WSTCA Spring Conference: Cooperative Network UpdateMay 1, 2012

Jim Rabbitt

United Nations Resolution• Promote cooperatives • Raise awareness of their contribution to

social and economic development• Encourage Governments to review legal and

administrative provisions• Invite Governments to develop programs to

enhance capacity-building of cooperatives

Local Activities• Opportunity to publicize benefits of cooperative

form of business• Collaborate with other local cooperatives to

celebrate successful local businesses

SenateJauch, Harsdorf

Vinehout, MoultonSchilling, Schultz

Lassa, Olson

AssemblyBewley, RivardMilroy, T LarsonMurtha, PetrykNerison, TranelBrooks, DanouRadcliff, Krug

Clark

• 649 Cooperatives• 2.6 million members• Employ more than 18,000 people• Pay more than $784 million in wages• More than $8 billion in revenue• $24 billion in assets in WisconsinWisconsin’s Cooperative Voice is Strong

Legislative Update

Continue sunset of U.W. participation in WiscNet broadband service outside of the university system

Restore exemptions from securities registration for cooperatives

Important Dates• May 8 recall primary elections• June 5 recall elections • Mid – June nomination forms for regular fall

election due• August, 14 – regular fall primary election • November 6 – regular fall elections

Governor Recall Election** Governor Walker did not have to file papers and will

face a primary opponent • Arthur Kohl-Riggs (R)• Tom Barrett (D)• Kathleen Falk (D)• Gladys Huber (D) – Republican protest candidate• Doug La Follette (D)• Kathleen Vinehout (D)• Hariprasad Trivedi (I)

Lt. Governor Recall Election

** Lt. Governor Kleefish did not have to file papers and will not face any primary opponent.

• Mahlon Mitchell (D)• Ira Robins (D)• Isaac Weix (D) – Republican protest candidate

Senate Recall ElectionsSenate District 13 • Scott Fitzgerald (R), did not have to file papers• Lori Compas (D)• Gary Ellerman (D), - Republican protest

candidate

Senate District 21• Van Wanggaard (R), did not have to file papers• John Lehman (D)• Tamra Varebrook (D), - Protest candidate

Senate Recall ElectionsSenate District 23• Terry Moulton (R), did not have to file papers• Kristen Dexter (D)• James Engel (D) – Republican protest candidateSenate District 29• Jerry Petrowski (R)• Jim Buckley (D), protest candidate• Donna Seidel (D)

Legislative Vacancies• Sen. Spencer Coggs (D-Milwaukee), elected

Milwaukee city treasurer, expected to resign Senate seat

• Senator Jim Holperin (D-Conover)• Rep. Elizabeth Coggs (D-Milwaukee), to seek

Senate seat• Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Horicon), running for U.S.

Senate• Rep. Tamara Grigsby (D-Milwaukee)

Legislative Vacancies• Rep. Michelle Litjens (R-Oshkosh)• Rep. Dan Meyer (R-Eagle River)• Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Madison), running for U.S.

House• Rep. Mark Radcliffe (D-Black River Falls)• Rep. Kelda Roys (D-Madison), running for U.S.

House• Rep. Donna Seidel (D-Wausau), running for State

Senate in recall election

Legislative Vacancies• Rep. Richard Spanbauer (R-Oshkosh)• Rep. Tony Staskunas (D-West Allis)• Rep. Barbara Toles (D-Milwaukee)• Rep. Robert Turner (D-Racine)• Rep. Karl Van Roy (R-Green Bay)• Rep. Robert Ziegelbauer (I-Manitowoc)• Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst), running for

Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Holperin

PAC and Conduit Update• Thank you for your participation in the auction

– PAC Balance = $5,284.74 – Conduit Balance = $5,950– WSTCA 2012 Contributions to Candidates: $6,000

• PAC contributions to candidates are identified as coming from the WSTCA PAC

• Thank you for your support!

Consumer Complaints

Consumer Complaints• Telecommunication issues

– Billing issues: unauthorized charges, failure to cancel contract

– Service issues: unsatisfactory service, misrepresentations

– Contracts: Failure to cancel, disclosure of terms• Internet Service Provider

– Service: Unsatisfactory Service, failure to provide service, misrepresentations

• Total Telecommunications Complaints 1,272 (up 311 from last report)– Complaints against Cooperatives

0– Cooperatives with zero complaints 11

Consumer Complaints

• WSTCA Online

Thank YouIf you have any questions or would like to

contact us

Jim RabbittDirector of Government Relations

608-258-4402