10 Tough Questions About Foxconn Deal
Why legislators are squirming about whether to vote for it.

Foxconn chairman Terry Gou and Governor Scott Walker hold a memorandum of understanding. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.
It’s crunch time for Wisconsin legislators on Gov. Scott Walker’s deal that would give the high-tech giant Foxconn $3 billion in tax breaks, if it builds a $10-billion manufacturing facility in southeast Wisconsin that could employ up to 13,000 in a few years.
With an Assembly vote on the package – the biggest-ever economic development deal between state government and a business – tentatively scheduled for Thursday, here are 10 questions that make legislators squirm.
1: Will my vote help or hurt me in the next election?
If Foxconn breaks ground on the facility by election day in November 2018, a picture of the construction site, and a total of how many employees the company has by then, might make a good TV ad justifying a vote for the deal. But voting “yes” means trusting a deal negotiated by the Walker and Trump administrations with a Taiwan business tycoon.
If you vote no, and Foxconn breaks ground and starts hiring, imagine the TV ads that will run against your before the election: “Foxconn wanted to help return Wisconsin to manufacturing greatness. [Your name here] said, ‘No’.”
2: What financial legacy do I leave my kids and grandkids?
A state Department of Administration forecast –using the most optimistic estimates – predicted that the “break even” year for the deal won’t be until 2042-43. That’s when all tax breaks given Foxconn will finally be outweighed by increased tax revenues resulting from the company’s investments.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said the 2042-43 estimate was “striking,” and one reason the Foxconn package didn’t have enough Senate votes to pass last week.
In short, what happens after 15 years?
“They can do whatever they want after that 15-year period,” argues Democratic Rep. Chris Taylor, a member of the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee.
4: What message does $3-billion plus in tax breaks send to tax-paying corporations?
The bill also includes $12.5 million in tax breaks to Fiserv to encourage it to keep its headquarters in Wisconsin. The $3 billion Foxconn tax break, although paid out over 15 years, totals more than three times the $940 million in corporate income taxes other businesses are expected to pay this year.
5: How long will Foxconn’s plant operate, given the short lifespans of electronic products?
The Foxconn plant in Wisconsin would make liquid crystal displays, but how long will they play a dominant role in high-tech communications? A 28-page summary of the Foxconn deal by the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) raised that issue: “Technological advances and changes in Foxconn’s market share, operating procedures, or product mix could significantly affect employment and wages at the proposed facility over time.”
After all, weren’t state officials once promised that GM vehicles would “always” be built at the Janesville assembly plant? It closed two days before Christmas 2008.
6: Will there be changes to the bill before Legislators vote?
Will the Assembly Jobs and the Economy Committee recommend changes before Thursday’s vote that make the deal more acceptable? Or will those changes be shot down because Walker and Foxconn warn they could kill the deal?
7: Could – and should – Wisconsin’s Investment Board buy into Foxconn, giving it an equity stake?
“If I’m going to give you money, then I want some ownership,” said Democratic Rep. Jason Fields, who said the deal as written offered Wisconsin only “wishes and prayers.”
The state’s public employees rely on growth in the pension fund overseen by the state investment board for their retirements. Is a Foxconn investment a smart decision to help recoup the taxpayers’ investment or too risky a choice for such a fund?
8: What is the impact on the environment?
Besides exempting a new Foxconn plant from an environmental impact study, what other concessions – for filling in wetlands and diverting Lake Michigan water, for example – are part of the deal?
9: What enforcement does the deal have?
Why does the deal’s fine print say state government “may” – and not “must” – clawback or try to recover past tax breaks, if Foxconn cashes those refundable tax-break checks and then leaves Wisconsin?
10: Can any financial estimates projected as far into the future as 2043 be trusted?
Especially when they come from Foxconn and from Walker loyalists at the state Department of Administration?
“Any cash-flow analysis that covers a period of nearly 30 years must be considered highly speculative,” the LFB analysis warned.
It will be a tough vote. “My Facebook page comments say ‘no’,” one Kenosha County lawmaker says. “But the people I meet on the street want it.”
