More State Ad Spending Just As Walker to Begin Campaign(s)
That Gov. Walker is about to announce his re-election and still rides the speaking circuit nationally is a coincidence:
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. will use close to 10 percent of its $5.75 million annual marketing budget — itself more than triple last year’s $1.5 million budget — for the two ads, which feature brief testimonials from business executives touting the state’s “pro-business climate” and “strong workforce.”This is the second high-profile WEDC ad blitz under Walker - - who apparently doesn't want to be outdone by another wannabe Presidential candidate, Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
A similar plan in New York State has come under fire, and a non-partisan report questioned the entire concept of business giveaways to add value to a state economy:
States are spending billions of dollars on tax incentives to lure businesses, but policymakers often don't know if the incentives work, according to a report released today.
The Council of State Governments report also said that funding education may be more important in trying to bring businesses to a state.
5 comments:
These are Walker campaign ads disguised as economic development ads, which is why they will be playing in television markets on Wisconsin's border and feature Walkers's Disney character face, plastered with makeup. It would be nice if the border states would reciprocate with ads pointing out what a wreck Wisconsin's economy is and suggesting that state companies may want to escape to where economic prospects are brighter. The economic development numbers don't lie. Fair is fair.
After seeing Lt. Gov. Kleefisch asking these same business execs "What can we do to love you more?", does anyone doubt that these ads can be a down payment to WEDC tax breaks and pro-corporate tax breaks later on?
If we had a real media in this state, they'd examine every one of these execs and their businesses, and see if there are direct connections to campaign contributions and specific laws. But then again, that same media gets big checks from these WEDC ads, so it makes for a bit of a conundrum, doesn't it?
Can't blame Gov. Walker for trying something. WEDC has been such a complete mess, so far -- one of his biggest failures yet, I think. And he sure does know how to do TV, doesn't he? I gotta give him credit for that. Also, I just read that Gov. Dayton's approval rating is just 44%. I bet Walker knows something about that, too.
I don't suppose these WEDC ads mention Trek?
I wasn't really surprised to find that as a taxpayer I am actually a Walker campaign contributor. Hopefully the WEDC will show some of it's love to me. If Ms. Hendricks who paid no state taxes in 2010 got a hug and kiss what can I expect since I did pay into his public campaign finance scheme. Thinking about what he has done to the state; we already got it.
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