Baldwin pushes bipartisanship at Kenosha chamber breakfast

SOMERS — U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin said rebuilding the nation’s economy takes a bipartisan commitment with federal and state Democrats and Republicans working together to find solutions that will promote business growth.

Speaking at a Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce legislative breakfast Monday morning, Baldwin noted that the nation’s economy is progressing slower than expected. Applauding economic development efforts in Kenosha County, she noted how partnerships have been important in this region’s business growth.

The Wisconsin Democrat also noted how Gateway Technical College and other local entities are building the technology to address the employment issues of the future, and she praised the efforts of two Kenosha-based companies, Snap-on and Xten Industries.

“One thing that both parties should be able to agree upon is the need to create economic growth by investing in the workforce readiness that we need and advance manufacturing innovation making us more competitive in the state and in the nation,” Baldwin said during the event at the Kenosha Country Club.

“Our made-in-Wisconsin tradition, work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit deserve nothing else than our combined commitment,” Baldwin added. “Simply put, we need to find common ground and work across party lines. So wherever, I go throughout the state, people think we should have both parties working.”

Wide variety of topics

Addressing a question on the Great Lakes and the threatened invasion of the Asian carp, Baldwin said the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is important and is getting renewed attention.

She said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ report and plan for preventing the Asian carp from invading the great Lakes need to be prioritized.

Baldwin touched on the Affordable Care Act, through which nearly 140,000 Wisconsin residents had signed up for coverage as of mid-April.

She cautioned that the number might not tell the whole story because since Gov. Scott Walker rejected an expansion of Medicaid in the state, some of the new enrollees might include those who were previously covered under BadgerCare.

Baldwin suggested that medical care costs need to be “reined in” to reduce the overall cost.

Minimum wage, unemployment

Baldwin said the failure of Congress to pass bills on the minimum wage and the extension of unemployment benefits are defeats that are hindering the growth of the economy, because the additional money would be spent by people who are paying bills and buying merchandise.

This spending, she noted, would help the economy.

In praise of Kenosha

Baldwin said she believes Kenosha County has the necessary infrastructure and amenities to create sustainable economic growth in 2014.

Baldwin said Kenosha County, unlike some other regions of Wisconsin, may be more poised for growth because of alliances established among businesses, the Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce, the Kenosha Area Business Alliance, the Kenosha Unified School District and Gateway Technical College.

She said these alliances help businesses expand and train workers with skills necessary for companies to thrive.

Baldwin said partnerships with companies like Snap-on have been very important. Alliances with educational institutions re needed to create economic growth through the developing of a skilled workforce, she said.

“Nationally, the recovery has been painfully slow,” Baldwin said. “And Wisconsin's growth has been slower than in many other states. We have to take a fresh look at how to grow the economy faster.”

Focus on trade

Because Wisconsin is a big manufacturing state, Baldwin said new measures are necessary to ensure a level playing field in global trade. Baldwin believes more venture capital for startups is important, as well as more controls on imported goods that compete with American-made products.

As an example, she noted that Wisconsin’s paper manufacturers are at a disadvantage against China’s paper companies.

“They were started by the Chinese government, and because of that they can offer lower prices. China invested $3.3 billion in funding their paper industry,” she said.

Baldwin suggested that tariffs placed on foreign imports would help level the playing field for U.S. manufacturers.

In April, Baldwin sought a measure to hold China accountable for currency manipulation, which gives Chinese businesses an unfair advantage over U.S. businesses.

In March, she joined a bipartisan Senate effort to protect Wisconsin and American dairy farmers and producers from a European initiative that would change common names for American cheeses, thereby lessening their market value overseas.