Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce: What Will It Take?

The new WMC program is dubbed  "Moving Wisconsin Forward" and then the organization asks,  What Will It Take? 

In their own words:

The objective of the “Moving Wisconsin Forward” plan is to cooperate with all stakeholders to build a shared vision for economic growth and job creation in Wisconsin, and develop a broad coalition of business groups that will work together to pursue implementation of policies that will make that vision a reality.

It is followed by an expansive commitment to "reach out to stakeholders," "Build a broad coalition..," and help the public and policy makers understand..."

There is a pledge to outsider input:

• from local chambers of commerce
• listening sessions...to get general business input
• business trade and professional groups (not labor trades)
• political leaders
• and finally:

We will interview leaders from the technical colleges, the economic development community, public policy organizations, organized labor, agriculture, and the media to get their input as to key business climate issues facing Wisconsin.

 

When WMC completes this process and determines the top ten issues, "All participating business groups will be invited to engage in a consensus building process aimed at reaching agreement on a final 10-point policy agenda. The goal is to have as many chambers and business associations as possible sign on to become part of an active coalition working to enact the business agenda."

The problem is this is a top down tightly controlled system. Academic and labor leaders are not partners, they are to be heard, but are only incidental. The key is in the incomplete quote I provided in the third paragraph. Here is the statement in its entirety:

           Build a broad coalition among business to support a common policy...  

There it is, a broad coalition among business.

WMC is hastily responding to the bad publicity of the past year. Form, however, will trump substance as the organization fearfully begins a public discussion that it tightly controls and manages.

Real policy will be developed by those who engage in a fair and open discussion.

Stay tuned.

Comments

[Earl Warren]

Paul seems to forget the campaign is over and that his side won. Seems to me as an unbiased reader that WMC is putting the state's interest first and is making a genuine and real effort to do the right thing. It's too bad the ex mayor of Madison would rather continue the political campaign rather than find common ground on key issues, etc. Change in the last election applied to everyone, and that includes Paul. Let's hope his views and tone reflect the common good rather than continuing a controversy so he has something to write about.

[Jon]

Given the old-boy nature of WMC, when they mention a "broad coalition," don't you think they mean a group of women?