Steven Walters is a senior producer for the nonprofit public affairs channel WisconsinEye. Contact him at stevenscwalters@gmail.com
More about the Foxconn Facility
- The Contrarian Professor - Scott Gordon - Apr 26th, 2018
- Statement on DNR approval of Racine water diversion - Clean Wisconsin - Apr 25th, 2018
- DNR approves straddling community diversion application from city of Racine - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Apr 25th, 2018
- Bryce Issues Statement on Walker’s Approval of Foxconn’s Air Pollution - Randy Bryce - Apr 24th, 2018
- Legality of Foxconn’s Water Use At Issue - Scott Gordon - Apr 22nd, 2018
- Murphy’s Law: The Full File on Foxconn - Bruce Murphy - Apr 17th, 2018
- Racine Diversion Request Raises Serious Questions; Compact Coalition Urges Regional Review - Compact Implementation Coalition - Apr 16th, 2018
- Foxconn to hold information session for Milwaukee contractors - Ald. Khalif Rainey - Apr 13th, 2018
- Eyes on Milwaukee: Will Foxconn Employ Any Milwaukeeans? - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 12th, 2018
- Ryan departure leaves Foxconn future in question - State Sen. Jennifer Shilling - Apr 12th, 2018
- Release of Council report to ramp up scrutiny of Foxconn development - Ald. Bob Bauman - Apr 11th, 2018
- Op Ed: Billions for Foxconn, Failure for Rural Wisconsin - State Sen. Jon Erpenbach - Apr 9th, 2018
- Where The Great Lakes Compact Ends and Wisconsin Law Begins - Scott Gordon - Apr 5th, 2018
- Murphy’s Law: How Foxconn Will Pollute Wisconsin - Bruce Murphy - Apr 3rd, 2018
- Eyes on Milwaukee: Commuter Rail to Foxconn Proposed - Jeramey Jannene - Mar 28th, 2018
- Op Ed: Journal Sentinel Promotes Phony Foxconn “Report” - Michael Rosen and Charlie Dee - Mar 28th, 2018
- Transit options for Foxconn plant on agenda for Public Transportation Review Board - Ald. Bob Bauman - Mar 27th, 2018
- Op Ed: Why Did MMAC Do Foxconn Study? - James Rowen - Mar 24th, 2018
- Foxconn Package Returns $18 in Economic Impact for Every $1 in State Incentive - Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce - Mar 23rd, 2018
- Petitioners Oppose Foxconn’s Great Lakes Raid - Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters - Mar 22nd, 2018
- Governor Walker Announces Process for Wisconsin Companies to Bid on Work Related to Foxconn Construction - Gov. Scott Walker - Mar 21st, 2018
- Rep. Dana Wachs Says Foxconn Contracts Already Going Out of State - State Rep. Dana Wachs - Mar 20th, 2018
- Matt Flynn Exposes the False Numbers of the Foxconn Fiasco, Vows to Terminate the Contract - Matt Flynn - Mar 15th, 2018
- Op Ed: Foxconn Water Request Violates Law - James Rowen - Mar 12th, 2018
- Work on WIS 20 set to begin March 15t - Wisconsin Department of Transportation - Mar 9th, 2018
- Bus Line to Foxconn Could Transport Workers - Graham Kilmer - Mar 7th, 2018
- Foxconn Water Raid Gets First Hearing - Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters - Mar 7th, 2018
- Murphy’s Law: Foxconn Deal Gets Even Worse - Bruce Murphy - Mar 6th, 2018
- New Marquette Law School Poll finds Wisconsin voters divided on benefits of Foxconn deal, but together in support of background checks for gun sales - Marquette University - Mar 5th, 2018
- City Hall: City Will Contest Foxconn Power Deal - Jeramey Jannene - Feb 27th, 2018
- Foxconn Seeks to Raid the Great Lakes - Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters - Feb 22nd, 2018
