MADISON, WI – On April 8, Gov. Tony Evers vetoed Assembly Bill 940, a proposal introduced by State Rep. Dave Armstrong (R-Rice Lake) that would have required the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to submit to the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee its plan for spending at least $3 million on talent attraction and retention initiatives.
“Wisconsin is in the middle of a severe labor shortage, and Wisconsin businesses need all the help they can get,” Representative Armstrong said. “Talent attraction and retention programs are an important element in addressing this problem, but WEDC has been slow to act on this front, despite language in the 2021-2023 state budget – which Governor Evers signed – directing it to do so. AB 940 was intended as another nudge in the right direction, to get WEDC to fully carry out its duties, and I am proud that AB 940 received bipartisan support (14-0) in the Assembly small business development committee.
“Despite this, Governor Evers vetoed AB 940, calling it ‘unnecessary interference’. I wish it was unnecessary to prod WEDC to act in a timely manner, but I’m afraid that’s not the case under Governor Evers’ leadership, and the Legislature has a duty to hold his administration accountable. Governor Evers claims that WEDC ‘fully intends to meet its requirements’ to spend the $3 million on talent attraction and retention, but Wisconsin businesses need employees now.”