Wisconsin employers lose faith in economy as job market sets records, lawmakers press for change | Economy
Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) releases a biannual survey of state employers. The most recent interation released Thursday found that 22 percent of CEOs feel Wisconsin’s economy is strong. That is a 17 point drop from 39 percent just six months ago.
MADISON (WKOW) — A new report shows collapsing confidence in Wisconsin’s economy even as employment remains historically strong and lawmakers push to expand hiring.
Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) releases a biannual survey of state employers. The most recent interation released Thursday found that 22 percent of CEOs feel Wisconsin’s economy is strong. That is a 17 point drop from 39 percent just six months ago.
“There are still concerns about hiring,” said WMC Vice President of Communications Nick Novak. “According to the Wisconsin Employer Survey, 72 percent of employers in the state are still struggling to hire.”
Unemployment statistics from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development released Thursday shows Wisconsin had 3,026,500 non-farm jobs in December, a record high and increase of 4,800 from the month prior.
Novak sees troubling signs ahead.
“We have seen a pretty staggering downfall in the amount of businesses that plan to hire in this coming year,” he said.
To address the workforce, a Republican-backed bill passed the Assembly Thursday on a party-line vote.
Assembly Bill 332 would make it easier for people with out-of-state occupational liscenses to work in Wisconsin.
Under current policy, many workers in professions which require a license, like real estate or social work, have to apply for a reciprocal license from the state, even if they already possess a similar credential in another state with equally rigerous standards as Wisconsin.
The bill would, if passed by the Senate and signed by the governor, implement “universal licensure” where licenses from other states could be elligible for reciprocal licensing in Wisconsin regardless of the standards expected in those places.
“This isn’t a conservative or a liberal issue,” said Rep. Shae Sortwell (R-Two Rivers) during debate on the Assembly floor. “This is just common sense. Let’s let the people get to work as quickly as possible.”
In an email, Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale claimed the bill would “undermine the safety of workers and consumers, depress wages and lower standards.”
Novak sees the economy as about a lot more than jobs.
“We need to allow businesses to do what they do best and that’s invest in our local communities and expand our economy,” he said.
