The other white meat.
Posted on 01/05/2006 5:38:28 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
(Calls for investing in worker training...)
MERRILL, WI - Wisconsin has experienced a remarkable economic turnaround and there's a shortage of trained people to hold jobs, Gov. Jim Doyle said Wednesday evening as he kicked off a series of town hall meetings leading up to his annual State of the State message to lawmakers.
"I am proud to report to you (that) in November we had more people working than in any time in history," Doyle said. "The jobs are there. We've got to get people trained for those jobs, and it's important we make that investment."
About 100 people packed a public library room as Doyle outlined his priorities for the next year - improving education, expanding access to health care, creating jobs and worker training.
"This is what I live for - I just want to make sure every young person in Wisconsin gets a quality education," Doyle said.
The governor offered few specifics on what he intended to propose to accomplish his goals.
The closest he came was saying that health care programs like BadgerCare, SeniorCare and the state's portion of Medicaid can be designed so they are more flexible and more directed at preventative care.
Doyle said one of the big challenges facing the state in coming decades will be preserving the "great northern forests" from pressures of development.
"It is vital that we maintain the Stewardship Fund in Wisconsin," he said, vowing to veto any plan to scrap the program that provides money for buying land for conservation and preservation purposes.
Doyle said he supported a proposal requiring gasoline in Wisconsin to contain 10 percent ethanol.
"We can help agriculture and we can help our economy," he said.
He also said good roads and a good transportation system, including mass transit in the state's largest cities, are crucial to economic growth.
"If we don't have good roads, people aren't coming to Merrill and won't start businesses in Merrill," he said.
Roger Strand, of Merrill, asked Doyle if he had any proposals for dealing with high energy costs plaguing consumers.
The state can do little on natural gas prices because the industry was deregulated in the 1980s, Doyle said.
As for rising gasoline prices, Doyle said the recent spikes had nothing to do with supplies, and they occurred because the big oil companies simply knew they could raise prices.
"I am going to continue to raise my voice as loudly as I can until Congress does something," Doyle said. "They don't have to make these kinds of profits."
Doyle stood alongside a large poster outlining what are described as accomplishments of his administration to reduce government spending - perhaps offering a preview of his campaign this year for a second four-year term.
The list included cutting $670 million in what Doyle called the cost of running state government, eliminating 3,900 state jobs, selling 1,000 state-owned cars and seven airplanes and eliminating 1,500 cell phones.
Thomas Burg, of Merrill, urged Doyle to continue vetoing any measures passed by the Legislature to allow people to carry concealed weapons.
Doyle assured him he would, saying, "You can be sure I'm going to stand with law enforcement on this issue."
Mary Mangold, 60, of Merrill, said she came to the 90-minute session on a snowy night not to give Doyle any advice but to listen.
"I just think we've got to be very concerned and interested in what is going on with our government," she said. "I just feel we ordinary people have got to get involved."
Doyle, a Democrat, will give his State of the State address to a joint session of the Legislature Jan. 17 at the Capitol.
A year ago, Doyle focused on solving a projected $1.6 billion deficit for the two-year period through June 30, 2007, because expected revenues didn't cover requested spending by state agencies.
Doyle said a new issue emerging this year is how to get workers trained for the jobs that are being created.
"This will be a message that Wisconsin has made some really remarkable progress in the last couple of years," he said. "We have seen a really remarkable economic turnaround in the state."
The state's unemployment rate in November was 4.3 percent, compared with 3.8 percent in October. State labor economist Eric Gross said the increase during November was a common trend for that time of the year.
A second town hall meeting is planned for today in Oshkosh.
Doyle takes credit for job creation: Sorry, Bub. We were on a roll before you got here. It's definately NOT you; you just haven't been able to slow down and destroy our rampant Capitalism...yet. ;)
And don't let that veto pen of yours run out of ink! With every stroke you make another great reason to vote against you come '06. ;)
"Everything That's Wrong With Wisconsin, Neatly Laid Out Here" Ping. :)
The other white meat.
Funny how the article states an increase in the jobless rate is seasonal. If this were a Bush person and not some lefty from the Boyle administration, there would be a whole list of economists refuting the claim.
