MADISON, WI (WRN) – The Republican leader of the Wisconsin Senate says they’re not close to passing a tax incentive bill needed to save a Kimberly-Clark mill in Fox Crossing.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says they still need six or seven more votes to approve the $100 million package.
Fitzgerald told reporters Tuesday “the votes are not there as of today.”
He says there aren’t enough Republicans in support of the bill to pass it on its own.
“In my caucus, there’s maybe 10 or 11 for this. So it’s going to take a significant amount of Democrat votes to get this through.”
It takes 17 votes to pass the bill, meaning Democrats would be needed to join Republicans in supporting it.
“If the votes are there you take to the floor and you take the vote. If it’s not, don’t expect a lot of drama or anything it’s just not going to appear on the floor of the Senate.”
Democrats have said they prefer a different approach to help the paper industry in Wisconsin, rather than the measure that would direct tens of millions of dollars in taxpayer money exclusively to Kimberly-Clark.
Kimberly-Clark has threatened to close the plant, which employs about 390 people.
