U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) plans to introduce a "bold new initiative to solve America's looming fiscal and economic crisis."
Ryan said he will unveil his plan, titled "A Roadmap for America's Future," which he said would take a "comprehensive approach to fixing the current health care crisis, restoring the promise of Medicare and Social Security and simplifying the outdated tax code."
Ryan will conduct a press conference in the U.S. Capitol at 10:45 a.m. (CDT).
The announcement is likely to fuel speculation that Ryan, a Janesville native who represents Wisconsin's 1st District, could become presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain's choice for vice president.

The stock market plummeted this morning on heightened fears of inflation. Crude oil prices reached the $129 per barrel mark, and the U.S. Department of Labor announced that the core producer price index (PPI) rose 3 percent in the past year, the largest year-over-year increase since 1991. The core PPI excludes food and energy prices. Those costs also have risen substantially. With the news, the Dow Jones Industrials Average fell by more than 200 points this morning. Local stocks in the BizTimes Stock Index could not escape the carnage, as decliners far outnumbered advancers this morning. The largest local decliners this morning were Johnson Controls Inc. (down $1.02 to $34.87), Harley-Davidson Inc. (down 97 cents to $39.82) and Kohl's Corp. (down 70 cents to $34.55). The largest local advancers this morning were Bucyrus International Inc. (up $2.21 to $137.01) and Sensient Technologies Inc. (up 30 cents to $29.91).

A transition will take place this summer, when the Wisconsin Department of Transportation accepts bids for the final two contracts of the Marquette Interchange reconstruction project and then conducts the first contract lettings for the Interstate 94 north-south corridor project.
The $810 million Marquette Interchange project began construction in 2004 and has featured about 20 construction contracts. The contracts included the core of the interchange, which at over $300 million was easily the largest single contract ever for WisDOT. The department expects to solicit bids this summer for two remaining contracts on the Marquette Interchange.
The first project will construct a riverwalk section on the Milwaukee River below I-794 between Clybourn Street and St. Paul Avenue.
A second contract is expected for landscaping in the core of the Marquette Interchange.
The Marquette Interchange will fully open to traffic by the end of 2008.
The $1.9 billion I-94 corridor project will begin major construction in early 2009 and will likely include dozens of contracts through 2016.
This summer, WisDOT expects to solicit bids to relocate a stream near County Highway G in Racine County. This work will involve grading and excavating, erosion control, vegetation planting and culvert installation.
For additional information, visit http://roadwaystandards.dot.wi.gov/hcci.

Glendale-based Johnson Controls Inc. today announced that it plans to open a new manufacturing plant in West Point, Ga., to build and supply vehicle seating and interior products to Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia Inc.
The plant, which is expected to open in the summer of 2009, will be located about 70 miles from Atlanta. The plant is expected to employ approximately 310 people when it reaches full production.
The company is building a 130,000-square-foot facility on 20 acres at the Northwest Harris Business Park in Harris County, Ga.
When it launches production in fall 2009, Johnson Controls will supply complete seat systems and door panels for a next-generation Kia SUV.
Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) began construction of a new, $1.2 billion automotive assembly and manufacturing plant in West Point in October 2006 to produce vehicles for the North American market. The automaker's first U.S. manufacturing plant will begin production in late 2009 and is expected to produce 300,000 vehicles annually when it reaches full production.
"Johnson Controls is pleased to support Kia with quality seating and interior products as they launch production at a new site in Georgia," said Beda Bolzenius, president of the automotive experience business of Johnson Controls. "We're also proud to open a new facility and bring jobs to the West Point area. We are grateful for the support we have received from the local and state government officials in Georgia for their assistance on this project."
This new plant further expands Johnson Controls relationship globally with Kia. Johnson Controls currently manufactures seat systems and interior components for Kia in Europe and Asia.

