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Wis. Lawmakers Split Over Success Of Special Session

BY: Dylan Scott | Wisconsin | November 7, 2011

The Wisconsin legislature's special session for job creation concluded with the passage of 14 economically driven bills, the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports.

They included changes for small-business loans and caps on attorney fees, policies celebrated by Gov. Scott Walker and Republican lawmakers. Other bills lowered interest rates on unpaid legal judgments and ease the process of moving manufacturing and agricultural process from one area in the state to another, according to the Press-Gazette. Most passed without contention.

But the session also included socially focused legislation, such as reducing the state's deer herd management program and requiring that abstinence be taught in public schools as part of sex education, which Democrats say detracted from the session's supposed purpose. They also contend that the job-related measures that were taken were not nearly sufficient, the newspaper reports.

"Extreme social issues have been advanced that further polarize and divide Wisconsin," state Rep. Donna Seidel, a Democrat, told the Press-Gazette. "This session has not served the goals or values of the people of Wisconsin."

But Walker and other Republicans said the session was success in communicating the message that Wisconsin is friendly to businesses, according to the newspaper.

"Government does not create jobs," Walker said. "What we are trying to do is create a better business environment so it's easier for the private sector to create jobs."

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Dylan Scott

Dylan Scott is a GOVERNING staff writer.

E-mail: dscott@governing.com
Twitter: @dylanlscott

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