U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Gov. Walker joins U.S. Chamber’s Jobs Summit to discuss how states foster economic growth
6/14/2012
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker joined a bipartisan group of governors, local policy makers and business leaders today at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s 2012 Jobs Summit to discuss policies that produce economic growth and examine how states across the country are increasing competitiveness. A new study was unveiled at the summit, which finds that states that boost exports, foster innovation, provide businesses with certainty and reasonable taxes, insist on excellence in education, and prioritize infrastructure are leading on job creation and economic growth. The study, Enterprising States, was commissioned by the National Chamber Foundation and prepared by The Praxis Strategy Group.
“The federal government has something to learn from these enterprising states,” said U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue. “If you want jobs and growth, you need to create an environment where private-sector businesses, entrepreneurs, and capital are welcome and can grow and thrive.” The Enterprising States study found that Wisconsin and Governor Walker have launched several notable initiatives over the past year focused on job creation, with a goal of creating 250,000 new jobs by 2015. The administration’s “Wisconsin Working” plan, designed after gathering input from workforce and business stakeholders, is leading efforts to bring the state’s colleges, government departments, and business together to reform and expand workforce training in the state. The new “Wisconsin Wins” program will help individuals receiving unemployment take advantage of on-the-job workforce training, helping connect companies to workers looking to build new job skills. Wisconsin has also implemented a series of regulatory reforms, including a requirement for cost-benefit analyses of proposed rules to ensure that potential negative effects will be minimized.
"It was wonderful to get a chance to talk about how we are transforming Wisconsin from the job loss in the past to the job growth we see today,” said Governor Walker. “I was honored to be on a bi-partisan panel of governors talking about ways to further improve the economy in our states and our country." Other governors participating in the Jobs Summit included Dave Heineman from Nebraska, Gary Herbert from Utah, and Jack Markell from Delaware.
“The governors we heard from today are on the front lines of our nation’s economic challenges, and they are producing the kinds of innovative policies that will drive growth and improve the future of their states,” said Margaret Spellings, president of the Chamber’s U.S. Forum for Policy Innovation. “Our Enterprising States study highlights specific policies and programs that states can undertake to foster growth—all driven by sound free enterprise principles.”
The Enterprising States study highlights specific strategies that all 50 states are employing to remain competitive and restore jobs. It also outlines the top ten future “boom states,” which are best positioned to grow, create jobs, and prosper in the coming years.
The National Chamber Foundation (NCF), a non-profit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is dedicated to identifying and fostering public debate on emerging critical issues. They provide business and government leaders with insight and resources to address tomorrow's challenges.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.
