Assembly Democrats renewed calls Wednesday for an extraordinary session to address recent layoffs in the state, arguing the Legislature hasn’t done enough to create jobs.
Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, and state Reps. JoCasta Zamarripa, D-Milwaukee, and Andy Jorgensen, D-Milton, accused the Republican majority at a press conference of not doing enough to combat companies leaving Wisconsin.
Last month, Kraft Heinz announced it would close its Oscar Mayer plant in Madison. Days later, Johnson & Johnson and Tyson Foods said they would move jobs out of their facilities in Racine and Jefferson, respectively.
“It is a shame we have to ask for jobs bills to be heard in the Legislature,” Zamarripa said at the press conference. “It is even worse that the people of this state asking for action are not being heard … There is still time to hold an extraordinary session on jobs.”
Barca said Republicans’ priorities were misplaced by reforming the Government Accountability Board and campaign finance laws in an extraordinary session last month.
“What a horrendous agenda for Wisconsin,” Barca said.
Oscar Mayer employee Mike Valentine joined the lawmakers at the press conference. He said the closing of the plant, which has operated in Madison for over 100 years, thrusts workers into a difficult position ahead of the holiday season.
"With the holidays, it's just a tough time for a lot of people," Valentine said. “We had a very secure job with great benefits and great wages."
Republican leaders have said they will work on economic issues when the Legislature next has floor session in January.
