The ongoing dispute about the number of jobs in Wisconsin took another turn today with the release of new federal statistics that show Wisconsin lost 21,400 jobs from April 2011 to April 2012, ranking last in the nation for job creation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Democrats quickly seized on the report to back their claim that Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s reforms are not working.
“Now we know why Scott Walker created his magical math that was rolled out so suspiciously this week — because he has been caught red-handed once again making up facts. Sadly for Wisconsin, this is just another example of Scott Walker’s campaign and administration being one of the most dishonest we’ve ever seen. Walker has been a one-man wrecking crew for jobs in Wisconsin and these new figures show it,” said Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Mike Tate.
Earlier this week, Walker released preliminary estimates that he said indicate Wisconsin has gained more than 33,000 jobs since he became governor.
The Friends of Scott Walker campaign communications director Ciara Matthews issued the following statement regarding the release of the preliminary data earlier this week: “Today’s numbers are just another indication that under Governor Walker, Wisconsin is headed in the right direction. While the unemployment rate has been on the steady decline – today dropping to 6.7 percent – since Governor Walker took office, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has presided over a 28 percent increase in unemployment. The policies he has implemented in his city have proven detrimental and Wisconsin cannot afford to let him take the state back to the failed days of record-setting job loss and double-digit tax increases.”
Walker and Barrett will square off in a June 5 recall election.
Barrett will discuss the data at a Milwaukee Press Club Newsmaker Luncheon to be held at the Milwaukee Rotary Club’s next meeting on Tuesday, May 22. The discussion will be moderated by BizTimes executive editor Steve Jagler. The Milwaukee Press Club also is attempting to lock in a date to feature Walker in a Newsmaker Luncheon. For additional information, visit http://www.milwaukeepressclub.org/.
