mm; K. Enemete mam @e??eyi Emu 44 East Mi??lin Street. Suite 201 Madison. 53783 Mr. Brett Heely REQUESTEE): $250,000 PRQJECT TEYLE: To support generai eperatiens MEMBERS AFFSLEATEB WSTH REQUEST: Janet Riordan MEETWG BEYE: 21231201 6 PROPOSAL 20150918 BACKGROUND: The John K. Maclver Institute is one oftvvo conservative think tanks in Wisconsin. it defends free markets, limited government, and individuai freedom. It is easy to develop an opinion of Maciver?s work based on the demeanor of its president, Brett Heaiy. But Healy's laid back personal styie does not reflect the veins 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 crirrie Wave in Wisconsin: discount turkeys. ?How dare they give me a deai on my Butterpaii?? 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?and heavilyioopied by the grocery Maciver?s coverage continues, perhaps to the consternation of certain poiicy makers. in a creative and noteworthy video series, itriaclver featured the success stories of email business owners who had begun their careers at minimum wagejobs. ivtaclver pushed hard for economic heaitn and the rights of workers in reports on Right to Work and its implications forgot) growth. Ajoint study with Beacon Hill Institute analyzed the economic effects of the new EPA rules on Wisconsin, adding weight to the voices arguing that Wisconsin shouid join a lawsuit against the agency. iviaciver has also been front and center in evaluating Wisconsin's decisions on Medicaid expansion, and on how Obamacare is affecting Wisconsin's workplaces. Maclver called foul when the legistature tried to sneak through massive changes in the state?s open records law. The story made a classic case of strange bedfeliows when Brett Healy and Senator John Erpenbach?against whom Healy and Maciver filed a iawsuit to obtain state records?"were united in decrying the act. Maciver's work gets reguiar coverage in state and national news media, including the Watt Street Journal, Forbes, and The Washington Post. in the coming year, Maciver pians to put its resources behind a push for a 3 percent flat income tax for Wisconsin; a change in the Mandatory sentencing rules for 17 year olds; to continue the Raising up Weeonsin: How Minimum Wage Jobs Turned into Famiiy Supporting Careers series; and a study on how to cut a billion dollars from state spending. At the same time, Maclver 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, white rent is up 18 percent; healthcare is up 39 percent; and parking is up 14 percent, Maciver has asked for a grant of $250,000. STAFF RECOEMENQATEGN: A grant of $170,000 is recommended. ?35 . .. 0 Grant History Project Title (5mm remorse: Aporoved Fund To support general operations $1,000 1032015 GCC To suppod a special project 010.540 811822015 Regular To support general operaiions $170000 11E11l201? Regular To support general operations $170,000 1012:2013 Regoier To support general operations $170,000 10132012 Regular To support 2012 special projects $20,000 81?212'2012 Regular To support general operations $70,000 110332011 Regular To support general operations $160,000 8f17r?2010 Regular To support general operations $150000 8H 812009 Regular To support general operations $50,000 101812008 Regular erased Toteie {m items) $1,080,640 Page 1 of