R.B.A. Inc., an industrial mechanical contractor in Manitowoc, has acquired another plant in Clintonville that will double the company's manufacturing space and create about 40 new jobs.
R.B.A. provides subcontract machining, fabrication, refurbishing, welding and assembly for several industries, including the manufacture of heavy steel components for cranes used in wind facility construction and turbine erection.
The new facility in Clintonville comprises approximately 60,000 square feet and covers nearly 20 acres. It previously was used for building special trailer modules for the U.S. military.
R.B.A. is owned by Naperville, Ill.-based Broadwind Energy Inc.
"With this expansion, R.B.A. can further improve the service it has been providing the mining and crane-building industries," said Broadwind chief executive officer J. Cameron Drecoll. "Meanwhile, it contributes to the increased efficiency and value that Broadwind is building in terms of complementary and collaborating platforms of companies."
R.B.A.'s founder, Raymond Brickner III, announced his retirement from his position as president of Tower Tech Systems Inc., a Broadwind-owned wind tower and off-shore wind tower manufacturer, which he also co-founded. Brickner also has resigned as president of Broadwind Energy.
In addition to R.B.A., the Clintonville facility will house the corporate offices of Badger Transport Inc., a heavy-haul trucking company. Broadwind previously announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Badger. Broadwind expects to complete the acquisition, which is subject to customary closing conditions, during the second quarter of 2008.
"This is an extremely exciting time for Tower Tech, with a highly promising market and the financial backing of Broadwind to help the company take advantage of that market," Brickner said. "The company is in good hands with strong, experienced leaders who can take it to the next level. I'm proud of what my company has become and is becoming, but if there is an ideal time for me to step away, it is now."
Brickner founded R.B.A. in 1985 and Tower Tech Systems in 2003.
"Ray has been an inspiration to all of us, with his innovative ideas, never-say-die attitude and willingness to take calculated risks for the benefit of his companies," Drecoll said. "Broadwind Energy wishes him all the best in his retirement."

Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle left today on a business trip to Canada to build relationships with business and government officials, discuss protecting the Great Lakes, and promote Wisconsin's leadership in agriculture and clean energy. 
Doyle will visit the Canadian cities of Winnipeg, Montreal, Quebec City and Toronto. He will be joined at different events on the trip by Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank and Agriculture Secretary Rod Nilsestuen. In addition, Wisconsin Commerce Secretary Jack Fischer will have a variety of business meetings in Canada next week to build relationships and discuss investment in Wisconsin.
"This trip is an opportunity to strengthen vital relationships with Canadian business and government officials, discuss the importance of protecting the Great Lakes, and promote Wisconsin as a world leader in agriculture and clean energy," Doyle said.
Canada continues to be Wisconsin's largest international market. In 2007, Wisconsin exports to Canada grew by 7.1 percent to $5.8 billion.  Nearly one-third of all Wisconsin exports in 2007 were to Canada.
In Winnipeg, Doyle will address a meeting of business leaders hosted by the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and organized by Manitoba Premier Gary Doer's office. The topic for the meeting is "Manitoba and Wisconsin: Growing our Common Economies."
Doyle and Frank also will tour several Manitoba Hydro projects and meet with company officials to discuss regional approaches to clean energy.
In Montreal, Doyle will meet with company executives from Agropur to discuss the company's recent purchase of Trega Foods, a Wisconsin cheese business, and the state's commitment to growing the dairy industry. Agropur is a leader in the Canadian dairy industry.
The will also meet with top officials from Saputo Inc. near Montreal to discuss the company's recent purchase of the Alto Dairy Cooperative in Waupun and ways the state can help the company grow in Wisconsin.
In addition, Doyle will meet with Quebec Premier Jean Charest and Ministers in his Cabinet in Quebec City to discuss environmental issues, including the Great Lakes Compact, the Governor's Clean Energy Initiative and the MGA Climate Accords. 
In Toronto, Doyle - as chair of the Council of Great Lakes Governors - will give the keynote address at the C. Warren Goldring Annual Lecture at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars' Canada Institute. The topic of the governor's lecture is "The Great Lakes and the Environment: Common Challenges and a Shared Future."
Governor Doyle also will meet with Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty to discuss Wisconsin's leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the MGA Climate Accords and the Great Lakes Compact.
Doyle and Nilsestuen will tour Woolwich Dairy to discuss the company's establishment of its U.S. headquarters in Wisconsin and how the state can help support its growth plans.  Woolwich Dairy is Canada's leading and largest goat cheese producer.

The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, best known for its economic stimulus checks for individual taxpayers, also contains several incentives for businesses. One incentive within the act allows for the deduction of 50 percent of the depreciation of new property used for the business. Read more in the new edition of the BizTimes Money Weekly bulletin.

The Davis and Kuelthau law firm has signed a letter of intent to lease about 9,000 square feet of space in the proposed Waterfront office building in downtown Oshkosh. Read more in SBT's daily roundup of headlines from newspapers across the state at www.biztimes.com/#news.

Milwaukee business owner Chris Carter sounds off about the state's business climate in today's Milwaukee Biz Blog.