U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin has pledged to fight for “robust funding” for the federal Tech Hub program under the new administration, noting some of Donald Trump’s advisors may be open to continued government support for innovation. 

Speaking during a recent webinar hosted by the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, the Madison Dem discussed a recent meeting with Howard Lutnick, Trump’s pick to lead the U.S. Department of Commerce. She said she made a point to spotlight the Tech Hub program as well as Wisconsin’s Biohealth Tech Hub effort in that conversation. 

“I think he has a little of a learning curve, but I made sure he knew about our particular tech hub in the state of Wisconsin, and that there would be bipartisan support for the program, because there were tech hubs in many different states,” she said. 

She added “there will be some changes” due to the new administration’s differing priorities and Republicans gaining control of the U.S. Senate in the 2024 elections, but aims to keep the tech hub program running. 

“Frankly, just to be really clear, if somebody does propose cutting this, we’re fighting back,” she said. “We’re not just going to roll over and say, ‘Oops, that was nice while it lasted.’ We’re going to fight to make sure this program stays robustly supported.”

After the state’s tech hub effort, led by BioForward Wisconsin, was initially selected for the program, the U.S. Economic Development Administration recommended it receive about $49 million to advance a series of projects. These relate to mobile cancer screening in underserved areas, using AI and other data techniques to advance technology integration in various industries, establishing talent pipelines and more. 

Baldwin also acknowledged the role of the new Department of Government Efficiency, which is tasked with reducing government spending, noting it will likely be recommending some “pretty painful” cuts. 

But she said “at least some” of the advisors Trump is tapping for his second term understand the importance of innovation happening in the United States. 

“And in fact, a couple of them also understand very well the need for government support of some of that innovation,” she said. “So if, frankly, Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk have the president’s ear, hopefully we can build some alliances there too.” 

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