State lawmakers were back at the Capitol today for the start of Governor Walker’s special session on job creation. However, Democrats say the effort so far seems to be lacking.
Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) questioned why so few of the governor’s proposed bills are ready to be voted on, when Republicans have talked so much about the need to create jobs. Barca says families continue to struggle while unemployment rates climb. He says the GOP is not “focused like a laser beam” on jobs, despite calls from Governor Walker to do so.
Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Horicon) says they are committed to a plan of improving the job climate in Wisconsin, but no single piece of legislation is going to accomplish that goal. Fitzgerald says it’s not governments’ job to create jobs, but to enable businesses to expand and grow.
Republicans say several of the governor’s proposals are still working through Legislative committees and votes will be taken in the coming weeks.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports 1:18