U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI) shared his pro-business philosophies in a visit to Gunderson Uniform and Linen, Menasha, WI, on March 18, meeting with the company’s management team to discuss their economic challenges and tour the plant. The conversation touched on national issues likely to affect our industry among many others, such as tariffs, immigration and the federal budget; with extensive dialogue on industry-specific matters such as reusable textiles and tax considerations.
Rep. Grothman learned that TRSA and the Wisconsin Association of Textile Services (WATS) are pursuing state legislation to extend to our industry the corporate income/franchise tax credit of 7.5% for “qualified production activities” income. Wisconsin businesses coded as manufacturers are eligible; TRSA has drafted legislation and secured bill sponsors to change the linen, uniform and facility services industry’s coding accordingly.
Before he was elected to Congress in 2014, Rep. Grothman served in the Wisconsin State Assembly and Senate, rising to serve as the assistant majority leader in the State Senate. He fought for economic growth legislation and tax reform. In 2011, he authored Wisconsin’s Manufacturing and Agriculture Production Tax Credit, which protects “thousands of Wisconsin factory and farm jobs.”
The Gunderson team brought the congressman up to speed as he inquired about TRSA’s advocacy for greater use of reusable textiles as healthcare personal protective equipment (PPE), calling for a better balance between such reusable and disposable PPE. Rep. Grothman indicated the linen, uniform and facility services industry’s economic, environmental and supply-chain case is strong and involving nursing professionals (a current TRSA strategy) could help.
Rep. Grothman received a copy from the Gunderson team of TRSA’s request to federal legislators to support creation of a “Workplace Solutions” document. To be issued by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the document would recommend healthcare facilities maintain a 50% minimum operating threshold of reusables. TRSA has gained momentum for legislation calling for this threshold in California and New York.
Photo above (left to right): Operations Executive Leader Andrew Leonard; Dustin Hackbarth, aide to Rep. Grothman; VP Sara Gunderson; Rep. Grothman; and President Doug Gunderson. Kevin Holm, a Gunderson route driver since 2000 and a longtime Grothman admirer, stopped in the conference room to have his photo taken with the congressman.
On his Facebook page, Rep. Grothman described the visit as “an incredible experience touring Wisconsin’s top linen rental provider” and received “an in-depth look at their customized linen rental services, which cater to a wide range of industries, including healthcare facilities, restaurants, hotels, automotive shops, manufacturers of all sizes and more.”
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