Larson Bi-Weekly Report - January 18, 2013

Dear Friend,

This report examines the key events from the week, including the governor's State of the State address, the introduction of mining legislation, and the Senate reporting for session. Information for upcoming community meetings has also been included.

Sincerely,
Chris Larson
State Senator, District 7

Office Phone: (608) 266-7505
Toll-free Phone: (800) 361-5487

Email: Sen.Larson@legis.wi.gov

Mailing Address:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707

Web Site:
SenatorChrisLarson.com
================

State of the State Fact vs. Fiction

This past Tuesday, Governor Walker delivered the annual State of the State address. Historically the speech has been an opportunity to reflect on the well-being of our state and a chance for our governor to offer his vision for moving Wisconsin to greater prosperity.

Unfortunately, we got more fiction than fact on Tuesday night. What we hoped to see in this speech was an honest acknowledgement of Wisconsin's failing "go-it-alone" agenda, a clear course correction, and a sincere call for a real bipartisan efforts to move Wisconsin forward. Basically, the governor had the opportunity to call for a game changing play, but instead he punted.

While the rest of the country is moving forward by adding jobs and increasing the pace of economic development, Wisconsin's failed policies have left us floundering in quicksand and unable to progress. Just last week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics confirmed that Wisconsin had the lowest job creation rate in the region, tied for 42nd lowest nationally. Wisconsin’s working families are depending on us to finally put immediate job creation efforts first.

Creating more jobs in our state requires us to invest in our next generation of workers by ensuring they have the necessary skills for the jobs available. Wisconsin currently has a skills gap, which has left 35,000 existing jobs unfilled despite high unemployment. Closing this disparity would allow our state to double the number of jobs created almost overnight. Therefore, it is our challenge to fully restore the more than $1 billion in devastating cuts to all levels of education by investing those dollars in Superintendent Evers’ Fair Funding for Our Future proposal, and supporting our technical colleges and universities.

Family, friends, and neighbors across Wisconsin are pinching pennies and re-evaluating their financial choices, and we must be prepared to do the same. From the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to the contract with LogistiCare, it is time to open the curtains and shine the light on government spending.

My colleagues and I are ready to do the work of the people this session and urge those on the other side of the aisle to join us in fighting for the middle class. From jobs to education to transparency and accountability, there are plenty of common sense solutions we can agree on to improve the lives and economic opportunity of all Wisconsinites.

Click here or on the video above to view my response to the governor's State of the State address.
January 17, 2013