Republican plans skirt the real issues says Democratic leader.

MADISON – Today, the State Senate is in session to vote on numerous bills, including several pieces of legislation relating to unemployment insurance. State Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison), Senate Democratic Leader, released the following statement:

“Wisconsin unemployment rates have consistently sat at record lows recently, while our state’s labor participation rate trends above the national average. Despite this, I know that many businesses are still struggling to fill vacant positions.

“Republicans have put forth legislation that skirts the problem and makes unemployment insurance more difficult to access – something that a record low number of people are even using currently. If we actually want to address our state’s labor shortage, we must make Wisconsin a place where people want to live, work, and play.

“People want to live in a state where their work is valued and they can access affordable health care. Families want to live in a state where their kids’ schools are funded adequately and they can have children or care for a loved one without going bankrupt. Wisconsinites want to know that gun violence is being taken seriously and tangible steps are being taken to prevent it from occurring in the future.

“Our labor crisis is not because people are sitting on the sideline - Wisconsinites are known for our strong work ethic. If we want to address our state’s workforce needs, we must enact policies that attract and retain workers in Wisconsin.”