Sen. Hansen: Statement on the Closing of Fox Valley Paper Mills

“Today’s announcement that Kimberly-Clark is closing two mills in the Fox Valley and firing 600 workers is sad news for the workers and their families, for our paper industry and our state.  It is especially concerning given that the closings come on the heels of Kimberly-Clark’s announcement that they would use savings generated by the Trump/Republican corporate tax cut to fund the shutdown of these mills and to fire 600 Wisconsin workers.

“While this may be good news for Kimberly-Clark’s shareholders, it comes at the expense of 600 workers and their families who now face an uncertain future in a state where the Governor seems not only out of touch with the true state of our economy, but who is also unconcerned about the number of good paying jobs that keep disappearing.

“The closing of these mills and resulting loss of jobs is especially troubling.  Paper industry jobs are some of the best in Wisconsin.  For generations, they have played a key role in creating and sustaining a strong middle class in our state.

“Unfortunately, the current governor, who can’t seem to give enough of our tax dollars to Taiwanese giant Foxconn to help workers in northern Illinois, couldn’t seem to care less.

“Rather than commit billions of tax dollars to a gambit that at best will help a small part of the it makes more sense to invest in Wisconsin’s existing employers and employees, help local entrepreneurs from around the state start and grow new businesses, and provide the education and infrastructure that will set Wisconsin apart from the competition.  Doing that will not only help keep jobs like the those being lost in the Fox Valley, but it will make all of Wisconsin attractive to outside investors for years to come.”