MONROE - John Waelti's economic plan sounds very familiar.
Some of it is almost word-for-word the same economic plan put forward by Wisconsin Democrats last week.
Waelti's plan, as well as the Assembly Democrats' proposal, calls for $30 million for an energy independence and loan program. Both economic proposals mention the Republicans in the Assembly cut the amount of spending in half. There also is a call for a 25 percent renewable energy research and development tax credit.
"The state should be supporting companies who are investing in creating jobs that will fuel the future of our state's economy," both plans say.
The plans call for a prohibition from granting contracts to companies that send jobs overseas.
Waelti said he doesn't see a problem with the fact his goals are in line with Assembly Democrats'.
"They're consistent with what other Democrats have proposed," he said. "I think they are things we need to do."
Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, has voted with his party's caucus 90 percent of the time, Waelti said, so there shouldn't be any complaints that Waelti's too closely associated with his party.
Waelti said he's not following the party line because he supports the same objectives of other Democrats.
He pointed out his plan goes beyond the one proposed by Assembly Democrats.
"My economic plan is also based on agriculture and health care," he said. "I'd like to see some high-tech labs that are complementary to our agriculture."
The plans proposed by Waelti and the Democrats mention that Davis opposed some of their plans.
Davis said the plans are "political rhetoric" and added the Democrats are playing politics with a few of the bills.
Davis said it's time to go beyond partisan politics when it comes to the economy.
"Renewable energy is a non-partisan issue," Davis said.
Davis said political parties should focus on the economy and what can be done to help people in Wisconsin.
Waelti agrees.
"Our local people in our rural towns are suffering," he said. "Government needs to start paying attention to Main Street instead of Wall Street."
Some of it is almost word-for-word the same economic plan put forward by Wisconsin Democrats last week.
Waelti's plan, as well as the Assembly Democrats' proposal, calls for $30 million for an energy independence and loan program. Both economic proposals mention the Republicans in the Assembly cut the amount of spending in half. There also is a call for a 25 percent renewable energy research and development tax credit.
"The state should be supporting companies who are investing in creating jobs that will fuel the future of our state's economy," both plans say.
The plans call for a prohibition from granting contracts to companies that send jobs overseas.
Waelti said he doesn't see a problem with the fact his goals are in line with Assembly Democrats'.
"They're consistent with what other Democrats have proposed," he said. "I think they are things we need to do."
Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, has voted with his party's caucus 90 percent of the time, Waelti said, so there shouldn't be any complaints that Waelti's too closely associated with his party.
Waelti said he's not following the party line because he supports the same objectives of other Democrats.
He pointed out his plan goes beyond the one proposed by Assembly Democrats.
"My economic plan is also based on agriculture and health care," he said. "I'd like to see some high-tech labs that are complementary to our agriculture."
The plans proposed by Waelti and the Democrats mention that Davis opposed some of their plans.
Davis said the plans are "political rhetoric" and added the Democrats are playing politics with a few of the bills.
Davis said it's time to go beyond partisan politics when it comes to the economy.
"Renewable energy is a non-partisan issue," Davis said.
Davis said political parties should focus on the economy and what can be done to help people in Wisconsin.
Waelti agrees.
"Our local people in our rural towns are suffering," he said. "Government needs to start paying attention to Main Street instead of Wall Street."