Wisconsin’s business climate continues to improve thanks to the pro-growth reforms enacted during the 2011-12 legislative session, including recently enacted civil justice reforms.
Wisconsin jumped up to No. 13 in the nation according to Site Selection Magazine’s “Top U.S. Business Climates” survey. The study listed a state’s legal climate as a top issue for corporate executives when deciding where to locate its business. The study included other factors, such as regulatory procedures and ease of permitting, economic development, taxes, utility and transportation infrastructure, and workforce skills.
Recently, Wisconsin moved up seven spots – from No. 22 to No. 15 – in the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform’s latest lawsuit climate study: 2012 State Liability Systems Survey, Lawsuit Climate: Ranking the States.1 The study of over 1100 corporate attorneys and executives focused on a number of criteria, including each state’s overall treatment of tort and contract litigation, treatment of class action lawsuits, damages, and judges’ impartiality.
“Thanks to the significant civil justice reforms enacted last session, Wisconsin’s litigation climate has improved and the state is a better place to do business,” said Bill G. Smith, President of the Wisconsin Civil Justice Council (WCJC) and Wisconsin Director of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).
Gov. Scott Walker and the 2011-12 Legislature passed numerous civil liability reforms that greatly enhanced Wisconsin’s business climate.2
“The significant pro-growth reforms enacted last session clearly have made a positive difference for Wisconsin’s business climate,” said James Buchen, WCJC Vice President and Senior Vice President of Government Relations for Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce.
“We are hopeful that the Governor and the 2013-14 Legislature will continue the momentum,” added Buchen.
1 http://www.instituteforlegalreform.com/states#
2 To view all of the civil liability reforms enacted in the 2011-12 session, visit https://www.wisciviljusticecouncil.org/wwcms/wpcontent/uploads/2012/05/2011-12-Legislative-Successes.pdf