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January 23, 2012

Read Democrat Jobs Agenda                  

 

Senate Democrats Say Let’s Get Working


Jobs Proposals Not in Short Supply,
Just Need Republican Legislators to Get Us Working

Madison—Following additional reports of job loss in Wisconsin, Senate Democrats call on the Senate Republicans to utilize the rest of the session to get Wisconsin working again.  Senate Democrats have and continue to put forward proposals to create jobs now and into the future.

“Wisconsin has seen six straight months of private sector job loss while the rest of the nation moves towards recovery. Clearly, the policies of this administration and of the Republicans in the Senate are not working,” said Senator Mark Miller (D-Monona). “Senate Democrats have a long list of good ideas that will get Wisconsin working again. Senate Republicans should make it their New Year’s resolution to embrace these ideas instead of handling out $2.3 billion in tax giveaways to big corporations and special interests, at the expense of job creation, education and health care.”

Senator Julie Lassa, ranking member of the Senate Economic Development Committee noted, “Over the last year, Senate Democrats have brought forward solid proposals based on proven ideas that help get people back to work.  We’ve been at the table, ready to negotiate and work in a bipartisan way to help create good-paying, family-supporting jobs.  Unfortunately, the Republican leadership, despite their rhetoric, has focused on everything else but jobs.  With the state's economy hemorrhaging thousands of private sector jobs month after month, it’s well past time for Republicans to get serious about job creation.”

The Senate Democrats discuss proposals related to:

  • Job training and capital investment as essential and simultaneously. 
  • Generating opportunities for small business development, in both rural and urban areas, which benefits the economy of local communities and creates Wisconsin jobs.
  • Continued investment in Wisconsin manufacturing.
  • Opportunities to support Wisconsin Veterans who want to start businesses and help create jobs.

“We hear everyday from employers, especially in manufacturing, that they have thousands of job openings but lack skilled workers to fill them.  With the $71 million dollar cut to the technical colleges, people who are ready to be retrained are sitting on waiting lists and companies are without employees.  We need to reverse this trend and get people working,” said Senator Jessica King. “We know we will see people working again if we invest in training for job seekers, including retraining for our veterans.  The unemployment rate for veterans surpasses the unacceptable high overall unemployment rate.”

“Support and investment in Wisconsin small businesses is a must,” stated Senator Lena Taylor, Ranking member of the Joint Committee on Finance.  “We can only get Wisconsin working again with a vibrant small business sector and Democrats are committed to investing in our bread and butter—small businesses in Wisconsin.”

Senator Dave Hansen, Assistant Democratic Leader, shared, “Democrats have had proven success creating Wisconsin jobs.  Republican legislators need to put partisan politics aside and work with us to push legislation that will create real jobs now for working families.  Every day that goes by without action is a day wasted.  Let’s get working.”