Wirch American Jobs Act Passes Senate

The American Jobs Act, authored by State Senator Bob Wirch, has passed the State Senate and can now be sent to the Governor. The bill passed the Senate on a voice vote and had already passed the State Assembly with a 69 vote majority.

“I continue to believe this bill exemplifies leadership by example,” Wirch stated. “If state government is going to have the moral authority to discourage outsourcing of Wisconsin jobs in the private sector, we have to make sure executive branch agencies aren’t engaging in outsourcing either.”

The American Jobs Act places in statute a requirement that all contractual services purchased by state executive branch agencies are to be performed within the United States. This requirement does not apply if the contractual services cannot be obtained within the United States or when other limited circumstances apply.

“Taxpayers expect that their tax dollars will be spent with local, state or other US companies,” Wirch explained. “If they have to pay taxes then, at a minimum, they want to know their state tax dollars are being spent with companies that will grow our economy.”

Senator Wirch, who has worked on the legislation with Representatives Pocan and Zigmunt, noted that the economic crisis in our nation and state demonstrates the need to pass this legislation and keep more tax dollars here at home to help grow our economy.