Just two days before Governor Scott Walker is scheduled to address the full legislature on the state of the state, Senate Minority Leader Mark Miller criticizes him for the lack of job creation. “The governor and legislative Republicans need to answer one question: ‘Where are the jobs? … Where are the jobs?'”
Wisconsin lost 3,900 private sector jobs in December, but the state gained 13,500 jobs for 2011 as a whole, which is double the number from the previous year. Still, it’s not enough to put Governor Walker on track to create 250,000 private sector jobs in his first term as promised.
Milwaukee Democrat Lena Taylor says state agencies should be required to purchase goods and services from Wisconsin companies. Also, she’s not happy about Walker returning federal funds. “The full legislature should have a vote before we determine sending dollars back.”
Oshkosh Democrat Jessica King worries many men and women in the military won’t have a job when they return home. And Green Bay Democrat Dave Hansen puts in his two cents worth. “While Democrats have made creating jobs a top priority, the Republicans have failed to make it much of any priority at all. The special job creation session … not so special.”
Walker recently unveiled a series of proposals aimed at helping students prepare for college and the job market, as part of his job-creation plan. A college and workforce readiness council aims look for ways to help employers, colleges, and universities team up to train students for high-demand fields.
AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report 2:04