The Lie: Rebecca Kleefisch claims that Wisconsin’s labor force participation rate and unemployment rate are “artificially low.”
The Lie: Rebecca Kleefisch claims that Wisconsin’s labor force participation rate and unemployment rate are “artificially low.”
The Truth: Because of Governor Tony Evers’ leadership and fiscal responsibility, Wisconsin’s economy is booming with historically low unemployment rates, one of the highest labor force participation rates in the nation, thousands of new small businesses opening, and a historic 15% tax cut for families. [Department of Workforce Development, 1/20/22], [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/26/21], [WMTV, 1/20/22]
Our state’s economic success isn’t “artificial.” The results are real — Gov. Evers has helped nearly 3,000 small businesses open on our main streets and more than 100,000 businesses have benefited from his grant programs overall. Additionally, he’s repaired more than 1,700 miles of roadway and helped more than 300,000 homes and businesses get access to high-speed internet, which helps people stay connected and businesses operate more efficiently.
Not only is Wisconsin’s economy booming, the State also has the largest budget surplus in history — $3.8 billion. Wisconsin’s current budget surplus is nearly $2.9 billion more than was expected in June 2021. [WPR, 1/25/22]
While Gov. Evers wanted to return this money to working families who are struggling with rising costs, Republicans in the state legislature rejected his plan to give a $150 tax credit to each Wisconsin tax filer and their dependents; $600 for a family of four. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 3/8/22]
Today, Wisconsin’s unemployment rate is projected to be just 2.9 percent, tied for the lowest rate in state history.