Wisconsin's fight to keep major employers has not ended with the General Motors bidding war. Wisconsin offered a $200 million package, including $77 million in tax credits, to get the GM plant Janesville running, but the automaker chose a nearly billion dollar offer by Michigan.
Mercury Marine, the largest employer in Fond du Lac with two thousand workers, is looking into a move to Oklahoma, according to media reports. State Representative John Townsend (R-Fond du Lac) doesn't know how valid those rumors are but says his bill may help retain the boat maker by stimulating the waning boat sales industry.
Townsend would like a sales tax moratorium for boat sales in the first year up to $30,000 purchases. He notes three-fourths of boats are bought by middle class families. The Fond du Lac Republican says his proposal, which will likely have at least 20 co-sponsors, has garnered attention by a national group looking to apply a similar concept to other struggling industries.
Another automaker Chrysler has announced its plans to move the Kenosha engine plant to Mexico. Local leaders still hold out hope that the facility can be retooled by the automaker's new owner.
