
U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (Photo: Andrew Beckett)
The incumbent in the state’s race for U.S. Senate says pollution caused by people is influencing climate change – but he’s not sounding any alarms.
Speaking to a talk show on affiliate WHBY radio Monday, Republican Senator Ron Johnson said global temperatures have fluctuated throughout history, and he’s confident that humans will “adapt.” Johnson said he agrees that “we should do everything we can to maintain a clean environment, but you need an affluent society you need a strong economy to do it.”
The senator, who faces a challenge from Democrat Russ Feingold in November, said even President Barack Obama has admitted some policies could cause electric rates to skyrocket.
Johnson also voiced his opposition to raising the federal minimum wage and mandating paid family medical leave. He said those kinds of policies hurt small businesses and increase government’s role in the private sector, and the changes would force many companies to cut workers or close.
WHBY