Foxconn - assembly

The state Assembly Aug. 17 approved a $3 billion tax break package for Foxconn Technology Group, a Taiwan-based electronics giant.

The vote on the “Wisconn Valley Special Session legislation” was 59-30 — three Democrats joined 56 majority Republicans to support the measure. Two Republicans and 28 Democrats voted against the bill.

The vote sent the bill to the Senate, where it must be approved before it goes to Republican Gov. Scott Walker, its chief backer. Walker announced the Foxconn deal with President Donald Trump three weeks earlier.

Foxconn wants to build a campus in southeastern Wisconsin, where workers would assemble TV display panels.

Supporters say the deal would lead to jobs and transform Wisconsin’s economy but opponents say it will weaken environmental protections, cost taxpayers and not generate the economic benefits promised.

On the record in the progressive community:

Rep. Jill Billings, D-La Crosse: “It is simply not prudent to give away $3 billion to a foreign company without doing so much as performing the necessary environmental and fiscal impact analyses, nor listening to our constituents."

Rep. Dave Considine, D-Baraboo: “This deal has gone wrong in so many ways. AB 1 lets Foxconn bypass virtually all environmental regulations that apply to them and gives them generous financial breaks. We are handing out giveaways to a company from Taiwan with no ties to Wisconsin and no assurances that they’ll give back to our communities or treat their employees — our citizens — with respect.

Rep. David Crowley, D-Milwaukee: “Right now, this deal is more like a gamble without any real guarantees that paying Foxconn $3 billion will mean good things for Wisconsin.”

Rep. Lisa Subeck, D-Madison: “To be clear, I am committed to bringing good jobs to Wisconsin, but this convoluted corporate welfare scheme is not the way to do so. We can bring good jobs to Wisconsin without selling out our environment or mortgaging our children’s futures.”

Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa, D-Milwaukee: “I’m disappointed that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle voted down amendment after amendment that were drafted to ensure the jobs that were created would pay a family supporting living wage, allow workers to organize, and give hiring preference to Wisconsin workers. This corporation is receiving over $3 billion from Wisconsinites and there is nothing on the table for Wisconsin workers and contractors. The cost of this deal is just too high.”

Editor’s note: This will be updated as we collect comments.

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