DWD: Wisconsin’s Private Sector Added 62,072 Jobs in 2011-2012

Legislative Leaders React

MacIver News Service | May 16, 2013

Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Reggie Newson announced today that Wisconsin’s economy added over 62,000 private sector jobs in 2011-2012. According to the Department, the 62,000 jobs number is based on “actual jobs data” found on reports submitted “from nearly 160,000 Wisconsin employers.”

The Department went on to state, “The private sector job gains under Governor Walker are the best two-year gains under any Governor in over a decade.”

See the press release here.

Legislators from both parties were quick to react:

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester)

“It’s a proven fact that Wisconsin is creating jobs. Our reforms are paying off for the state; more people are back to work. We are moving Wisconsin forward. However, our work is not done. We will continue to reform government to eliminate burdensome and unnecessary regulations and provide the best environment possible for businesses to grow and hire new workers. We will reform our income tax code and provide the largest possible tax cut so more of your hard-earned dollars stay in your pocket.”

Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha)

“If Republicans spent half as much time creating jobs as they do spinning lackluster job numbers, Wisconsin might not be falling so far behind in job creation. Wisconsin also ranks 45th in wage growth according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and dead last in short-term job growth according the conservative U.S. Chamber of Commerce.”

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau)

“We are not surprised that we are seeing job creation and economic expansion in the state. Last week we added over $500 million in additional revenues and saw that income tax collection was up. Now we are seeing data that we created over 62,000 private sector jobs, which are the best two year gains under any Wisconsin Governor in over a decade.”

Senate Minority Leader Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee)

“Despite the spin, even their selective numbers confirm that Wisconsin has failed to capture the nationwide economic recovery, leaving us stalled at 44th in the nation in job growth, and last in the Midwest. The nationally accepted measure of job performance shows we’re back of the pack and heading in the wrong direction.”

State Representative John Nygren (R-Green Bay), Assembly Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Finance

” Wisconsin has gained over 60,000 private sector jobs in the last two years, compared to the Doyle administration that lost nearly 134,000 jobs over his final term. Our manufacturing job growth is strong and the state experienced a large increase in construction jobs.”