Monthly Archives: January 2020

IL’s Pritzker Calls For Ethics Reform, Lays Out Broad Policy Goals In State Of State Address

Gov. JB Pritzker delivered the State of the State address emphasizing a need for ethics reform in the wake of an ongoing federal investigation which resulted in a guilty plea on bribery and tax fraud charges from former Democratic state Sen. Martin Sandoval. The governor laid out broad policy goals in the speech urging clean […]

Trump Signs USMCA Trade Agreement

President Trump today signed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a trade deal meant to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement. Canada and Mexico already represent the top two export markets for Midwestern food manufacturers. The agreement guarantees U.S. farmers greater access to Canada’s agriculture market and provides more certainty for manufacturers. The leaders of the […]

WI Natural Resources Board Gives Go Ahead On PFAS Rules

The WI Natural Resources Board voted 5-1 Wednesday to authorize the WI Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to begin rulemaking to establish state environmental standards for PFOA and PFOS, two PFAS compounds used in firefighting foam. The rulemaking will revise three separate state standards: for safe drinking water, to reduce PFAS substances in drinking water […]

Gov. Evers Lays Out Agenda In WI State of State Speech, Seeks To Aid Farmers

WI Governor Tony Evers delivered his second State of the State address to the legislature on Wednesday evening.  The speech laid out his policy agenda, and goals for 2020. Evers said a goal for this year is to promote rural and agricultural prosperity.  The Governor mentioned a plan to expand the UW Farm Center and […]

MWFPA Plans Accident Investigation Seminar For March 18

An accident investigation is an “after the fact” response. It is a process that uncovers hazards or problems that can be eliminated so that similar events will not happen in the future. MWFPA will present a seminar providing practical information about investigating workplace accidents by emphasizing how to find the root cause(s), conduct an investigation, […]

Don Harmon Elected President of Illinois State Senate

In a closed door meeting, Illinois state senators voted Sunday to elect Sen. Don Harmon, Illinois State Senate Assistant Majority Leader, as the chamber’s new president, its first new leader in more than a decade. Harmon’s primary opposition in the race to become the new Senate leader was Sen. Kimberly Lightford, the current Senate majority […]

Bipartisan Bill Would Clear Path For CBD Supplements

A bipartisan group of representatives has introduced a bill that would provide the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate CBD as a dietary supplement in the wake of calls for the federal agency to provide clarity regarding regulation of the hemp-derived product. The bill, introduced by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin […]

U.S. House Passes PFAS Legislation

The US House of Representatives has passed legislation aimed at imposing restrictions on new and existing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), including a five-year moratorium on bringing new PFASs to market. The PFAS Action Act (HR 535) passed on a vote of 247-159. The measure incorporates text from 11 other bills addressing the controversial class […]