Senator Luther Olsen
(608) 266-0751

Madison… Sen. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon) delivered the weekly GOP address. On Monday, we celebrate Labor Day. With record low unemployment, the time has never been better to reflect on the state of Wisconsin’s workforce. The address is below:

Hi, I’m State Senator Luther Olsen.

As we celebrate Labor Day, we honor the contributions workers make to our state’s economic prosperity. There is no doubt that Wisconsin workers are in high demand. Employers are moving to our state and our unemployment rate has remained under 3 percent for the last six months, setting a state record. In 2010, the state’s unemployment rate was more than 9 percent. What a long way we’ve come in eight years.

More people are employed in Wisconsin than ever before. Our labor participation rate outpaces the country’s by more than 6 percent. The state is adding jobs as the economic momentum continues. In the last year alone, Wisconsin added 38,500 new private-sector jobs.

Wisconsin Republicans are investing in the state’s workforce. This session we increased funding for the Fast Forward Program to provide more grants for training for workers that target industry-identified needs, helping employers retain workers. Just this summer, the state created a special grant program to help workers find transportation to get to their jobs.

On Labor Day, in between end-of-summer pool parties and barbeques, take a moment to celebrate the workers of Wisconsin who are making our state a great place to work and live.

I encourage anyone looking for work to visit JobCenterofWisconsin.com or stop by their local job center.

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