Biden talks green energy; WMC worries about Wisconsin economy

(The Center Square) – The presidential election, and the presidential visits, are giving voters in Wisconsin two different visions of the economy.

President Joe Biden was in Westby, near La Crosse on Thursday to talk about green energy and federal infrastructure spending.

“Just like we’re making the most significant investment in rural electrification since FDR, we’re also making the most significant investment ever in affordable, high-speed internet because affordable high-speed internet is just as essential today as electricity was a century ago,” Biden said.

The president promised that Wisconsin would see some of the $7 billion in federal grants to boost clean energy.

While Biden was campaigning in western Wisconsin, Nick Novak with Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce was speaking with reporters on a call about former President Donald Trump’s economic plan.

“No one knows more than what is happening about this economy than business leaders in Wisconsin,” Novak said. “And when we asked our members about the economy, they told us loud and clear: It is weak and getting worse. According to a survey that we conducted, only 23% of business leaders rate the Wisconsin economy as strong. Which is roughly a third of the number just three years ago.”

Novak said businesses in Wisconsin have an even worse view of the national economy.

“Six-in-10 employers say they expect the Wisconsin economy to remain flat to decline over the next six months, and a full two-thirds expect the US economy to do the same,” Novak explained.

Novak added the pessimism is being driven by higher costs.

“Our members, who are the job creators all across Wisconsin, explained to us that prices have significantly increased over the past several years,” Novak said. “Since President Biden and Vice President Harris, 57% of Wisconsin employers have seen costs go up by over 20%. Worse yet, 1-in-5 employers have seen prices go up by more than 30%.”