Legislative Update - George Klaetsch

Handicapping Wisconsin’s Targeted State Senate Races

As we enter the final 50 days of the election cycle, many of you live in districts with targeted races. The following is in-depth handicapping of the top senate races, courtesy of WisPolitics.

10th, Lean Sen. Harsdorf
Several things are working in Sen. Sheila Harsdorf's favor as she seeks a fifth term: her last name, the nature of the district and the Twin Cities media market. Harsdorf won 59.2 percent of the vote in 2012, outperforming Mitt Romney's 52.2 percent. That's a testament, some say, to her work ethic and a reputation she and her brother have forged through their service in the state Legislature. Diane Odeen, an attorney who is on the River Falls City Council, has been holding her own against Harsdorf. But insiders just don't see Dem groups making the kind of investment in the race that would be needed just to give Odeen a shot. The caveat, some say, is if Trump bombs in November and hurts Republicans down ballot. If that happens, some argue, a seat like this could suddenly get interesting.

12th, Lean Sen. Tiffany
Early on, Dems were talking up their chances in this northern Wisconsin district, arguing Sen. Tom Tiffany, R-Hazelhurst, had taken a series of bad votes on the Joint Finance Committee on things like gutting the open records law and had irritated a lot of his constituents with a shore land zoning policy he shoved in the budget. But talk of Tiffany has faded thanks to his bankroll and the poor candidate landed by Dems, insiders say. Bryan Van Stippen, an attorney, resigned his seat on the Stevens Point City Council in April 2015 and moved to Deerbrook. He also originally planned to run for the state Assembly against GOP Rep. Mary Czaja before announcing a switch to the 12th. Not exactly the deep roots in the district that some voters find appealing. Then there's Tiffany's war chest. He had $243,266 in the bank at the end of the pre-primary period after raising $114,162 for the year. Before Tiffany won the seat in 2012, Dems Jim Holperin and Roger Breske held the seat. But insiders note they're a unique brand of Dem that fit a northern district that's gotten better for the GOP since the last round of redistricting.

14th, Lean Sen. Olsen
As Dem talk of challenging Tiffany has died down, the chatter about going after Sen. Luther Olsen, R-Ripon, has picked up. That's particularly true following reports questioning the conditions at the King veteran home, which is in the district. Still, insiders note the GOP lean to the seat, Olsen's long time serving the area and the complicated media markets -- Green Bay to the north and Madison to the south -- as factors that could make this race tough for Dems to crack. Dems like their candidate, Waupaca Mayor Brian Smith, who is starting to focus on issues at King. Olsen, who won the seat in 2004 after a decade in the Assembly, took 57.5 percent of the vote in 2012, one year after beating back a recall challenge. Dems haven't held the seat since the Civil War, and it remains to be seen whether a combination of the King issues and a possible Trump drag could really push this seat to a toss-up.
 
18th, Lean Candidate Harris
This is, by far, the most hotly contested Senate seat in 2012 with Republican Rick Gudex beating then-Sen. Jess King, D-Oshkosh, by 600 votes. It's already seen a heavy hit of TV advertising, and more is expected before it's all said and done. Operatives on both sides say the early polling on Feyen and Harris has the race close, which Republicans view as a plus considering Harris' higher profile as county exec and a bid two years ago for the 6th CD. Harris had a big financial advantage at the end of July with $116,930 in the bank at the end of the pre-primary period after raising $115,766 this year. Feyen, meanwhile, had $10,252 in his campaign account after raising $26,560. Still, expect both to be outspent heavily by outside groups.

