11 August, 2017
Earlier in the week, Fitzgerald also said senators were considering adding benchmarks to state law that would require Foxconn to create a certain number of jobs by certain dates.
But since then, questions have mounted around the Taiwanese electronics manufacturer, which plans to set up a liquid crystal display (LCD) plant in southeast Wisconsin.
Still, Walker said this week he believes it's a good deal that will ultimately get approved.
Rep. Adam Neylon, R-Pewaukee, who heads the Assembly Committee on Jobs and the Economy which held the hearing, said he has heard lawmakers are considering submitting to him between 50 and 60 amendments making changes to the bill but that seven are being drafted - four of which also have support from Democrats.
But Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said Wednesday he's going to send the bill to the Legislature's budget-writing committee and reiterated his previous stance that the committee should finish work on the state budget before addressing the incentives.
The Republican leader said he wants to know more about how bonding for the reconstruction of I-94 near the plant's likely site will affect a projected $1 billion shortfall in the state's transportation fund. The measure exempts the company from a range of environmental regulations. He was told the state will enter into a contract with Foxconn to enact provisions in the bill and that deal will include a timeline for job creation.
Fitzgerald also said he wants to build in a cushion in the next state spending plan in case there's an economic slowdown that results in lower tax revenues for the state. One of them is based on the plant locating in Racine County's Mt.
The Wisconsin Senate's top Republican wants to know when the jobs Foxconn has promised to create in the state will materialize, as his chamber ponders an incentive package for the company.
The Wisconsin state senate does not yet have enough votes to sign off on a huge Chinese investment that has been backed by President Donald Trump, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Neylon said more changes could be submitted before his committee votes on the bill, which they are scheduled to do on Tuesday.
Fitzgerald emerged from a meeting with his members and members of Gov. Scott Walker's cabinet late Thursday afternoon and told reporters he didn't count votes but felt more confident. "We never have; we never will". Some reports say that the facility may draw employees from northern IL and of course, from Milwaukee.