- Governor Walker Announces International Mold and Production Relocating Operations from Illinois to Wisconsin - Gov. Scott Walker - Feb 16th, 2018
- Dana Wachs Critiques Gov. Walker’s Photo Op with President Trump, Calls for Real Transportation Solutions - State Rep. Dana Wachs - Feb 12th, 2018
- Eyes on Milwaukee: Plan Provides Amtrak Service for Foxconn - Jeramey Jannene - Feb 8th, 2018
- Expanded Amtrak service for Foxconn plant on agenda for Public Transportation Review Board - Ald. Bob Bauman - Feb 7th, 2018
- Foxconn to replace 10,000 workers in Taiwan with robots - State Rep. David Bowen - Feb 7th, 2018
- Eyes on Milwaukee: Foxconn HQ In Downtown Milwaukee - Jeramey Jannene - Feb 6th, 2018
- Wisconsin’s Foxconn Bonus: Foxconn Purchases Building in Downtown Milwaukee from Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance - Gov. Scott Walker - Feb 6th, 2018
- The Contrarian: Foxconn Not Helping Walker? - George Mitchell - Feb 2nd, 2018
- Op Ed: Hire Local Unemployed at Foxconn - Michael Rosen - Feb 2nd, 2018
- Wisconsin Budget: $1.6 Billion of Foxconn Payout Won’t Create Jobs - Tamarine Cornelius - Jan 31st, 2018
- Foxconn’s investment in Wisconsin named ‘Deal of the Year’ by Business Facilities Magazine - Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation - Jan 25th, 2018
- Resolution seeks to spare Milwaukee We Energies ratepayers from huge Foxconn bill - Ald. Bob Bauman - Jan 17th, 2018
- Governor Walker Announces Wisconsin Career Creator Plan to Support Long-Term Workforce Development Needs - Gov. Scott Walker - Jan 17th, 2018
- Wisconsin State Director of Strategic Economic Initiatives, Matthew Moroney to speak on the FOXCONN Development at AGC Corporate Dinner - Associated General Contractors of Greater Milwaukee - Jan 16th, 2018
- WisDOT soliciting bids for WIS 20 road work in Racine County - Wisconsin Department of Transportation - Jan 10th, 2018
- Op Ed: Foxconn’s Low Return on State Investment - John Torinus - Jan 8th, 2018
- Matt Flynn Attacks Green Light Given to Foxconn to Pollute Wetlands - Matt Flynn - Jan 4th, 2018
- Eyes on Milwaukee: City May Contest Foxconn Electricity Deal - Jeramey Jannene - Jan 4th, 2018
- Public Works Committee to discuss rate hike to fund work at Racine’s Foxconn facility - Ald. Bob Bauman - Jan 2nd, 2018
- Eyes on Milwaukee: Will Milwaukeeans Pay for Foxconn Power? - Jeramey Jannene - Dec 27th, 2017
- Eyes on Milwaukee: Should City Buy 500 Acres in Racine County? - Jeramey Jannene - Dec 23rd, 2017
- Murphy’s Law: Foxconn Subsidy Now Exceeds $4 Billion - Bruce Murphy - Dec 21st, 2017
- Gov. Walker’s Foxconn Scam Already Starting to Unravel as News Breaks of Additional $134 Million Cost to Taxpayers - State Rep. Dana Wachs - Dec 16th, 2017
- Eyes on Milwaukee: Could Milwaukee Build A Foxconn City? - Jeramey Jannene - Dec 13th, 2017
- State Senator Janis Ringhand statement on Foxconn earnings report - State Sen. Janis Ringhand - Nov 15th, 2017
- Foxconn Signing Is a Love Fest - Graham Kilmer - Nov 13th, 2017
- Andy Gronik Statement on Gov. Scott Walker’s Re-Election Foxconn Hail Mary - Andy Gronik - Nov 10th, 2017
- Governor Walker, Foxconn Chairman Gou Sign Historic Agreement to Bring $10 Billion World-Class Advanced Manufacturing Campus, 13,000 Jobs to Wisconsin - Gov. Scott Walker - Nov 10th, 2017
- One Wisconsin Now Statements on Gov. Walker Signing Contract to Implement Largest State Giveaway to A Foreign Corporation in U.S. History - One Wisconsin Now - Nov 10th, 2017
- Gov. Walker’s re-election Hail Mary falls short - State Sen. Jennifer Shilling - Nov 10th, 2017
