Republicans Call for Imposing ALEC Zones on Poorest Neighborhoods of Milwaukee

[hue]

http://www.prwatch.org/news/2015/01/12720/ALEC-Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Two suburban Wisconsin lawmakers have unveiled an economic development plan for the lowest-income neighborhoods of Milwaukee, and their "solutions" for the Wisconsin communities hit hardest by deindustrialization come directly from a national right-wing playbook.

Rep. Dale Kooyenga (R-Brookfield) and Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) represent two of the wealthiest districts in Wisconsin and have no background in economic development, yet have proposed at 23-page plan targeting the majority-minority communities with the highest unemployment rates in the state -- and have done so without consulting any of the elected officials who actually represent the area.

"I don't understand how two suburban legislators can tell Milwaukee what they need without talking to Milwaukee legislators," said Sen. Nikiya Harris Dodd, a Democrat who represents Milwaukee. "It's really hurtful."

The plan promotes anti-union "right to work" zones, zero-corporate tax zones, and measures to turn public schools into for-profit charters, ideas promoted by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).

The proposals come against the backdrop of four years of failed economic policies. The harsh prescription of tax breaks for the rich and cuts in services for the poor that Governor Walker promised would revitalize Wisconsin's economy and balance the budget have failed to do either. Wisconsin remains 32nd in the nation in new job growth and the state faces a $2.2 billion dollar deficit. In January 2014, Rep. Kooyenga promised the Wisconsin State Journal that Wisconsin's structural deficit would be gone by 2015
****************************************

X-posted in Politics

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

1. But, but , but both parties are the same, I thought...

and Koch bros are going to contribute money to elect Hillary, I think I heard that here yesterday...

head slapping in disgust emoticon here...

[Scuba]

2. Why don't they just call them what they want them to be ....

"Unregulated Slavery Zones."

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

3. Oh no - Shock Doctrine comes to Wisconsin

"Really hurtful?"

Hope the Milwaukee reps get over their hurt feelings fast and read up on emergency manager legislation as was put in place in Michigan and elsewhere -basically usurping local democratically elected representation and installing emergency mgr (aka emergency dictator) to implement the rad right policies.

Since these folks basically operate on using same boilerplate legislation.... its entirely reasonable to expect that that's what's in store for us in Wis.