Democratic Wisconsin lawmakers debuted legislation Wednesday to boost the manufacturing industry statewide, and hope to gain bipartisan support.
State Rep. Andy Jorgensen, D-Fort Atkinson, said the first part of the two-piece Marketing Manufacturers and Keeping Employees legislation would provide for a five-year, $2.6 million marketing campaign for Wisconsin manufacturers.
The idea, according to state Assembly Minority leader Rep. Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, is to market Wisconsin manufacturers on a national and international level the way the state markets Wisconsin tourism.
Jim Brey, President and CEO of Aztalan Engineering, supports the legislation.
""Between capital investments and the cost of paying your workers a livable wage, very little money is left to grow a business,"" Brey said in a statement. ""But I'm confident, with a helping hand, companies like mine can continue to grow Wisconsin's economy and create jobs.""
The second part of the bill would fund regional trade forums for Wisconsin businesses in order to encourage larger state-based companies to buy from smaller Wisconsin manufacturers.
Barca said he would like to see MMAKE passed as part of the special session, and said Gov. Scott Walker expressed interest in the bill.
""These aren't groundbreaking ideas, but they worked elsewhere,"" Jorgensen said.