Rep. Mark Green and the state GOP needs to step aside and support Walker.
Doyle has to go. This state is infested with liberal politicians. I'm sick of it.
I'll be voting for Scott Walker for governor.
I did some volunteer work for Scott's County Executive campaign. He's a great a man with the best interest of Wisconsinites on his agenda.
So, let's begin.
"I am proud to report to you (that) in November we had more people working than in any time in history," Doyle said. "The jobs are there. We've got to get people trained for those jobs, and it's important we make that investment."
Translation: I'm up for re-election, and I don't know what else to say. So I'm going to say the jobs are there, but in all reality, I don't have the slightest clue where they are. Let's just hope the Republicans don't either.
"This is what I live for - I just want to make sure every young person in Wisconsin gets a quality education," Doyle said.
Translation: The teachers' unions are in my back pocket and they want money. So I'm going to give it to them and call it quality education. Did I mention I'm up for reelection? Vote Quimby Doyle.
"We can help agriculture and we can help our economy,"
Translation: I need these votes from the farmers. I also need you to bend over and open your wallet some more.
"If we don't have good roads, people aren't coming to Merrill and won't start businesses in Merrill,"
Translation: If I can't keep the road builders in my pocket, I'm going to need the want ads come November. Building roads is for the greater good--my greater good.
"I am going to continue to raise my voice as loudly as I can until Congress does something,"
Translation: Sales of earplugs are up 800%--especially with the government's multi-million dollar order. Perhaps we need to find out why earplug manufacturers are making "excess profits" and ripping us off...
"You can be sure I'm going to stand with law enforcement on this issue."
Translation: Screw you, Joe Citizen. I need the Police Union votes. Plus, since most criminals vote Democrat, this'll help me keep my job. I'm not worried about you. I need this fat job...
"We have seen a really remarkable economic turnaround in the state."
Translation: Didya see!! Us Dems can create economic growth too! Whaddya think? You're gonna vote for me, now? Please? Pretty please?
A second town hall meeting is planned for today in Oshkosh
Translation: Headache medicine is through the roof in Oshkosh. Pharmacists are baffled. More at 11.
I guess that is why the state built a by pass around Merrill then...
Poor Merril has been dried up for over 25 yrs since the window plant and paper mills shut down...
Most folks work down in Wausau..
Doyle and his lying dems and his buddy David Obey havent down
much for Merrill from the looks of things...
Thus showing that he is either incredibly stupid or incredibly cynical in his manipulation of those few silly enough to listen to him.
Thanks for getting involved and sending out all the articles, Diana. ;)
Say, Diana, I'm wondering- is Barbara Lawton is running for re-election as your Lt. Gov.?
Oh, Yeah, Baby. She'll be locking up the gay & militant unwashed Femi-Nazi base for Doyle. *Rolleyes*
http://barbaralawton.com/
"Rep. Mark Green and the state GOP needs to step aside and support Walker."
I couldn't agree with you more. Walker's my man, too. :)
You're welcome. 2006 is going to be very interesting for our state. :)
He hasn't done a single good thing for this state since taking office. He has vetoed, repeatedly, many very popular pieces of legislation. He serves only the Party and the special interests.
Hi, fellow Wisconsin Conserva-Babes!
What I want to know is if Scott Walker took down those awful and embarrassing signs @ Mitchell that said, "You are now entering Tom Ament County, Home of Tom Ament Airport, All Bow Before Me!" etc., etc.
Don't let him fool you on the elimination of state worker jobs, either. State employees are being let go, and from where I sit, it looks like we're hiring about 1.5 contract employees for every state employee gone.
You're in the perfect position to know, that's for sure. I've had both State and Federal military-related jobs in the past. These days, with over 20 years experience in the field, I don't think even I could get a toe in the door, let alone land a job in that sector.
Keep your resume at the ready and watch your back...and when I make my first million, I'll hire you. :)
Thanks! I may need to take you up on that! I was just brushing up my resume last weekend - I haven't updated it since 2000, so there's a little work to be done.
Reminds me when Clinton beat Bush I after hamering him for the economy he took credit for the turnaround a month before he took office.
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