"Vos and Fitzgerald's claim [is] not only wrong, but ridiculous"

MADISON -- After news that Foxconn would, yet again, be changing its plans for construction in Wisconsin, Republican leaders Robin Vos and Scott Fitzgerald were quick to point the finger at newly-inaugurated Governor Evers, claiming a “wave of economic uncertainty” caused Foxconn to scale back its plans.

Politifact Wisconsin has designated the claim “absurd,” giving it a “Pants on Fire” rating.

EXCERPTS FROM POLITIFACT:

When we asked Vos and Fitzgerald to back up their claim, Vos spokeswoman Kit Beyer noted a series of changes in Evers’ economic policy positions over time. But she said Republicans had no direct evidence connecting Foxconn’s changes to Evers or any action by the new governor…

Meanwhile, Foxconn hasn’t explicitly laid out its current plans or the reasoning behind them — but several reports have pointed to market factors rather than political ones….

Nikkei claimed the Wisconsin delay was "as a result of negotiations with new Gov. Tony Evers," citing a company document. But its article did not quote from the document or provide additional details.

In any case, Foxconn disputed the Nikkei report and spoke positively of Evers…

"All interactions to date with Governor Evers and his team have been constructive…”

In addition, Mark Hogan, head of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., WEDC, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Evers has not sought to renegotiate the Foxconn agreement or to pursue any side deals with the company — as claimed in the Nikkei report...

Experts say it simply wouldn’t make sense for Foxconn — a major global player —  to take action in response to a governor who was just sworn in Jan. 7, 2019.

"It’s pretty clearly a partisan statement that doesn’t connect to how corporations work…”

Published reports attribute the potential changes to an array of market and economic factors, including labor costs in the U.S., declining consumer demand and the trade war with China. Experts say those are historically the kinds of factors that drive business decisions, not politics.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/foxconnwisconsin-s5.jpgDeal’s Constant Changes Doesn’t Bode Well for Wisconsin Workers.

Want immediate action in Wisconsin to protect vital services and coverage.

MADISON, WI – As Legislative Republicans continue their effort to overturn key Affordable Care Act (ACA) protections, Senate Democrats are urging immediate action to protect vital services and coverage. Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) has introduced The Comprehensive Health Care Protection Bill that would safeguard children, families and seniors.  

“For the past eight years Legislative Republicans have made it their mission to undermine the health care marketplace, limit access to coverage and protect the profits of wealthy insurance executives,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse). “Local families I’ve heard from say they can’t afford more out-of-pocket costs, especially those with pre-existing conditions and seniors living on a fixed income. Senate Democrats are committed to working with legislative leaders and Gov. Evers to put the health and wellbeing of Wisconsin residents first, protect the Affordable Care Act, expand Badgercare.”

The Comprehensive Health Care Protection Bill includes the following provisions:

·         Prohibit insurance companies from discriminating based on a person’s pre-existing condition.

·         Prohibit lifetime and annual limits under health policies and plans.

·         Require coverage of and prohibit cost sharing for preventive services under health insurance policies and plans.

·         Require health insurance policies to cover essential health benefits specified by DHS with limits on cost sharing.

·         Require health plans to permit enrollment regardless of health status or gender.

Foxconn’s reputation for abandoning projects and failing to deliver on thousands of promised jobs has been well documented says Democratic leader.

MADISON, WI – Once again questions are being raised about the future of Foxconn in Wisconsin as the foreign mega-corporation rolls back its plans for a high-tech manufacturing plant and misses jobs targets. Having originally promised a massive cutting-edge Gen 10.5 factory near Racine, then announcing a smaller Gen 6 facility, Foxconn will no longer focus on LCD manufacturing according to a recent report by Reuters. Despite the scaled-back plans, millions of taxpayers dollars have already been spent subsidizing this corporate project and building infrastructure that may never be utilized.

“The Walker administration and legislative Republicans failed to put in place stronger safeguards to hold Foxconn accountable and protect Wisconsin taxpayers,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse). “Their negligence has put home-grown businesses at a competitive disadvantage while committing taxpayers to decades of economic costs and liabilities for a project that continues to shrink in size and scope. At some point, Republican politicians will need to wake up and realize that these massive taxpayer handouts to foreign corporations are busting our budget and preventing Wisconsin families and businesses from getting ahead. Democrats want to increase oversight and accountability to ensure that Wisconsin communities and workers are protected.”

Foxconn’s reputation for abandoning projects and failing to deliver on thousands of promised jobs has been well documented. Development plans by Foxconn in places like Pennsylvania, Indonesia, India, Vietnam and Brazil all failed to materialize or meet promised expectations.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/foxconn-groundbreak-s5.jpgDOA Secretary-designee Joel Brennan urges caution after Reuters report that Foxconn Technology Group is reconsidering plans to make LCD displays in Wisconsin.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/eric-genrich-wbay-announcement-s5.jpgCandidate for Mayor has asked people throughout the community for their thoughts, and come up with a plan.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/wi-senate-swearing-in-s5.jpgThe legislature is considering a middle class tax cut for Wisconsin. Sen. Jeff Smith writes about how a new legislative session can turn the page for bipartisanship and his goals for cultivating good ideas and building trust across the aisle.

Democratic members of the Joint Committee on Finance want State to withdraw from the partisan political lawsuit.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/littoral-combat-ship-s5.jpgShipyard expansion ensures Marinette Marine maintains a workforce of 1,500 employees, adds additional 400 full-time positions.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/voter-us-elections-s5.jpgVoter turnout up, but there is still room for improving elections in Wisconsin and encouraging greater voter engagement.