Despite some calls to call off a trade mission to China and Japan this month, Governor Jim Doyle still plans to make the 11 day trip overseas on September 7th.
A major focus of the trip is on China, Doyle he says the need for US imports is growing rapidly as the average income of Chinese residents grow. He says the only Wisconsin can succeed as a manufacturing state is if it takes advantage of this type of demand.
Senate Minority Leader Scott Fitzgerald recently called on the Governor to cancel the trip because there's still work to do on the state budget. Doyle says that request is preposterous. He says the trip was planned for months and it's not his fault the Legislature hasn't done its job yet. The Governor says lawmakers should focus on the budget, not his trade mission.