- The Art of a Desperate Deal - Democratic Party of Wisconsin - Nov 10th, 2017
- Walker Accepts $3 Billion Liability, Rejects Accountability - State Sen. Lena Taylor - Nov 10th, 2017
- Murphy’s Law: Walker Retreats From Foxconn Deal - Bruce Murphy - Nov 9th, 2017
- Top Ten Reasons Wisconsin Got Conned - State Sen. Tim Carpenter - Nov 8th, 2017
- Matt Flynn Statement on the Foxconn Contract - Matt Flynn - Nov 8th, 2017
- Back in the News: WEDC Shifts on Foxconn Contract - Bruce Murphy - Nov 8th, 2017
- Democrats Continue to Lead the Fight to Protect Taxpayers on Foxconn - State Rep. Dianne Hesselbein - Nov 7th, 2017
- Rep. Sargent’s Statement on Second Request for Public Review of Foxconn Contract, WEDC Board’s Two-Day Review - State Rep. Melissa Sargent - Nov 7th, 2017
- WEDC — Seeing Contract Today, A Good First Step, Taxpayer Protection Still Top Priority - State Sen. Tim Carpenter - Nov 6th, 2017
- WisDOT applies for federal Infrastructure For Rebuilding America Grant - Wisconsin Department of Transportation - Oct 31st, 2017
- Gov. Scott Walker’s Foxconn Deal Widely Unpopular Amongst Wisconsinites - Andy Gronik - Oct 26th, 2017
- Murphy’s Law: The Secrets of Foxconn - Bruce Murphy - Oct 26th, 2017
- Matt Flynn Makes Statement on the Corrupt Handling of the Foxconn Contract by Walker’s WEDC - Matt Flynn - Oct 25th, 2017
- Walker jobs agency leaves taxpayers in the dark - State Sen. Jennifer Shilling - Oct 25th, 2017
- Op Ed: Can WEDC Oversee Foxconn Deal? - State Sen. Kathleen Vinehout - Oct 25th, 2017
- The WEDC: As Transparent as Trump with his Tax Return - State Rep. Jimmy Anderson - Oct 24th, 2017
- WEDC Audit Poses New Concerns on Foxconn Deal - State Sen. Lena Taylor - Oct 24th, 2017
- Audit of Walker jobs agency intensifies Foxconn concerns - State Sen. Jennifer Shilling - Oct 24th, 2017
- New poll shows Milwaukee area’s divided feelings on Foxconn, views on other topics as Marquette Law School launches expanded public policy program - Marquette University - Oct 24th, 2017
- Walker Administration Keeps Details of Foxconn Deal Secret as Agency Entrusted With Overseeing Deal Subject of Another Critical Review - One Wisconsin Now - Oct 24th, 2017
- Andy Gronik Urges WEDC To Release Foxconn Contract Details Before Vote, Collect Public Feedback - Andy Gronik - Oct 23rd, 2017
- Wisconsin Can’t Afford Another Foxconn “Nuclear Bomb” - Democratic Party of Wisconsin - Oct 20th, 2017
- What are Walker and Foxconn hiding? - Democratic Party of Wisconsin - Oct 17th, 2017
- Foxconn gamble shrouded in secrecy - State Sen. Jennifer Shilling - Oct 16th, 2017
- Court Watch: Foxconn Law Transforms State Courts - Margo Kirchner - Oct 12th, 2017
- Walker and Forty-Fifth President Sweeten Deal for Foxconn - State Sen. Lena Taylor - Sep 28th, 2017
- Walker picks Foxconn over Wisconsin schools and roads - State Sen. Jennifer Shilling - Sep 18th, 2017
- Governor Walker Signs Wisconn Valley Special Session Bill into Law - Gov. Scott Walker - Sep 18th, 2017
- The State of Politics: Mr. Gou – Your Turn - Steven Walters - Sep 18th, 2017
- Governor Walker Applauds Legislature for Approving Wisconn Valley Special Session Bill - Gov. Scott Walker - Sep 14th, 2017
- Governor Walker Releases Statement on Bipartisan Senate Passage of Wisconn Valley Special Session Legislation - Gov. Scott Walker - Sep 12th, 2017
- WEDC’s Poor Jobs Accountability Record Makes Foxconn Deal a Scandal Waiting to Happen - Citizen Action of Wisconsin - Sep 11th, 2017
