MONROE - Wisconsin will be working its way out of a deficit and opening up employment opportunities, if the new state budget unfolds the way it's intended. That's according to 51st Assemblyman Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, whose district includes Lafayette and part of Green County.
"Nothing solves a deficit better than jobs," said Marklein, in a recent interview with the Times.
Marklein said he was happy to see the county unemployment rates in Lafayette and Green falling this year and staying below the national average. Lafayette County, with 5.8 percent unemployment in May, and Green County with 7.1 percent, were well below the national rate of 9.1 percent.
"In Lafayette County, 80 percent of the people drive out of the county for employment," Marklein said. "What that tells me is these are hardworking people who do what it takes to get a job and support themselves. It tells me a lot about the values of the people in the county."
Marklein said that the two big issues facing Wisconsin - state finances and jobs - are interrelated.
The 2011-2013 budget "addresses the fiscal issue directly," he said.
"There were some tough choices, obviously," he said. "But two years from now, we won't be starting in a hole. That should be good news to municipalities, school district and taxpayers."
The 2011-2013 budget figures culminate with a total net positive $300 million, which is just a projection and not a huge sum, Marklein admitted. But he likes the cushion.
"I'm encouraged by the light at the end of the tunnel," he said. It should also encourage education and state employees, he added.
"The budget started in July 2011 with $2.5 billion in the hole, as a starting deficit, caused by obligations pushed off from the prior budget," Marklein explained. The state job outlook is already starting to turn around, he added, with Wisconsin gaining a more favorable business perception.
"So far, the business climate has improved in the state, and increased dramatically," Marklein said.
Marklein based his claims on Chief Executive's seventh annual report, which surveyed more than 550 CEOs in the United States. Last year Wisconsin ranked 41st in the nation as a favorable place to do business. This year, Wisconsin is ranked 24th and was the number one state for improvement.
"We want this (kind of) thinking, that Wisconsin is a good place to invest," Marklein said.
That is also why the new budget includes incentives, like tax deductions for jobs creation, tort and liability law reform, and tax credits, he said.
"It tells the business community and employers that the state is serious," he added.
Marklein said the Legislature is going to keep its focus on creating a favorable climate for jobs, and this fall, three areas of legislation are being emphasized.
"We're going to continue discussing jobs and economic development - that's the Governor's centerpiece," he said.
"We're going to work out the health insurance exchanges, because if we don't do it, the Federal government will come in and do it for us.
"And we will be looking at education reform and assessing student performance. Our goal is to have employable individuals when they walk out the door. Right now, twenty-six percent of the students (entering college) require remedial math and English."
Marklein said he was against Governor Walker's splitting of the University of Wisconsin system, which did not make it into the final budget.
"I didn't think it was the best solution," he said.
He also fought for low-revenue school districts.
"Some schools, like Shullsburg, are already spending below state average, and it's hard for them to absorb state cuts," he said. "They got some relief."
Marklein also said he led the charge to restore funding to WiscNet, Wisconsin's Research and Education Network, to upgrade its broadband with a $38 million federal grant.
"That money was free and clear, without a state matching (funds)," he said.
"Nothing solves a deficit better than jobs," said Marklein, in a recent interview with the Times.
Marklein said he was happy to see the county unemployment rates in Lafayette and Green falling this year and staying below the national average. Lafayette County, with 5.8 percent unemployment in May, and Green County with 7.1 percent, were well below the national rate of 9.1 percent.
"In Lafayette County, 80 percent of the people drive out of the county for employment," Marklein said. "What that tells me is these are hardworking people who do what it takes to get a job and support themselves. It tells me a lot about the values of the people in the county."
Marklein said that the two big issues facing Wisconsin - state finances and jobs - are interrelated.
The 2011-2013 budget "addresses the fiscal issue directly," he said.
"There were some tough choices, obviously," he said. "But two years from now, we won't be starting in a hole. That should be good news to municipalities, school district and taxpayers."
The 2011-2013 budget figures culminate with a total net positive $300 million, which is just a projection and not a huge sum, Marklein admitted. But he likes the cushion.
"I'm encouraged by the light at the end of the tunnel," he said. It should also encourage education and state employees, he added.
"The budget started in July 2011 with $2.5 billion in the hole, as a starting deficit, caused by obligations pushed off from the prior budget," Marklein explained. The state job outlook is already starting to turn around, he added, with Wisconsin gaining a more favorable business perception.
"So far, the business climate has improved in the state, and increased dramatically," Marklein said.
Marklein based his claims on Chief Executive's seventh annual report, which surveyed more than 550 CEOs in the United States. Last year Wisconsin ranked 41st in the nation as a favorable place to do business. This year, Wisconsin is ranked 24th and was the number one state for improvement.
"We want this (kind of) thinking, that Wisconsin is a good place to invest," Marklein said.
That is also why the new budget includes incentives, like tax deductions for jobs creation, tort and liability law reform, and tax credits, he said.
"It tells the business community and employers that the state is serious," he added.
Marklein said the Legislature is going to keep its focus on creating a favorable climate for jobs, and this fall, three areas of legislation are being emphasized.
"We're going to continue discussing jobs and economic development - that's the Governor's centerpiece," he said.
"We're going to work out the health insurance exchanges, because if we don't do it, the Federal government will come in and do it for us.
"And we will be looking at education reform and assessing student performance. Our goal is to have employable individuals when they walk out the door. Right now, twenty-six percent of the students (entering college) require remedial math and English."
Marklein said he was against Governor Walker's splitting of the University of Wisconsin system, which did not make it into the final budget.
"I didn't think it was the best solution," he said.
He also fought for low-revenue school districts.
"Some schools, like Shullsburg, are already spending below state average, and it's hard for them to absorb state cuts," he said. "They got some relief."
Marklein also said he led the charge to restore funding to WiscNet, Wisconsin's Research and Education Network, to upgrade its broadband with a $38 million federal grant.
"That money was free and clear, without a state matching (funds)," he said.