Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce Building
501 E. Washington Ave.
Madison, WI
Management: James Buchen, Bob Oyler, Daniel Petersen and Ed Lump
Labor: Penkalski, Michael Bolton, Red Platz and Robert Lyons
Chair: Daniel LaRocque
Department staff present: Hal Bergan, Bob Whitaker, Andrea Reid, Lutfi Shahrani, Dick Tillema, Beverly Crosson, David Jenkins, Terese Wojick, Ben Peirce, JoAnn Hium, Carla Breber, Brian Bradley and Troy Sterr
Others present: John Metcalf, Bob Anderson, Bill Smith and Tom Smith
Bergan opens the meeting by announcing that Secretary Gassman has appointed Daniel LaRocque as the new Chair of the Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council. Greg Frigo, former Chair of the Council, was unable to attend this meeting. Another date will be chosen to honor him for all his past work with the Council. The retirement of Thomas E. Smith was announced. His long-term service on behalf of the Council was formally recognized by Bergan, LaRocque and the Council. LaRocque introduces Beverly Crosson and Dave Jenkins to the Council; they will help fill the void left by Smith’s retirement.
Bergan announces changes to the membership of the Council. Bob Oyler and Bob Lyons are leaving the Council.
Minutes of the October 21, 2005 and the February 21, 2006 meetings were approved.
Bergan reports on Senate Bill 577 relating to the exclusion of wages earned for services performed as a volunteer fire fighter, emergency medical technician or first responder from partial unemployment benefit determinations. SB 577 restores wage exclusion that had existed in § 108.05(3) prior to our most recent UI bill, Act 86. We need a long-term solution here to reflect the changing nature of the volunteer fire departments in our state. SB 577 was passed by both houses and was signed by the Governor on March 17, 2006.
Bergan discusses the Trust Fund Study, asks the Council for input. Presents the UI Division’s working list to approach this study:
Bergan opens the floor for discussion. Suggestions made by the Council include:
Suggestion is made that a portion of each Council agenda will be devoted to this study. This will be done. Bergan will put an agenda together as a point of departure for the Council. Suggestion is also made that the Council do some outreach with the Legislature and involve them in the discussions concerning this study; perhaps a letter/memo from the Council to the Chairs of several pertinent Committees or even to the entire Legislature to advise them of our study activities.
Costs and schedules for completion of SUITES and EnABLES were discussed.
Schedule for four Public Hearings on the UI law was discussed and decided. A 10:00a.m. Council meeting followed by a Public Hearing in the afternoon on:
Bergan briefly discusses DWD 128, Ability to Work and Availability for Work. Our rule change proposal is the result of law changes and in-house recommendations. It needs a fiscal and more preparation before a presentation can be made to the Council. We will discuss this at the next Council meeting.
Breber discusses DWD 133, Temporary Help Employers. This has been approved by the Council but there are a few changes. DWD 133.04, Relationship following termination is a new section to this rule. DWD 133.02(3) (a) 1 is also new and speaks to how employee ends the relationship with the temporary employer. Motion to approve this rule is carried unanimously among the members present.
No formal presentation of the letters to the Council was made. Council members are familiar with their contents. Council requests a discussion on the reduction of benefits to corporate owners and their family members for a future meeting.
Discussion of the UI Treasurer’s Financial Statements ensued.
Bergan states that Dan Petersen, Ed Lump and Dennis Penkalski have been reappointed by Secretary Gassman to the Council.
Meeting is adjourned.
Updated
March 25, 2013
Unemployment Insurance Division,
Bureau of Legal Affairs (BOLA)