- Op Ed: Foxconn Deal Suspends Judicial Rules - Wisconsin Democracy Campaign - Sep 11th, 2017
- GOP Puts $3 Billion Foxconn Thumb on Scales of Justice - One Wisconsin Now - Sep 5th, 2017
- Op Ed: Foxconn Multiplier Overstates New Jobs - William L. Holahan and Charles O. Kroncke - Sep 2nd, 2017
- Walker administration misleads on environmental rollbacks for Foxconn - State Rep. Katrina Shankland - Aug 31st, 2017
- Murphy’s Law: Newest Deal Shows Foxconn Flaws - Bruce Murphy - Aug 29th, 2017
- The State of Politics: Would Democratic Governor Kill Foxconn Deal? - Steven Walters - Aug 28th, 2017
- Op Ed: Illinois Loves Our Foxconn Deal - State Sen. Kathleen Vinehout - Aug 26th, 2017
- Biking: Foxconn, Biking and State Roads - Dave Cieslewicz - Aug 25th, 2017
- Op Ed: Foxconn Should Embrace Green Goals - John Torinus - Aug 24th, 2017
- Washington State Representative Offers Warning for Wisconsin on Foxconn - One Wisconsin Now - Aug 24th, 2017
- Murphy’s Law: Paper Peddles Bogus Foxconn Report - Bruce Murphy - Aug 23rd, 2017
- Representative Lisa Subeck Calls on Joint Finance Committee Co-Chairs to Focus on Budget, Prioritize People over Profits - State Rep. Lisa Subeck - Aug 22nd, 2017
- Governor Walker Highlights Opportunities Foxconn Brings for Wisconsin’s Healthcare Industry - Gov. Scott Walker - Aug 22nd, 2017
- The State of Politics: Foxconn Biggest Deal in State History - Steven Walters - Aug 21st, 2017
- Statewide Online Tool Assists Wisconsin Companies Seeking to Do Business with Foxconn - Gov. Scott Walker - Aug 21st, 2017
- The Senate Must be The Grownups in the Room… Again. - State Sen. Tim Carpenter - Aug 21st, 2017
- Op Ed: The Many Broken Promises of Foxconn - State Rep. David Bowen - Aug 20th, 2017
- Rep. Goyke Statement on Foxconn Special Session Bill - State Rep. Evan Goyke - Aug 18th, 2017
- Wisconsin Budget: Foxconn Could Take Till 2058 To Pay Off - Jon Peacock - Aug 18th, 2017
- Governor Walker Releases Statement on Bipartisan Assembly Passage of Wisconn Valley Special Session Legislation - Gov. Scott Walker - Aug 18th, 2017
- Republican Agenda Puts Corporate Welfare Package for Taiwanese Company Ahead of our Public Schools - State Rep. Dianne Hesselbein - Aug 17th, 2017
- Rep. Sinicki Votes No on Foxconn Package - State Rep. Christine Sinicki - Aug 17th, 2017
- Statement from Rep. Barca on the Assembly Passage of Foxconn Bill - State Rep. Peter Barca - Aug 17th, 2017
- Facts on Foxconn Trump Proponents’ Protestations Deal Would Benefit Wisconsin - One Wisconsin Now - Aug 17th, 2017
- Foxconn Debate Cheat Sheet - State Rep. Gordon Hintz - Aug 17th, 2017
- $3 Billion Foxconn Boondoggle Sells Out Wisconsin’s Future to Foreign Corporation - State Rep. Lisa Subeck - Aug 17th, 2017
- Op Ed: How to Get a Better Deal From Foxconn - John Torinus - Aug 17th, 2017
- Data Wonk: Will Foxconn Deal Fight Poverty? - Bruce Thompson - Aug 16th, 2017
- Governor Walker Moderates Foxconn Roundtable Discussion in Green Bay - Gov. Scott Walker - Aug 16th, 2017
- Op Ed: Where Will Foxconn Find Workers? - State Rep. Gordon Hintz - Aug 16th, 2017
- Vukmir: The time is now for Foxconn - Assistant Majority Leader Leah Vukmir - Aug 15th, 2017
- Foxconn tax break could exceed $1 million per job - State Sen. Jennifer Shilling - Aug 14th, 2017
- Paul Ryan Challenger Opposes $3 Billion Corporate Handout to Foxconn - Cathy Myers - Aug 14th, 2017
- The State of Politics: 10 Tough Questions About Foxconn Deal - Steven Walters - Aug 14th, 2017
