Members of TRSA and the Wisconsin Association of Textile Services (WATS) participated in a hearing held by the Committee of Universities and Revenue of the Wisconsin State Senate. The delegation consisting of Jim Leef, WATS chairman; Sara Gunderson, Gunderson Uniform & Linen Rental; and Jim Vaudreuil, Huebsch Services, testified in front of the committee in support of Senate Bill 845. This bill would modify the Wisconsin Manufacturing and Agricultural Tax Credit (MATC) by adding the SIC codes for the linen, uniform and facility services industry.

The legislation’s Senate and Assembly Sponsors, Sen. Rob Hutton and Assemblyman Scott Krug, led the hearing in support of the legislation and were followed by the TRSA group.

“As stakeholders deeply rooted in Wisconsin, we recognize the profound importance of investing in our people, and our state,” said Gunderson to the Committee. “The proposed tax credits in Senate Bill 845 will provide us with the financial means to reinvest in our workforce and contribute meaningfully to the economic development of Wisconsin.”

Vaudreuil added that, “Our business is in a growth mode and a couple years ago we initiated a construction project to increase capacity, reduce the physical strain on workers and improve environmental sustainability results. The cost of this expansion is over $9 million. Allowing us to claim the tax benefit of this bill will really help us pay off this huge investment.”

The next step is for the legislation to be presented to the Assembly Committee on Revenue. That hearing is scheduled for Feb. 1.

“This is exciting to see a grassroots effort from the members to reach actual policy action,” said Kevin Schwalb, TRSA’s vice president of government relations. “This is proof that TRSA member involvement pays off.”

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