Health & Fitness
Wisconsin's Economy Moving Forward: Speaker's Briefing for August 2, 2013
I’m State Representative Robin Vos and this is the Speaker’s Briefing.
It’s easy to get lost in the details when talking our state’s economy. Getting Wisconsin back on track isn’t an overnight proposition and I’m glad that we’re finally seeing some positive results.
In early July the Federal Reserve predicted Wisconsin would be 20th in the nation for economic growth for the rest of the year. That’s a big improvement from April, when we were 40th! Southeastern Wisconsin has increased exports by 4%, and our manufacturing economy is one of the five fastest growing in the nation. Our tax revenues are up almost 5% this fiscal year, another sign that our economy is expanding. We all know that Wisconsin is definitely on an upswing.
During the two years beginning of 2011 and 2012, over 62,000 jobs were created. We are continuing to trend in a positive direction, although I wish it were faster. Unfortunately, employment is a “lagging indicator,” or one of the last things to improve when the economy finally does. That’s because job creators need to have certainty that conditions will continue to be favorable for them to expand their own workforce.
We all know that government doesn’t create private sector jobs, but we do help create the conditions that allow businesses to thrive. Assembly Republicans have done a tremendous job over the last few years getting our economy on track through government reforms and tax cuts, and I promise you that we are not done yet. I will continue to work with my colleagues every day to make sure Wisconsin keeps moving forward.
