The state Senate passed a job creation bill Thursday by a 32-1 vote. State Sen. Glenn Grothman, R-West Bend, was the only member to vote against the bill.
Introduced by Senate Democrats last year, the C.O.R.E. Jobs Act aims to increase investments in businesses across Wisconsin. The bill also plans to create a UW System-wide business competition modeled on UW-Madison's current business competition.
State Sen. Julie Lassa, D-Stevens Point, an author of the bill, said the bipartisan vote shows the pressing need to rejuvenate Wisconsin's economy.
""This is the kind of focus and urgency we need to revive Wisconsin's economy and create good paying jobs,"" she said in a statement.
Although the bill passed with support from both sides of the aisle, Republican members criticized the bill for not doing enough to revitalize Wisconsin's economy.
""I was hopeful [Senate Democrats] would use this legislation as a vehicle to undo the damage they did to Wisconsin's economy when they passed the state budget. There is no question that their $5 billion in tax increases have killed jobs and delayed our state's economic recovery,"" state Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, said in a statement.
Senate Republicans unveiled their own jobs proposal Thursday morning. The plan promises to reduce taxes and curb government spending.
The Jobs Act includes some provisions outlined in the Republicans' plan, including an education tax credit and measures to reduce health-care costs.
The legislation now moves on to the Assembly. According to a statement, Gov. Jim Doyle has said he plans to sign the bill if it passes.
