http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/walker-open-for-business-s5.jpgSix years after Gov. Scott Walker claimed "Wisconsin is Open for Business", GOP economic policies have been a failure and the state lags behind the nation and region.

MADISON - New statistics released Thursday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that Wisconsin is still lagging behind the national average in private sector job growth, struggling to gain jobs as other states thrive.

In the 12-months from March 2015 to March 2016, Wisconsin ranked 33rd in private-sector job creation. Unfortunately for Wisconsinites, poor jobs news has become an all too common ritual after six years of failed Republican economic policy aimed at helping those at the very top.

The news comes on the heels of another report published this week by the Center On Wisconsin Strategy (COWS), showing Wisconsin has missed out on creating 87,000 jobs due to the failed leadership and agenda of Gov. Walker and his Republican colleagues. As a result, far fewer resources are being reinvested into our local businesses, stifling business growth and inhibiting the ability of business owners to expand and hire more workers.

These two reports come just weeks after the Kauffman Foundation's yearly entrepreneurial report found Wisconsin is dead last in entrepreneurial activity for the second year in a row.

“Instead of working to create an economy that works for everyone, Republican leaders have prioritized the millionaires and billionaires at the top. Now, we are seeing the consequences of these failed policy choices," Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Martha Laning said on Thursday. "Instead of giving huge tax breaks for those at the very top, we should be focusing on creating good local jobs and helping the everyday Wisconsinites who are struggling just to get by. Our leaders need to be focused on helping Wisconsinites get back to work and making sure that both businesses and workers can thrive."

Again and again, the GOP leadership in this state have prioritized sweetheart deals for special interests who fill their campaign coffers and corporations that ship jobs out of Wisconsin. Democrats have a different plan, focusing instead on supporting the small businesses that create jobs, investing in transportation infrastructure and access to broadband internet, and encouraging entrepreneurship through education and innovation.

“After six years of stagnation, it’s clear that Scott Walker and the GOP economic policies have been a complete failure for the people of Wisconsin. It’s time for new leaders in Madison know what it takes to build an economy that works for everyone - not just those at the top. That’s exactly what Democrats across this state are offering," Laning concluded.