Assembly adopts $6.8 million package to attract millennials

The Assembly approved a $6.8 million advertising campaign to attract young workers to Wisconsin.

The funding expands a Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. advertising campaign from Chicago to other Midwestern cities. Part of the package would fund a nationwide effort to recruit veterans transitioning to the civilian workforce.

Republicans backed the advertising campaign as necessary given the state’s worker shortage with more than 100,000 job openings. Democrats have railed against it as being less effective at recruiting Millennials than having appealing state policies, such as good roads and schools.

The bill passed 67-28 with seven Democrats joining Republicans. The bill now heads to the Senate.

During the Assembly debate, Rep. Daniel Riemer, D-Milwaukee, read comments from former classmates whom he queried about why they moved away from Wisconsin and what it would take for them to come back. Responses included concerns about hostility toward scientific research at the University of Wisconsin, challenges for minorities and better jobs being available in other states.

Continue to full article.