As part of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association's Lobby Day, restaurant owners and operators from across Wisconsin will gather in Madison on May 7 to meet with their state Legislators and put a face on issues vital to their industry.

"We're an important part of Wisconsin's economy," says Mark Dougherty, Owner of Mark's East Side in Appleton and WRA Board Chairman. "We have to be willing to come forward and speak out for what's important to us, what is critical to our survival. We represent thousands of businesses, thousands of jobs, and millions in tourism dollars coming into the state."

Among the issues restaurant operators plan to discuss is repealing the personal property tax on restaurant kitchen equipment, which unfairly taxes restaurants for the same equipment that is exempted in other industries, such as bakeries.

Restaurateurs will also be expressing support for affordable health care options, protecting tourism promotion funding, and the Small Business Regulatory Fairness Act.

"This is a significant time to focus attention on our industry," notes WRA President & CEO Ed Lump. "There are big decisions to be made in balancing the budget, and we want to make sure that the hard-working small business owner does not get overlooked in the process."

The day will begin at the Concourse Hotel with a 10:30 a.m. panel discussion with leaders of the state Legislature, led by Senator Mary Panzer and Representative Jon Erpenbach. Following a briefing on key issues, restaurateurs will spend the afternoon meeting one-on-one with their elected officials. The group then returns to the Concourse to wrap up the day with a Legislative Reception from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.

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