It’s working, Wisconsin!

May 3, 2012
by Lance Burri
Troglopundit

First, new state business rankings:

The Badger State keeps rising in the Chief Executive Best States/Worst States list, and that’s got Wisconsin businesses cheering—as well as investing. Nevertheless, CEOs and entrepreneurs there are worried that an election recall this summer of their champion, Governor Scott Walker, could upend the great improvements made in the state’s business climate in just two years.

We’re on the way up, but, oh crap! The recall might turn us back around again!

Wisconsin leapt to 20th place in our Best States/Worst States list this year from 24th last year, one of only eight states that enjoyed a rise of at least four spots. That followed a phenomenal 17-place leap in last year’s list, where it occupied the doldrums of 41st place. Wisconsin also fared well by other gauges last year, especially in how it treated entrepreneurs. The state ranked 4th last year in tax costs on new firms, as calculated by the Tax Foundation, and a Kauffman Center Index of Entrepreneurial Activity showed Wisconsin with the 7th largest rise last year among the handful of states that did better at all.

Hat tip Charlie Sykes for that one. Next, a little something about jobs from Dr. Tim Nerenz:

According to BLS – not me – the number of persons employed in Wisconsin in March of 2011 was 2,838,145. And according the BLS – not me – the number of persons employed in Wisconsin in March of 2012 was 2,856,643. My calculator says that is an INCREASE of 18,498.

My Excel spreadsheet says that is an INCREASE of 18,498. Arithmetic by hand says that is an INCREASE of 18,498. Slide rule, abacus, ponies stomping – anyway you count ‘em up, that is 18,498 more people are working now than a year ago, not less.

Hat tip Fred Dooley.

Wrap this all up for us, Governor Christie:



“All the eyes of America for the next five weeks are going to be on the state of Wisconsin.”

“…the common sense solutions that are being put forward by two guys who care more about making the lives of all of our friends and neighbors better than they care about preserving their own political careers.”

“I cannot wait to be sitting in my living room on Tuesday, June 5, and watch Wisconsin make America proud again.”

Hat Tip: Ann Althouse