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44 East Mifflin Street, Suite 231
Madison, 53703

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CQNTACT:

Mr. Brett Heaty

REQUESTEQ: 

STAFF $170,000

PRQJ TETLE: To support general operations

EQARD 
WITH REQUEST:

STAFF: Janet Riordan
MEEWNG EATE: 2i23/20?i 6

PROPOSAL, 20150918

 





The John K. Maclver Institute is one of two conservative think tanks in Wisconsin. It defends free markets,
limited government, and individual freedom.

it is easy to deveiop an opinion of Maciver's work based on the demeanor of its president, Brett Heaiy.
But Healy?s laid back personal style does not retlect the value or aggressiveness of the institutes role as
a defender of free markets in Wisconsin.

On Thanksgiving week, Heaiy made news with his press release warning of an impending crime wave in
Wisconsin: discount turkeys. "How dare they give me a deal on my ?utterbali?" he asked. The humor
was so irresistible that even the mainstream press found itself covering the topic of Wisconsin's
antiquated minimum markup law, which mandates that retaiiers mark up prices a minimum of 9 percent.
The issue remains unresolved?wand heavily lobbied by the grocery industry?and Maciver?s coverage
continues, perhaps to the consternation of certain policy makers.

in a creative and noteworthy video series, Maoiver featured the success stories or small business owners
who had begun their careers at minimum wagejobs. Maclver pushed hard for economic health and the
rights of workers in reports on Right to Work and its impiications for iota growth. A joint study with Beacon
Hill Institute analyzed the economic effects of the new EPA rules on Wisconsin, adding weight to the
voices arguing that Wisconsin should join a iawsuit against the agency. Maclver has also been front and
center in evaluating Wisconsin?s decisions on Medicaid expansion, and on how Obamacare is affecting
Wisconsin?s workplaces.

Maciver called tout when the legistature tried to sneak through massive changes in the state?s open
records law. The story made a ctassic case of strange bedfeltows when Brett t-leaiy and Senator John
Erpenbachmagainst whom Healy and iviaclver filed a lawsuit to obtain state united in
decrying the act.

Maclver?s work gets reguiar coverage in state and nationai news media, including the Wail Street Journal,
Forbes, and The Washington Post.

in the coming year, Maciver pians to put its resources behind a push for a 3 percent fiat income tax for
Wisconsin; a change in the Mandatory sentencing rules for 17 year olds; to continue the Raising up
Wisconsin: How Minimum Wage Jobs Tamed into Famiiy Supporting Careers series; and a study on how
to out a biliion doilars from state spending. At the same time, Maciver staff will continue its rapid response
and fact?checking on the progressive movement.

Making the case that its employees have had raises of only 2? 2.5 percent over the past several years,
while rent is up 18 percent; healthcare is up 39 percent; and parking is up percent, Maciver has asked
for a grant of $250,000.

STAFF RECOMMENQATEGN:

A grant of $170,000 is recommended-

 

 

 

 

 

Grant Hietory

 

 

 

t3s?ojeot Titte Greet Amooet Approved Forte
To sopport general operations $1,000 1112432015 GCC

To support a special project $1?,640 811 312015 Regular
To support genera! operations 1151112014 Regular
To support generei operations $170,000 111122013 Regular
To support general operations 11I1312012 Regular
To support 2012 speeiat projects $20,000 8121;201 2 Regular
To support general operations $170,000 111812011 Regular
To support general operations $160,000 81117112010 Regular
To support general operations $150.000 811832009 Regular
To support general operations $50,000 1131882008 Regular
Grand Totete ("to items} $1,080,640

 

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