Free Market Advocacy Group Attributes Decline In
Wisconsin Jobless Rate to Anti-Growth Policies

Americans for Prosperity calls for political climate friendly to small business

MILWAUKEE – The Wisconsin jobless rate, which is an indicator used to measure the number of people unable to find work, reached its highest level since 1986 at 5.8%, up from 4.6% in December 2007 according to the Department of Workforce Development. Although this trend is not specific to Wisconsin, it certainly has been exacerbated by the state’s hostile business climate over the past several years, according to free market advocacy group Americans for Prosperity.

“It’s no surprise to me that we’ve reached a new low, and the scary part is we’re still on the way down,” said AFP Wisconsin State Director Mark Block. “Wisconsin has taxed its residents to the max, restricted business, and stifled creativity.”

• According to the Department of Workforce Development, 25,000 fewer people were employed last month than November and 36,400 fewer than in December. Dozens of Wisconsin companies have filed notices with the Department of Workforce Development saying they are making substantial employment cuts or closing business.

• New building permits, which normally are a leading indicator in home construction, are down 10.7%, a historic new low. This can be largely attributed to the high property tax rate in the state; Wisconsin has seven counties in the top 100 highest taxed counties in the country, according to a recent study conducted by the Tax Foundation.

“Wisconsin officials have been able to stave off the buzzards so far thanks to the resilient efforts of local businesses; we have a fairly diverse economic climate and are less susceptible to these downturns,” said Block. “That speaks volumes to the entrepreneurial spirit here in Wisconsin, but government officials need to stop stifling business and start lowering taxes. If we want to come out on the right side of this downturn, we need to start enacting pro-growth policies that foster the local businesses that have built this economy.”


Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen leaders committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth, and returning government to its constitutional limits. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org

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