Foxconn Listening Session Monday in Ona

State Senator Jennifer Shilling and State Representative Jill Billings will hold a listening session on Monday, Augusts 14 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in the Onalaska Public Library about the Foxconn deal Scott Walker is pushing.

If you haven't yet watched the testimony of Citizen Action of Wisconsin's Robert Kraig on the Foxconn deal, please do. Also you may be interested to read these articles that discuss various aspects of this disaster. Please attend and share your thoughts.

CNBC - WEDC can't pass audits, shouldn't oversee Foxconn

The Guardian - Foxconn's poor record on job creation, working conditions

WPR - Foxconn deal waives enviro rules

NYT: "We can only describe this as a gift from Wisconsin to Foxconn."

Chicago Tribune - Foxconn deal would cost Wisconsin $230,700 per worker

Kenosha News - WI Republicans revise Foxconn bill

Rep. Billings writes, 

I have created a quick constituent survey meant to gauge support and areas of concern regarding the Foxconn deal. Please take a minute to fill it out here.

On its face, job creation for Wisconsinites is something we can all get behind. However, I have concerns about the state's return on investment. The Foxconn bill calls for a $3 billion incentive package, which includes up to $1.5 billion in payroll tax credits and up to $1.35 billion in tax credits on expenditures for six assets, such as land and building.  Furthermore, according to a recent fiscal study, even in the best case scenario, the state will not break even on this deal for another 25 years. This rides on the assumption that Foxconn will create no fewer than 13,000 jobs, all of which will be filled by Wisconsin residents. There is also no timeline on when these jobs will be created. Given Foxconn's failure to deliver on similar promises in other states, I worry about Wisconsin incurring so much debt.

 

Moreover, as many of you have pointed out, I am concerned that environmental and labor protections will go by the wayside as the state makes exceptions and concessions in order to retain the company in Wisconsin. In fact, Gov. Walker has already started to roll back environmental regulations. I would like to see an environmental impact survey before we move forward, although the Foxconn bill exempts the company from having to produce one.

 

As always, I would love to hear from you on this and any other state matters of interest to you. If you have any questions or concerns regarding pending legislation, the state budget, or any other issue, feel free to contact my office by calling (608) 266-5780 or emailing me at Rep.Billings-at-legis.wi.gov.