Is business causing 'bad business climate?'

This report of a public forum that Mayors Tom Barrett of Milwaukee and Dave Cieslewicz of Madison held last week comes from Dave Zweifel at the Cap Times:

The only testy part of the evening occurred when panelist James Haney, president of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, commented that the city councils of both cities were typically anti-business. Business, after all, provides the jobs and economic advancements, not government, Haney said.

He mentioned that just a few blocks away the Madison City Council was debating requiring employers to provide sick leave to their workers, which he claimed would harm Madison's small businesses.

That rankled Cieslewicz, even though the Madison mayor hasn't supported the sick leave plan. [It failed to pass the City Council by a single vote. -- Xoff.]

Madison's "little" sick leave plan presents far less danger to Wisconsin's economy than the legislative attacks on one of the state's biggest economic engines, the University of Wisconsin, he retorted.

"If business in this state can't defend the UW, then what right has it to pick on little old Madison?" he asked.

One of my e-mail corrrespondents notes:

It's one of the great mysteries of life that the state Chamber of Commerce (and its local counterparts) spend so much time running down the community (high taxes, closed for business, etc.)

I always thought their purpose was to promote and sell the state. Their constant nay-saying is probably more harmful to the state's business climate than anything Mayor Dave, Mayor Tom or the governor could ever do.

A point well-taken, but based on a false premise that many of us probably have. The Chamber of Commerce (which is what WMC is), sounds like a group that should be promoting its city and state. That's how it used to work, at least with local Chambers.

But WMC seems to exist to serve only its members, who already are doing business in Wisconsin, by trying to eliminate all taxes and regulation. ("All" might be an overstatement, but not by much.) WMC is all about its members, not the public interest.

In incessantly complaining about the "business climate" for its own members, WMC helps create the bad climate that could discourage new businesses from coming to Wisconsin. If you were visiting the state and happened to hear WMC's radio commercials, complaining about how bad things are, you'd get out of town fast.

If you visit WMC's website, you'll find that the group has no interest in promoting the state, and doesn't claim that as even a tiny bit of its role. Click the "Why join WMC" link and you'll find:

Member Benefits

Who fights for your right to run a profitable business? Who lobbies for lower taxes and fewer government mandates? Who is the largest, most effective business group in the state?

...WMC, without a doubt.

Our government relations team (8 registered lobbyists) kicks into gear whenever the legislature is in session—testifying at hearings, and meeting with legislators and state agency staff for our members.

What does WMC do besides lobby?

We’ll help you understand the latest human resource law.

We’ll tell you what the EPA/DNR is proposing that may cost your business money.

We’ll tell you which taxes are proposed to be cut…or worse yet, raised.

With our on-staff attorneys and other expert staff to answer your questions—from OSHA to Ozone, from taxes to tort reform, WMC can help. We not only work FOR you, we work WITH you!

That couldn't be clearer. No boosterism here. This is a special interest group through and through, although the right wing (or even the news media) fails to identify them as such when complaining about lobbying and influence by the special interests -- despite the fact that WMC spent $996,000 -- more than any other Wisconsin organization -- on lobbying in 2005. It lobbied on scores of bills, and it wasn't exactly the greater good that determined WMC's agenda. It was more like the greater greed.

You won't mistake WMC for the Greater Milwaukee Committee, an organization of CEOs which actually tries to improve the community, and not just for its members. The GMC website says:

The Greater Milwaukee Committee is committed to keeping Southeastern Wisconsin the best community to live, learn, work, and play.

Our membership - comprised of our region's business, labor, academic, philanthropic, nonprofit and civic leadership - believes that intelligent, active interest in public affairs is the true measure of citizenship, and the foundation for community.

Quite a contrast.

The MMAC, the Metropolitan Milwaukee Assn. of Commerce, falls somewhere in between, mixing a conservative political agenda with programs to improve education, health care, and the area's quality of life, instead of just griping about them all of the time. You might disagree with some of their solutions, like school choice, but at least MMAC is trying to be a force for positive change in the community. It says:

Our mission is to improve metro Milwaukee as a place to invest capital, grow business and create jobs.

The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) is a 143-year-old private, not-for-profit organization representing 2,000 member businesses in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington and Ozaukee counties. Driven by the needs and aspirations of our members, we are committed to bringing resources and solutions as a community partner to increase the economic vitality of the metro Milwaukee community. The organization's programs and resources center around three core competencies designed to meet our members' investment objectives: networking, public policy and economic development.

So if you're rounding up a delegation of business people to try to talk up Wisconsin and attract more business, you might to well to steer clear of WMC. And if you're looking for someone to help defend and improve the university system -- which, theoretically, should be good for business -- don't even ask.

UPDATE: Lisa Subeck gives Madison's Chamber the once-over. Conclusion: "This isn't my grandfather's Chamber of Commerce."