MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – The state Assembly has approved a bill that offers $3,000,000,000 in tax incentives to Foxconn.
It’s aimed at helping the electronics giant build a $10,000,000,000 manufacturing facility at an undisclosed location in southeast Wisconsin.
Following seven hours of debate, the final tally came in at 59-30.
Democrats Peter Barca, Tod Ohnstad, and Cory Mason joined most Republicans in supporting the bill.
Republicans Adam Jarchow and Todd Novak sided with the majority of Democrats in opposition to the measure.
Many Democrats, like Representative Debra Kolste, were critical of the plan’s price tag, with no guarantee that the up to 13,000 Foxconn is promising will ever materialize.
“Governor Walker decides to give away the store for an elusive promise.”
Democratic Representative Mark Spreitzer believes the state is giving up too much.
“Governor Walker is so desperate to get any deal, to get any jobs, because of his jobs promises in the past that just haven’t worked out, that he negotiated a bad deal for Wisconsin.”
Representative Mason is running for mayor of Racine, one of the counties where Foxconn is considering building.
“This is not an easy vote for me. There are things about this bill that I don’t like. But for me, for the jobs that this represents in Racine, for the middle class in Racine, for the future of Racine, the vote is green.”
Republican Representative Joel Kitchens, like many in his party, believes the potential payoffs are worth the risk and notes the bill includes safeguards in the event the jobs never materialize.
Kitchens says the bill is necessary to compete in the global market.
“In a perfect world, I would say ‘yes, we should not have subsidies for any businesses.’ But that’s not where we are. Other states are offering it. If we don’t do this, we will not get this kind of job, and we will not transform our economy.”
The measure now heads to the state Senate for consideration.
