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Skeptics doubt likelihood plan will create jobs

Joint Finance Committee unanimously passes package to combat outsourcing

Members of the Joint Finance Committee voted unanimously Friday morning to add a jobs package into the state budget in an attempt to fuel economic growth in Wisconsin.

Components of the package, which was introduced by Sen. Julie Lassa, D-Stevens Point, include stimulus for research, small businesses, farming and incentives for companies to keep jobs in Wisconsin instead of outsourcing.

“There’s no question that we’re currently facing unprecedented fiscal challenges, including the large budget deficit and the large number of unemployed workers. We’re doing everything we can to generate jobs and stimulate the economy,” said Sen. Mark Miller, D-Monona, co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee.

A key portion of the package would assist small businesses on the forefront of research development in gaining funds from the Federal government.

The package also provides funding for Wisconsin’s Angel Network, which helps citizens manage their investments, as well as funding for a study that would identify the future of Wisconsin’s economic development.

“One of the biggest things we can do to help find jobs for unemployed people is by identifying areas for possible growth, so that we’d increase our economic competitiveness,” Lassa said.

Another part of the package provides incentives for “farm-shoring.” Under the policy, the government would encourage keeping agricultural production within the United States rather than outsourcing the jobs to other countries. This provision could have a great effect on Wisconsin’s many rural, unemployed citizens, Lassa said.

Although Lassa championed the package, she said representatives and senators from both sides of the aisle worked hard to ensure the package would be beneficial to the large number of displaced workers in Wisconsin.

“I think members of both parties recognize the seriousness of the economic situation we’re in, and we’ve seen a lot of bipartisan support on this issue,” Lassa said.

Although the package was voted on unanimously, committee member Rep. Robin Vos, R-Racine said he is skeptical of the effect the package will have, adding issues including the large amount of unemployment are often politically exploited.

Vos added the package is not comprehensive enough to make a large difference to the growing number of unemployed citizens in Wisconsin.

“Calling this a jobs package is like calling fast food a gourmet meal,” Vos said.

While Vos said the move is a positive first step, he added he thinks cutting taxes and lobbying legislature would be more beneficial.

Despite the differences in how they view the package, both Vos and Lassa said they are confident it will pass.

The two also said Wisconsin is still a long way from becoming economically stable.

“There’s been a large amount of interest in how to recover from this crisis, and how we’ll be able to compete in the future. The work ethic and commitment of Wisconsin citizens is something that I see as the largest incentive for businesses, and makes me very hopeful for the future,” Lassa said.