your one-stop shop for all things MWFPA. It's also our team's one-stop shop for all member data - we need your help to keep us in the loop on company changes, locations and employee updates. We've done our best to ensure the new system has accurate data, but with all new technologies comes a few glitches.
 
  Go to Info Hub   now to create your login and review your company information for accuracy.
 
Questions? Contact Jane Algiers at 608-255-9946.
 
Welcome Our New Member
Cornerstone Flooring  - Our newest associate member, Cornerstone Flooring is the nation’s largest single-source manufacturer and installer of high-performance resinous flooring systems.

Cornerstone Flooring is an internationally recognized leader in industrial flooring. It has more than five decades of experience in innovative research, development, and installation.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2019 SCRAMBLE SPONSORS THUS FAR

We are still accepting sponsorships!
General sponsors, prize sponsors, hole sponsors, as well as goodie bag items.

Contact Jane Algiers at 608-255-9946.
Mark Your Calendar: MWFPA Events You Won't Want To Miss
May 29-30, 2019 MWFPA Spring Summit & Scramble . Trappers Turn Golf Course, Wisconsin Dells, WI. 

September 19, 2019 : Food Energy Forum , Miron Construction, 1471 McMahon Drive , Neenah, WI.

Join MWFPA, Focus on Energy and Miron Construction for a forum designed to increase awareness of projects that could be implemented to reduce energy consumption within food manufacturing plants. Watch for further information in this newsletter and at the MWFPA website .

October 10, 2019 : MWFPA Sporting Clay Challenge , Milford Hills Gun Club, Johnson Creek, WI.
 
December 3 - 5, 2019:   MWFPA 115th Annual Convention and 92nd Processing Crops Conference . Kalahari Resort & Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells, WI.
Other Educational Offerings

 May 23, 2019 : PFAS: Life Cycle, Regulations and Solutions , Ingleside Hotel, 2810 Golf Road, Pewaukee, WI.

Join the American Institute of Professional Geologists and learn the history, chemistry, sampling techniques and current treatment options of PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances) as well as developing regulatory proposals throughout the country. Over 4,700 PFAS exist in the world today. Many PFAS transform into highly persistent perfluorinated chemicals in the environment. Short-chain PFAS tend to be more water soluble and move more easily through soil to contaminate ground-water, surface water or drinking water. Click here for an agenda and a registration form .
Brian Elliott | Midwest Food Products Association | Ph: (608) 255-9946 | Fax: (608) 255-9838
Web: www.mwfpa.org