Both houses of state Legislature work on separate plans to create jobs

Talk about it

Wisconsin legislative leaders say one of their main goals this fall is to help create jobs and both houses are just now starting to work on separate plans.

Majority Assembly Democrats say they’ll announce a bi-partisan panel this month which will meet with business leaders to get ideas.

Senate Democrats say they’re working on their own plan to boost jobs, based on what has worked in the past.

Carrie Lynch of Majority Leader Russ Decker’s office says the package is not ready to released yet.

One of the few definitive ideas was announced last week by Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine. He and a couple other lawmakers want to attract both state and federal funds to create more job-training classes at technical colleges, and give financial aid.

The tech schools are hard-pressed to meet the demand for training.

Morna Foy of the state tech system said enrollments jumped 5 percent last year and they’ll go up at least another 10 percent this year.

Mason’s plan would be funded by a 1 percent increase in the state income tax for those making at least $1 million a year.

Republicans immediately criticized the idea, saying Democrats have hurt the economy by raising billions in taxes.

GOP lawmakers have come up with their own proposals to cut taxes and create less government red-tape for companies.

Tags: job creation, wisconsin