It’s the GOP’s turn on jobs

In light of the recent jobs legislation authored by State Senate Democrats, Senate Republicans have come out with an alternative proposal. It of course has no chance of being realized in the near future because the entire Republican caucus voted for the Democratic bill, but so goes the game of public relations in government.

You wouldn’t believe it, but they advocated for lower taxes and tort reform. But even more interesting was the bone they threw to education and health care.

The thoughts and recommendations of over 150 employers detailed in the Task Force Report can be summed up in the following categories:

•First do no harm

•Higher taxes mean fewer jobs

•Cut through the red tape

•Train and educate a 21st century workforce

•A strong economy requires affordable healthcare

It’s refreshing to hear the GOP admit that high health care costs stifle innovation and business.

Wisconsin Democrats hammer at jobs theme

The State Senate passed another piece of jobs legislation today, gaining the support of all but one Republican in a 32-1 vote:

Sen. Julie Lassa, an author of the bill, said businesses from across the country are looking to locate in Wisconsin because of incentive programs like those included in the bill. And legislators in other states have inquired about the bill looking to emulate it.

“They are looking to replicate the success we’ve had in terms of getting that entrepreneurial spirit together,” she said.

Republicans sought two different lines of attack against their Democratic opponents:

Sen. Ted Kanavas, R-Brookfield, said Democrats have “dumped a load of crap on
Wisconsin businesses” during this legislative session.

“What we’re going to do today is take off one shovelful of that load of crap,” Kanavas said.

Senate Minority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Horicon, said it’s no surprise that Republicans voted for the bill because Democrats “pirated” many provisions from Republican ideas.

Barrett taking a cue from Massachusetts?

In wake of the Democrats’ recent loss in Massachusetts, the most popular criticism of the party and its president is that they have focused too much on long-term issues such as health care and climate change and have neglected the issue practically every American is worried about: the economy.

What could Obama have done differently on the economy? That’s a discussion that economists will continue to have well after he leaves office (whenever that takes place). Different interpretations of economic history yield wildly different heros and culprits. Just look at the diverging views on FDR. To liberals, he is a savior. To supply-siders, he was a hindrance.

Any ideas? What would you have liked to see Obama do? I would have liked to see much more money towards long-term goals, including revolutionary transportation and visionary research. A lot of the stimulus money went into sure bets: potholes and bridges.

Either way, Tom Barrett is trying to distance himself from the loftier ideas of the Obama administration.

Tom Barrett toured Orion Energy Systems on Wednesday morning and said the focus of his bid to become governor is “jobs, jobs and jobs.”

Barrett said citizens want their elected officials to focus on strengthening the economy and that trumps health-care reform.

The irony is that as a national health care policy becomes more tenuous, Democrats at the state level also become less enthusiastic about creating state policies. Doyle, who yesterday introduced Badger Care Plus Basic, which will offer adults with no dependent children a basic health care policy for $130 a month, is likely an exception to the rule because he is not running for re-election. Politics is perverse.

Pray Leinenkugel is right

I’m not necessarily talking about the beer, although I wouldn’t be surprised if economic success in Wisconsin strongly correlated with growth in Leinie’s sales (I don’t think it’s quite cheap enough to be recession proof). Wispolitics:

Commerce Secretary Dick Leinenkugel predicts gradual job growth beginning in 2010 and says that with its diversified economy, the state is ready to take advantage of economic recovery.

“I know we’re ready when the recovery comes,” Leinenkugel (left) said on On Sunday’s “UpFront with Mike Gousha.” “It’s because we’re such a diversified economy.”

Leinenkugel predicted the state, which has lost roughly 130,000 jobs since October 2008, would see jobless numbers turn around in the second quarter of 2010 as businesses gradually begin to hire more workers.

Second quarter. Just in time for graduation! But just in case, maybe you ought to stretch it out into summer. Then you’re guaranteed a job. Right…?

Need a job?

Sounds like a great opportunity for many of my readers.

Wisconsin’s 47,000 jobs will be parceled out in eight regions; in the Madison region – southern and southwestern Wisconsin – the goal will be to fill 4,200 jobs that pay $13 an hour.

Most of the jobs are for “enumerators,” and field operations. A job candidate must be a U.S. citizen, have a driver’s license and use of a vehicle, and the ability to go door-to-door to interview residents. Bilingual applicants are encouraged, and all applicants must pass a background check, complete a basic skills test, be older than 18 and literate.

Most of you could at least pass as literate.