- Dana Wachs Announces Opposition to Foxconn Package - State Rep. Dana Wachs - Aug 13th, 2017
- Campaign Cash: Did Foxconn Lobby Illegally? - Wisconsin Democracy Campaign - Aug 12th, 2017
- Statement from Rep. Barca Regarding Republican Amendment to Foxconn Bill - State Rep. Peter Barca - Aug 11th, 2017
- Statement: Amendment to Special Session Assembly Bill 1 - Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos - Aug 11th, 2017
- Op Ed: Renegotiate the Foxconn Deal - Matt Flynn - Aug 11th, 2017
- Murphy’s Law: Walker’s Desperate Deal With Foxconn - Bruce Murphy - Aug 10th, 2017
- Foxconn Deal Flounders in State Legislature - One Wisconsin Now - Aug 10th, 2017
- If ‘Ifs’ and ‘Buts’ Are Candies and Nuts We’ll Have Foxconn Deal Paid Off in 2043 - One Wisconsin Now - Aug 9th, 2017
- Rep. Shankland: Statement on Foxconn Analysis - State Rep. Katrina Shankland - Aug 8th, 2017
- Foxconn Fiscal Analysis Deeply Troubling for Wisconsin Taxpayers - State Rep. David Crowley - Aug 8th, 2017
- Statement from Rep. Barca on New Fiscal Analysis of Proposed Foxconn Deal - State Rep. Peter Barca - Aug 8th, 2017
- Rep. Hintz Statement on Foxconn Cost to Taxpayers - State Rep. Gordon Hintz - Aug 8th, 2017
- Campaign Cash: Bill Has $10 Million Giveaway to Fiserv - Wisconsin Democracy Campaign - Aug 8th, 2017
- Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce Calls For Foxconn Project to Include Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses - Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce - Aug 7th, 2017
- Wisconsin Budget: The High Cost of Foxconn - Jon Peacock - Aug 4th, 2017
- What Does the Foxconn CEO Say About His Employees? - One Wisconsin Now - Aug 4th, 2017
- Foxconn Hearing: Big Promises, Little Details, Lacks Transportation Plan - State Rep. David Crowley - Aug 3rd, 2017
- One Wisconsin Now Testimony on Foxconn Subsidy Legislation - One Wisconsin Now - Aug 3rd, 2017
- No Guarantees to Prevent Wisconsin Tax Dollars From Subsidizing Illinois Jobs in Foxconn Deal - One Wisconsin Now - Aug 2nd, 2017
- Unnecessary to Sacrifice Natural Resources for Foxconn - Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters - Jul 31st, 2017
- Statement from Rep. Barca on Foxconn Developments - State Rep. Peter Barca - Jul 28th, 2017
- The Contrarian: Walker’s Reelection Now A Certainty - George Mitchell - Jul 28th, 2017
- Eyes on Milwaukee: Foxconn Loves Wisconsin, Walker - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 27th, 2017
- Governor Walker, Foxconn Founder and CEO Terry Gou Sign Memorandum of Understanding in Milwaukee - Gov. Scott Walker - Jul 27th, 2017
- REALTORS® Welcome Foxconn - Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS® - Jul 27th, 2017
- MATC Statement on Foxconn - Milwaukee Area Technical College - Jul 26th, 2017
- Statement from Rep. Barca on Foxconn Economic Development Announcement - State Rep. Peter Barca - Jul 26th, 2017
- Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele Statement on Foxconn Announcement - County Executive Chris Abele - Jul 26th, 2017
- Global High-Tech Manufacturer Foxconn Announces $10 Billion Investment, Will Create 13,000 Jobs in New Wisconsin Campus - Gov. Scott Walker - Jul 26th, 2017
- Foxconn Frenzy: Proceed with Caution - State Sen. Chris Larson - Jul 26th, 2017
- Shilling cautious on Foxconn announcement - State Sen. Jennifer Shilling - Jul 26th, 2017
- Op Ed: Loss of Talgo Train Hurts Foxconn Deal - James Rowen - Jul 20th, 2017
