Rep. Garey Bies’ Notes from the West Wing: Green Energy Legislation and Job Creation

Posted on 28. Jan, 2010 by in News

Good afternoon people of the First Assembly District! The Legislature is back in session in Madison taking up Green Energy legislation and job creation.

State Representative Garey Bies

The proposed Green Energy legislation will set new thresholds for the utilization of renewable energy in Wisconsin.  Moving to green alternatives should be encouraged; it is the right thing to do for the environment.  But any legislation requiring utilization of green energy must always be carefully analyzed for the fiscal ramifications that will result.

These ramifications include some that affect our citizens through the amount of money taken out of their pockets in the form of taxes, their own increased utility costs, as well as, whether the new requirements will attract jobs or chase them away. This proposed bill, as all bills, must be carefully looked at from all angles – so there are no unforeseen consequences.

Early numbers indicate that this legislation will greatly increase the cost of government – costs that must be shouldered by taxpayers. Some early estimates of the legislation indicate that the net infrastructure costs will total $16 billion though the year 2025.  We all know who is going to end up paying this extra $16 billion.

This is $16 billion that the already-strapped Wisconsin taxpayer does not have. Proponents of the bill say that it will create many jobs to help offset its costs. However, initial reviews by economists are casting some doubt on the proponents’ assertions, citing the fact that Wisconsin’s economy is heavily reliant on manufacturing.

The simple fact, according to economists, is that Wisconsin’s manufacturers are highly susceptible to increases in energy costs and passage of the legislation would result in higher, potentially significantly higher, energy costs.  Manufacturing is struggling and compounding their difficulties will not generate jobs, but chase them away.

Once again, the bottom line here is that the state does not need to be spending money it does not have. And while it would be nice if we could buy more green energy now and in the future, the price tag associated with this specific proposal is far too high. It is another example of the errant priorities of the Democrat-controlled legislature.

The legislature should be working to create real jobs for the people of Wisconsin.  We need to get the people of Wisconsin back to work. Instead, this legislature has allowed such erosion in the manufacturing sector that government jobs now outnumber manufacturing jobs in the state.  This is unacceptable!

Earlier this year, Assembly Republicans established the Jobs Now Task Force which traveled around the state and gathered suggestions from people on ways to stimulate the economy. Many of the recommendations were drafted into legislation and introduced with bi-partisan support. We are in the final few months of the legislative session, but there is still time to act on these proposals. It is job-creating efforts like these, that we need to focus on, not more spending.

Many of the proposals have completed the committee review process and are now in the Rules Committee waiting to be scheduled for floor debate. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, these proposals have yet to be scheduled.  Four proposals that form the cornerstone of the Jobs Now initiative are:

  • Assembly Bill 476- Which would direct the State of Wisconsin to develop strategies to prevent businesses from moving to other states;
  • Assembly Bill 477- Which would advance the ability of employers to claim the job tax credit;
  • Assembly Bill 478- Which would end combined reporting; and,
  • Assembly Bill 184- Which would increase the allowable income and franchise tax deduction for businesses.

The people of Wisconsin need more jobs – not more government tax-and-spend policies.

As always, I can be reached by e-mail at Rep.Bies@legis.wisconsin.gov or by telephone, toll-free at 888.482.0001.  You can also visit my website at http://www.legis.state.wi.us/assembly/asm01/news/.

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  • Craig skip Weis

    All one needs to know about 'Green anything' is that it is dangerous. Dangerous as to an economic stability. Germany and Spain have been brought to their economic knees trying to go 'Green'. You'll never hear or read the story if all that influences you is NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, ect. Find additional information maybe better to listen to the BBC World News. Going 'Green' is…
    1~Expensive.
    2~A made up liberal idea to impose a agenda. Collect money and political power.
    3~Will not save energy, simply 'burn' something else.

    Be it electric, gas, diesel, or hydrogen burning automobile will use the same BTU's if all cars are the same weight, same profile, and traveling at the same speed. Difference is the elrctric cars need a powerplant to feed them. No energy is saved. No less BTU's are burned.
    Is'nt it nice that the Ozone Hole has allowed heat to excape to the atmosphere?
    skip.

  • Craig skip Weis

    Assembly Bill 476- Which would direct the State of Wisconsin to develop strategies to prevent businesses from moving to other states;
    Answer–>Lower Taxes: No business will hire workers just to get a tax break.
    Business will not add workers as fast as they shed workers.
    What would YOU do if you had 30% more money? You'd stimulate the economy!

    Assembly Bill 477- Which would advance the ability of employers to claim the job tax credit;
    Assembly Bill 478- Which would end combined reporting; and,
    Assembly Bill 184- Which would increase the allowable income and franchise tax deduction for businesses.

  • Craig skip Weis

    Assembly Bill 476- Which would direct the State of Wisconsin to develop strategies to prevent businesses from moving to other states;
    Answer–>Lower Taxes: No business will hire workers just to get a tax break.
    Business will not add workers as fast as they shed workers.
    What would YOU do if you had 30% more money? You’d stimulate the economy!

    Assembly Bill 477- Which would advance the ability of employers to claim the job tax credit;
    Assembly Bill 478- Which would end combined reporting; and,
    Assembly Bill 184- Which would increase the allowable income and franchise tax deduction for businesses.

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