Ryan Departure Leaves Foxconn Future In Question Print
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Written by Wisconsin Senate, Kate Constalie   
Saturday, 14 April 2018 16:48

trump-walker-foxconnForeign corporation had banked on special favors from Ryan, Priebus and Walker.


MADISON – The retirement of Speaker Paul Ryan, combined with Gov. Scott Walker’s uncertain political future and the earlier ouster of Reince Priebus from Trump’ White House, is once again raising questions about the future of Foxconn in Wisconsin.

The Taiwan-based electronics manufacturer had already been dogged by a history of unfulfilled job announcements and broken promises. Now, the departure of another high-ranking Republican backer of massive tax breaks for the foreign corporation is creating more uncertainty for state taxpayers.

jennifer-shilling-lc“Wisconsin families who are on the hook for this $4.5 billion corporate giveaway are nervous,” said Senate Democratic leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse). “Are we going to spend millions of dollars only to have the rug pulled out from under us by a foreign corporation with a record of broken promises?”

Foxconn’s reputation for abandoning projects and failing to deliver on thousands of promised jobs has been well documented. Development plans by Foxconn in places like Pennsylvania, Indonesia, India, Vietnam and Brazil all failed to materialize or meet promised expectations.

“It’s clear that the $4.5 billion Foxconn gamble has become an albatross instead of the golden goose Republicans thought it would be,” added Shilling. “Hardworking families are concerned that billions of dollars are being taken from our local schools, roads and communities to subsidize a foreign corporation with a terrible track record of workplace abuses, toxic pollution and broken promises. With Speaker Ryan’s departure, the risk to taxpayers is likely to increase exponentially.”