Building a “Made In Wisconsin” Economy

Wisconsin families and businesses are working as hard as ever and they deserve to get ahead - but far too many are barely getting by. People are still working to achieve that middle class dream: a good job that pays the bills, health care coverage you can rely on; a home you can call your own, a chance to save for your kids’ college education, and a secure retirement.Tammy Baldwin at Gateway Tech But instead, too many are finding that even two jobs aren’t enough to make ends meet, and that those jobs are hard to find and hard to keep. 

This is the biggest gap of all: the gap between the economic security Wisconsinites work so hard to achieve and the economic uncertainty that they are asked to settle for. And if we can’t close that gap, we might someday talk about the middle class as something we used to have, not something each generation can aspire to.

This is why I am committed to investing in a “Made in Wisconsin” economy that is built to last and will help us strengthen and grow our middle class. In order to do this, we must out educate, out-innovate and out-build the rest of the world by:

    Investing in Quality Education

    In Wisconsin, we have a long history of making strong investments in our schools because we understand that a quality education helps build a strong middle class. A quality education includes focusing on early childhood education; investing in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies; providing access to affordable higher education; and ensuring workforce readiness. We know that if we make strong investments in education today, it will help build a stronger economy tomorrow.

    Strengthening Our Manufacturing Economy

    Manufacturing has long been the backbone of our Wisconsin economy. In order to create economic security for Wisconsin families, we need to invest in workforce readiness and grow our advanced manufacturing economy. We are fortunate to have a strong technical college system that is working to provide Wisconsin businesses a skilled workforce so that they can compete and grow. Continued investments in education and innovation will help strengthen and our advanced manufacturing sector and move our economy forward.

    Investing in Innovation, Science, Research and Technology

    In the proud tradition of Wisconsin’s state motto, Forward, we must make a strong commitment to supporting innovation, science, research and technology if we are going to build an economy that competes with other states and the rest of the world. Wisconsin has been a science and research leader and we need to harness these assets with investments that will fuel an innovative economy.

    Building a Modern American Infrastructure

    Putting people to work rebuilding our roads, bridges and ports will create jobs and boost local economies. I believe that in order for us to create an economy built to last we need to invest in a 21st century American infrastructure that provides businesses with the quality transportation system they need to move their goods to market.

    Supporting Small Businesses

    Small businesses are the engines of our economy, creating two out of every three jobs right now. If we give our workers and small business owners a fair shot, they will compete against anyone. When our businesses grow, Wisconsin families get ahead and the economic security of the middle class is strengthened. We need to reduce the tax burden on small businesses so that they can continue to create jobs and drive our economy forward.

    A Responsible Budget

    Both parties must work together to tackle the dual challenges our country faces today –reducing our debt and deficit in a responsible and balanced way without shortchanging our future, and continuing to move our economic recovery in the right direction. Our budget should reflect our values and priorities. That means strengthening the essential pillars of economic security for the middle class – quality education, affordable health care, a good paying job and retirement security. I want to see a budget that holds true to the belief that in America, everyone should pay their fair share and everyone deserves a fair shot.

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