Jobs Focus Paying Off, Still More Work To Do
Since taking office January 3, 2011, Governor Scott Walker and Republican legislators in the State Senate and Assembly have had a singular focus on improving the state’s economy and getting unemployed Wisconsin residents back to work.
Lawmakers’ first action during a January Special Session of the Legislature was to approve legislation designed to get the state turned around economically. Ten job-creation or economic development bills were approved by the legislature and signed by Governor Scott Walker during the Special Session. Among those bills was legislation to create the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, a public-private entity with sole focus to grow the state’s economy.
In addition to the Special Session legislation, Wisconsin sent a clear message to job creators that the state is a good place to do business. As states like Illinois attempted to close big budget holes by significantly increasing taxes, Wisconsin Republicans showed leadership by approving a true balanced budget that included a property tax freeze. As the federal government’s bond rating was downgraded by Standard & Poor’s, all three major bond rating agencies affirmed Wisconsin’s rating.
Other legislation, including motor carrier liability and shipping reform bills that bring Wisconsin closer in line with neighboring states, makes Wisconsin an attractive place for businesses to operate.
Even with two disappointing job creation months, Republicans’ attention to jobs has rewards. Wisconsin has added more than 30,000 net jobs since January 2011, and statewide unemployment remains below the national rate of 9.1 percent. According to figures released during late August by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Wisconsin’s relative MEI, growth relative to the rest of the country, is the highest of the five-state Midwest region including Iowa, Illinois, Michigan and Indiana.
The Senate District 28 is seeing its own positive economic signs. During September alone, businesses in the Senate District 28 have announced plans to expand. Baptista’s Bakery in Franklin announced plans to significantly expand, with plans to add more than 200 full-time jobs.
Steele Solutions Inc., also in Franklin, has plans for a $5.4 million expansion to its plant. Included with the expansion are plans to add 30 jobs.
AT&T will hire more than 100 technicians statewide to support the company’s U-verse service. AT&T Wisconsin’s president singled out telecommunication’s legislation approved earlier this year as a major factor supporting the expansion.
Mukwonago’s C.I. Banker Wire & Iron Works is expanding its 105,000 square foot Mukwonago facility by 50,000 square feet, added 30 employees during 2011, and is looking to add additional staff.
Hhgregg, a retail electronics and appliance store, expressed interest in opening a store in Greenfield.
These announcements continue a good stretch for the Milwaukee area. The Department of Workforce Development recently released job growth estimates for August 2011 showing the metro Milwaukee area added 1,100 net jobs.
The task is far from done. Far too many Wisconsin residents are still without jobs. While legislators extended additional unemployment benefits during August 2011, for the economy to truly recover requires a robust, employed workforce. The state Department of Workforce Development operates a website for job seekers, www.jobcenterofwisconsin.com. Wisconsin job seekers can apply for more than 30,000 jobs and post their resume for employers to view.
Wisconsin needs more businesses like those expanding in Senate District 28, and that is the reason Republicans in the State Senate and Assembly will continue to push a job-creation agenda.