24th, Lean Sen. Lassa
Sen. Julie Lassa, D-Stevens Point, over performed the top of the ticket in 2012 against a flawed opponent, and if she keeps her nose to the grindstone, many say, she should be fine this fall. But if there's a Trump surge in this north-central Wisconsin district, all bets are off, Republicans argue. Some in the GOP have been talking up Pat Testin's chances, arguing the district isn't as blue as some would like to think. Obama won 51.7 percent here in 2012 while rolling to a 7-point win statewide, while Lassa hit 56.6 percent. Testin, who is a sales rep for a Wisconsin-based wine distributor who ran unsuccessfully for the Assembly in 2012 and chairs the Portage County GOP. Still, it's anyone's guess right now how Trump will fare come November, and conservative groups at this point seem to be intent on protecting the 19-14 majority Republicans now have rather than trying to expand it by going all out in a Dem-leaning district like this one.

30th, Lean Sen. Hansen
Republicans talk about going after Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay, every cycle. And every cycle they come up short. So even though he's on the GOP's list again this year, some think Republicans are just going through the motions in arguing Hansen is vulnerable. Early polling suggests Trump is doing well in the Green Bay media market. But the city, which comprises a good chunk of this district, is much better territory for Dems. Many expect Hansen to outperform the top of the ticket again against Eric Limberger, an attorney who won 37 percent of the vote in 2014 when he ran for the Assembly seat that encompasses Green Bay.

32nd, Lean Sen. Shilling

The only reason anyone is even talking about this seat is because former state Sen. Dan Kapanke, R-La Crosse, is making a run at his old job. But many insiders just don't see a path to victory for him against Sen. Jennifer Shilling, D-La Crosse. Kapanke was once viewed through somewhat of a non-partisan lens. But insiders say that was stripped away over his challenge of U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, in 2010, his vote for Act 10 and his 2011 loss to Shilling in the recalls. Some Republicans still argue Kapanke can find that old touch and rise above the district's numbers. But as much as they may want him back in the Senate in their hearts, some say, they know in their minds it's not likely to happen.

Newly Designed 1003

Fannie and Freddie have unveiled a newly designed 1003. The new design is supposed to be more consumer friendly and more efficient for all users. If you want to take a sneak peak, click here. For more information and to view the dataset, click here. It cannot be used until Jan 2018.

WMBA members to speak at the Housing the Future Seminar

WMBA Annual Golf Outing

The annual golf outing had a new home this year at the Broadlands Golf Club in North Prairie. Nearly 100 golfers hit the links on a beautiful sunny day to

network and support WMBA. Congratulations to the winning team of David Taylor (Wisconsin Title Services), Chris Gebert (Keller Williams), Collin Schlicht (GSF Mortgage) and Chris Zehern (Wells Fargo).
 
Hole 2 offered teams the opportunity to Pay it Forward for fellow member Joe Ramis of Inlanta Mortgage. Joe has been an active member of WMBA as a participant in the Residential Production Committee and co-chair of the Golf Outing. Teams cut the 500+ yard par 5 in half by teeing off from only 250 yards out for a donation to support Joe and his family as he battles cancer. Later in the evening, a live auction featuring Club Level Seats for the Bears vs. Packers on October 20 and other great items also raised funds. Over $6,000 was raised!
 
Thank you to Matt Pierce and Mark Conrad for their work on organizing another great outing. Watch your email and wimba.org for information on next year’s event.
 
Thank you to those who donated a door prize and live auction item and to our generous event sponsors!

Upcoming State Events:

2nd Annual Best in Business Awards

 

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Madison Chapter Fall Kick-Off Event

The Madison Chapter held its annual Fall Kick-Off event on September 22nd.  Approximately 60 industry professionals attended to enjoy networking with other members and start off the 2016-2017 year.  Two awards are traditionally handed out at this event; the recognition of the service of the past year’s President and the “Distinguished Service Award," which is a decades old Madison tradition to recognize a member for their exemplary service to our industry and the Madison Chapter. 

Please join in congratulating Cheryl Paul, of Settlers bank for her service as the 2015-2016 Chapter President. Cheryl is seen below receiving her award from incoming President Rob Helvey of Waukesha State Bank. Additionally, Steve Hansen of Associated Bank was recognized as the Distinguished Service Award winner. Steve is pictured below with Amy Gile-Enge, of Capitol Bank, the 2015 Distinguished Service Award winner and Jim Wilson of Associated Bank who introduced him and outlined his amazing accomplishments. Congratulations to these members and the Madison Chapter is looking forward to another great year!

