MADISON, WI (WHBL) - Following Governor Scott Walker's sixth State of the State Address at the State Capitol Tuesday night, WHBL News heard reaction from the three state legislators who represent the majority of Sheboygan County. Below is what they told us.
Devin LeMahieu, 9th District Senator
“I think the governor hit the nail on the head with the State of the State. Our jobs participation rate is the lowest in the last 20 years, unemployment is the lowest in the last ten years, and what he said is what I’m hearing from employers. There’s looking for employees that have the skills to meet their needs; there’s job openings and I think that’s where we need to focus on; making sure that our youth get the education and the training that they need so that they can enter the workforce because there’s jobs out there waiting and Wisconsin’s economy is moving forward.”
Terry Katsma, 26th District Assemblyman
“We worked hard in 2015 to make Wisconsin a more attractive place to live and work, and the progress highlighted by the Governor demonstrates that things are improving.
“It’s been 14 years since the state’s unemployment rate has been as low as what it is right now. We’re already been taking steps such as freezing in-state college tuition to make sure that our next generation of workers can learn the skills that they need to succeed. We passed a budget that include no tax increases despite increasing K-12 education funding, and preserving long term care programs and Senior Care. And we’ve been researching ways to improve the quality of life for patients and family members that are inflicted by Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
“But, more work remains to be done, and I look forward to having Governor Walker’s leadership on some new priorities. There more we can do to train workers to fill the tens of thousands of jobs that are going unfilled in Wisconsin; jobs that must be filled for our businesses to grow, including the 24-hundred jobs currently open in Sheboygan County alone. Although we have been reducing our state’s incredibly high tax burden, we still can do better. We made enormous progress, and the governor’s message tonight demonstrates more clearly than ever that Wisconsin is moving in the right direction.”
Tyler Vorpagel, 27th District Assemblyman
“The state of our state is strong and full of opportunity. Our unemployment rate is at a 14-year low, as our economy continues to grow. In Sheboygan County employers are looking to fill more than 2,000 job openings, most of which are full time positions with benefits, and more jobs are being created almost daily. By working together, we have moved Wisconsin forward by reducing taxes and adopting common-sense policies that help move people off of government dependence and to self-reliance. Today, it’s important to pause and recognize what we’ve been able to do, but to also discuss the things left undone.
“I look forward to working with the governor to make college more affordable and help train workers, which are so desperately needed by our employers. The education proposals offered tonight by the governor continues our investment in K-12 and will open the doors of higher education to more families.
“Furthermore, I’m glad that we are stepping up to have a conversation, and passing meaningful legislation on Alzheimer’s and Dementia, which continues to be a massive issue not only in Wisconsin, but nationwide.
“Our state is headed in the right direction, and every day we’re working hard to improve Wisconsin.”