State officials on Monday said they are searching for new ways to prevent the abuse of worker misclassification, a persistent source of concern that contractors blame for keeping bids artificially low and giving rise to an underground economy.

Tagged with: Construction Business Group Department of Workforce Development Mark Reihl Mike Myszewski worker misclassification

Although Andrew Disch may have become political director for the Wisconsin division of the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters only about a month ago, this is far from his first brush with the trades.

Tagged with: Andrew Disch Mark Reihl North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters

The longtime head of the Wisconsin carpenters’ union will be the top official administering the state’s unemployment system under Gov. Tony Evers.

Tagged with: Mark Reihl North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters unemployment benefits Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

The top official at a prominent construction group is calling on the state to add to the penalties that can now be imposed on employers who knowingly misclassify direct employees as independent contractors.

Tagged with: Mark Reihl Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council Wisconsin State Council of Carpenters worker misclassification

A union representative is warning that proposed changes to a state statute could result in fraud charges for those who make mere mistakes when filing for unemployment benefits.

Tagged with: Mark Reihl unemployment Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council Wisconsin State Council of Carpenters

Construction industry representatives are taking defensive positions as state policymakers prepare to solicit advice on possible changes to Wisconsin’s system of paying out unemployment benefits.

Tagged with: AGC DWD Jim Boullion Mark Reihl unemployment Wisconsin State Council of Carpenters

State sticks with tax brackets to balance company payments A proposed state unemployment fund surtax has died from lack of support and fear that road builders and other seasonal employers would have shouldered most of the cost. The surtax proposal ...

Tagged with: Mark Reihl Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce Wisconsin State Council of Carpenters

A bill that would expand the uses of tax-increment financing in towns, an economics professor says, would offer a predictable conclusion to a long-evident withering of government restraint.

Tagged with: AGC Dan Thompson Gordon Hintz League of Wisconsin Municipalities Mark Reihl State Council of Carpenters TIF districts

Members of a state advisory board agree restoring the health of the state’s unemployment benefits system requires big changes that are unlikely before an election year.

Tagged with: Dan Knodl DWD Mark Reihl unemployment Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council Wisconsin State Council of Carpenters

Construction industry lobbyists began raising questions Monday about a proposal to reduce unemployment benefit taxes after learning such a change could force companies they represent to pay even more.

Tagged with: AGC DWD J.P. Cullen & Sons Jim Boullion jobs Mark Reihl State Council of Carpenters taxes unemployment