- Mayor Barrett Supports Siting Foxconn Facility in Southeastern Wisconsin - Mayor Tom Barrett - Jul 17th, 2017
- On the Air: How Likely Is It Foxconn Will Create 10,000 Jobs? - Urban Milwaukee - Jul 13th, 2017
- Murphy’s Law: Walker Building Yesterday’s Economy - Bruce Murphy - Jul 13th, 2017
- Eyes on Milwaukee: Foxconn Lands in Milwaukee - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 10th, 2017
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This deal is very much like the county’s(Racine/Waukesha/Milw) decision to build Miller Park. Where did all this development come south of the Park. I am sure the left will state that it would have appeared with out the building of Miller park, but they argue the Trolley Loop downtown will create the same effect. It is not just about FoxConn and the 13,000 jobs . It is about what economic spheres that will be created by the shear size of FoxConn. Liberals want tech jobs in Wisconsin maybe Foxconn can help create that environment.
To date the Walker administration has a poor record of economic development and job creation. We have mortgaged the economic and environmental future of our children and grandchildren with drastic corporate tax cuts, neglect of infrastructure, and corporate giveaways. Our state budget is a mess due to unrealistic revenue projections. The same as he did in Milwaukee County, the governor is using tricks to balance a budget. This 3B deal will pass because the governor wants it. I can only hope and pray it will be part of a positive legacy for the Governor.
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-And the Miller Park sales tax still goes on. What was the original promised end date of that scheme?
-The conservatives now give up the right to criticize anyone for ” government picking winners & losers”.
Jason, since the streetcar route was finalized, downtown has seen a spate of development, disproportionately within a block or two of the eventual tracks.
BTW, the phrase “trolley loop” is inaccurate because there is neither a “trolley” nor a “loop”.
A “trolley” was the diagonal black pole on an old streetcar’s roof which connected to the overhead wire. Trolleys were unreliable (when they slipped off the wire, the streetcar stalled). Another problem with trolleys was that they worked in one direction only; each streetcar needed two trolley poles, one in use and one tucked away. When an old streetcar changed directions at the end of the line, it either had to drive around the block to turn around (like a bus) or the driver had to go outside and manually swap trolley poles. Either alternative wasted time and increased operating expenses.
Milwaukee’s streetcar has no trolley. It will have a “pantograph” instead a different device that cannot slip off the wire and works equally well in both directions.
Milwaukee’s first streetcar route will have no loop; the streetcar will just go back and forth without ever turning around (one reason it will be faster than a bus on the same route, since buses must waste time turning around). Streetcars can do this because they are double-ended—each end has its own headlights, taillights, windshield wipers and driver’s seat. Streetcars never go in reverse; they go forward in both directions.
Take a look at the over $17 billion of development that has taken place in the Twin Cities along the 2 streetcar lines and RBT lines. The projections were for $20 billion by 2020. That figure will be easily met long before 2020. Investment in infrastructure in a huge boost to economic development.