2017 In Review
2017 has been another
outstanding year for Wisconsin, and I’m excited to share with you some of our
state’s many successes.
We’re investing more
actual dollars into K-12 education than ever before in state history, driving
student success and ensuring students all across Wisconsin have access to a
great education. We’re also making major investments in our technical colleges
and in the University of Wisconsin system, including more needs-based financial
aid than ever before to help make college more affordable for students and
working families.
Economically, Wisconsin
is open for business and stronger than ever. This year alone, 59 businesses
worked with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to expand or
relocate their operations to our state. That translates to over $11.6 billion
in capital investment and a planned creation or retention of nearly 30,000 jobs.
This year, we eliminated
the state portion of the property tax. Now and going forward, 100% of property
taxpayers will see a 100% reduction in your state property tax bill. As a
percentage of personal income, Wisconsin’s property tax burden is now at its lowest
level since the end of World War II.
As if that wasn’t enough
tax savings, the typical Wisconsin family of four will save $2,508 in income
taxes thanks to the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, according to an analysis
from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.
I can keep listing
Wisconsin’s great statistics all day, but what really makes me happy is
traveling the state and hearing how proud people are of their families, their
communities, their schools, their employers, their places of worship, and their
organizations. That’s what truly makes Wisconsin a great place to live, work,
and grow.
Let’s work together to
make 2018 even better, and keep Wisconsin moving forward.
Unemployment Rate at Near Historic Low
Last week, the U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics released its November jobs report, and Wisconsin has
cause for celebration.
Wisconsin created 42,900
private-sector jobs from November 2016 to November 2017, with a significant
year-over-year gain of 16,900 manufacturing jobs. That’s the largest growth in
manufacturing jobs in all the Midwest.
On top of that, our
unemployment rate dropped to 3.2% in November. Prior
to 2017, that is the lowest unemployment rate since February 2000. Wisconsin also tied for 1st in the Midwest, and tied
8th nationally for year over year drop in the unemployment rate.
Our labor force participation
rate, or the rate of working-age citizens in the labor force, stands tall at
68.9%, far above the national average of 62.7%.
Wisconsin’s workforce is
standing on solid ground, and the future looks bright. Going forward, we’re
dedicated to developing and enhancing the highly-skilled workforce Wisconsin is
known for.
We are working and
winning for Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Honored to Host F-35
Fighter Jet Squadron
Soon, the sound of
freedom will ring out in the skies over Madison.
Last week, the Wisconsin
Air National Guard’s 115th Fighter Wing at Truax Field in Madison
was selected as one of two preferred candidate bases to receive the U.S. Air
Force’s F-35A Lightning II.
We’re proud of the
dedication and professionalism of our 115th Fighter Wing and our Air
National Guard as a whole, and excited for their future as a vital element of
the Air Force’s combat reserve. It’s a tremendous honor to host the Air Force’s
newest and most technologically advanced fighter aircraft and serve as its new
home base for future missions.
We enjoy sharing all the great news about our state with you. It is an honor to serve as your Governor and represent the people of Wisconsin.
Sincerely,
Governor Scott Walker
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