The turmoil at the Capitol has largely subsided and Governor Scott Walker says he’s ready to get back to work on the important issues facing the state. Now that recall races have determined the Senate will remain in Republican control, Governor Walker says lawmakers need to work together on bills that can boost job creation.
One issue Walker hopes can attract bipartisan support is the creation of a venture capital fund that new and expanding businesses can tap into. The governor says it’s a concept both sides of the aisle should be able to get on board with.
A first attempt at a venture capital bill earlier this summer got bogged down in controversy, largely over concerns that it sent money to out of state financial firms and did not allow the state to directly recoup money put into tax breaks.
Talks about a proposal to streamline the approval process for an iron ore mine in northwestern Wisconsin met with similar delays. The governor believes that concept will get another look as well this fall, because it could greatly benefit an area of the state with heavy unemployment. Walker says such a bill will need to conserve natural resources, while also benefitting workers.
Walker says his office has already been reaching out to Democratic state Senator Bob Jauch (D-Poplar), who represents the area. Jauch has said his district is hungry for jobs, but any mining proposal needs to carefully consider public input.