MADISON – Today the Wisconsin State Assembly met to vote on a slate of bills focused on the economy, employment regulations, and the state’s workforce. The session took place against the backdrop of worker shortages and the lowest unemployment rate in state history. Assembly Democrats argued that the package of Republican sponsored measures failed to address the root causes of workforce shortages and instead punished individuals’ use of state benefit programs. Representative Samba Baldeh (D-Madison) issued the following statement in response:
“With the lowest unemployment rate in our state’s history and businesses clamoring for more workers we need to be investing in policies that will attract workers not making it harder for folks to get the help they need.”
In response to a proposal to limit the number of weeks that individuals can claim unemployment benefits, Democrats introduced amendments that encourage workers to come to the state by increasing funding for healthcare, childcare, and broadband infrastructure.
“To meet the challenge of workers retiring faster than they are joining the workforce we must attract new workers by providing them with the services that make them want to live and work in Wisconsin.”