Myths of Engaging and Retaining Millenials October 20, 2016 Promega Auditorium Madison, WI

Milwaukee

Northeast

MBA Education Releases HMDA, Diversity Resource Guides

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 20, 2016)- The Mortgage Bankers Association's training and education division, MBA Education, today announced the release of two key MBA Compliance Essentials resource guides: Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) Resource Guide and Diversity/Section 342 Resource Guide.

"These resource guides are designed not only to be an ongoing point of reference for the lenders and industry participants who purchase them, but a tool which helps the reader understand the nature of the rule," said Ken Markison, MBA Vice President and Regulatory Counsel. "Both the HMDA and Diversity resource guides are essential for industry stakeholders."

The HMDA Resource Guide walks purchasers through the new requirements within the rule, institutional and transactional coverage, data reporting, and Fair Lending implications. Policies, procedures, and checklists for compliance are all included.  The guide is authored by Michael Flynn, a partner at Goodwin Proctor LLP, and Mitch Kider and Leslie Sowers, Managing Member and Member respectively at Weiner Brodsky Kider PC.

The Diversity/Section 342 Resource Guide is authored by Anthony Sharett, a partner at Baker Hostetler, and contains not only an overview of the rule, but tools for self-assessment, policies and procedures, and best practices to promote diversity within a company's organization and amongst their suppliers. 

MBA Education also released two other guides, the Social Media Resource Guide by David Stein, Of Counsel, Brickler & Eckler, LLP and an update to the CFPB Examination Manual, authored by Donald Lampe, Partner, Morrison & Foerster, LLP. You can find information on how to purchase any of MBA's resource guides here. 

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ABOUT MBA

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) is the national association representing the real estate finance industry, an industry that employs more than 280,000 people in virtually every community in the country. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the association works to ensure the continued strength of the nation's residential and commercial real estate markets; to expand homeownership and extend access to affordable housing to all Americans. MBA promotes fair and ethical lending practices and fosters professional excellence among real estate finance employees through a wide range of educational programs and a variety of publications. Its membership of over 2,200 companies includes all elements of real estate finance: mortgage companies, mortgage brokers, commercial banks, thrifts, REITs, Wall Street conduits, life insurance companies and others in the mortgage lending field. For additional information, visit MBA's Web site: www.mba.org.

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Mortgage Action Alliance - Action Week

Mortgage Action Alliance - Action Week is a weeklong event, held October 3-7, dedicated to helping real estate finance professionals learn how to become more engaged in political advocacy that supports our industry.

Our goal is to raise the MAA membership from 12,000 to 15,000. The more MAA members we have, the stronger our voice will be as we play an active role in how laws and regulations that affect the industry and consumers are created and carried out. Help us reach our goal by enrolling your company to participate and running a MAA membership campaign within your office. 

Your time is important so we have put together a kit for all of our volunteers with sample letters and promotional materials to make participation in Action Week as easy and successful as possible. Once you sign up below, we will send you your kit.

Sign Up

Sign up to take part either as an individual branch or as a company. Fill out this form by Friday, September 30. 

You will receive a tool kit with resources to support your Action Week activities as well as daily updates and tips to distribute in order to encourage colleagues to participate in the Mortgage Action Alliance (MAA). After Action Week is over, prizes will be awarded to participating branches or companies based on a number of factors, with company size taken to in consideration.
 

The WMBA and the MBA have teamed up to bring you great access to the education components you need to stay current in the Mortgage Banking Business. For every product purchased through the WIMBA-MBA store the WMBA receives a % back.   Please use the link below to help support our Association! Wisconsin Mortgage Bankers Online Store Remember to check back often!