In the News

Milwaukee job market among best in U.S.

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:22:07 -0400

Employers nationwide have a slightly rosier outlook on hiring heading into the fourth quarter, while the Milwaukee-area job market is expected to be among the strongest in the country, according to the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.

Tom Barrett speaks at jobs rally in Janesville

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:20:55 -0400

Barrett pledged to the people in the crowd that he would do everything he could to create, retain and attract jobs in the state.

"That’s a high priority," Barrett said. "Because I want, just as you want, jobs now." Barrett said that his Republican opponents, Mark Neumann and Scott Walker, complain about how lousy Wisconsin is and how many issues it has.

"You don’t sell a car, you don’t sell a dress, you don't sell a house by saying how lousy it is," Barrett said. "You talk about what’s good about your state and how you love your state."

Tom Barrett visits Central Wisconsin State Fair

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:24:10 -0400

With the state primary election in eight days, Republican and Democratic candidates were busy shaking hands and listening to potential voters during the weekend at the Central Wisconsin State Fair.

The leading Democratic Party candidate for governor easily mingled with the crowds Saturday, reaching out to shake hands and introducing himself with, "Hi, I'm Tom Barrett. I'm here to apply for a job."

Barrett brings gubernatorial bid to Kenosha

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 15:22:35 -0400

Barrett spoke with the Kenosha News on Friday about his campaign and said jobs have dominated the talk he has heard around Wisconsin.

“Jobs is the biggest issue,” Barrett said. “There’s a lot of uneasiness and uncertainty about them.”

Barrett said he would like to take an approach of collaboration with communities and business leaders to attract jobs, similar to the M7 coalition that came together in southeastern Wisconsin in 2005, co-chaired by Barrett. And while Milwaukee has been losing jobs, Barrett said the aggressive pursuit of retaining or adding jobs, such as hundreds of new employees from Frontier Airlines, has helped stem that job loss.

Mayor of Milwaukee promises to bring in jobs as governor

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 15:19:27 -0400

RACINE - Because he brought in jobs and cut costs as mayor of Milwaukee, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett said he can do the same thing at the state level if elected this fall.

During a session Friday with The Journal Times Editorial Board, Barrett repeatedly drew upon his experiences as mayor to show what he said makes him more than qualified to lead Wisconsin as the state faces financial woes. He said he'd focus most on making cuts to the state budget and bringing in jobs.

Barrett says stem cell research needs support

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:07:20 -0400

A US District court ruling this week blocked federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, although the Justice Department is expected to appeal. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, the Democratic candidate for governor, hopes the decision will be overturned.

Barrett unveils tourism plan in Green Bay

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:13:00 -0400

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett wants to make hunting, fishing and entering state parks free for two weekends a year to bolster tourism.

Barrett unveiled his "Take 2 on Wisconsin" idea Monday in Green Bay. He wants to make all tourist-related permit and registration fees free for both for state residents and visitors one weekend in the summer and one in the winter.

Barrett would waive parks fees twice a year as governor

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:57:00 -0400

Madison — Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett as governor would waive fees for state parks, hunting and fishing on two weekends a year in an effort to boost the economy by drawing more out-of-state tourists.

Barrett, a Democrat, announced his "Take 2 on Wisconsin" proposal Monday at an event in Green Bay.

The plan to suspend all tourism-related fees once in the summer and once in the winter would lure people from Chicago and the Twin Cities to take vacations in Wisconsin, Barrett's campaign said in a statement. The increased visits would help local businesses and generate sales tax money that would be used to promote tourism.

Barrett pays visit to Janesville

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 11:52:26 -0400

JANESVILLE — Robert Wells and his wife, Jane, just wanted a nice day out of the house.

At 100 and 94, respectively, the Beloit couple sat down at Mocha Moment on Thursday morning for a few cinnamon rolls with their grandson.

They just happened to come at the same time as another high-profile patron: Gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett.

Aldermen praise Mayor Barrett for continuing the fight for funding

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 11:47:33 -0400

Late Tuesday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced its decision to reject Milwaukee County’s application for individual aid to residents whose homes were lost or severely damaged, due to flooding. Alderman Willie L. Hines, Jr., President of the Common Council, and Alderman Ashanti Hamilton , Chair of the Judiciary and Legislation Committee, have expressed their disappointment with the lack of federal response.

“What FEMA has failed to realize is that for hundreds of Milwaukee families, their basements serve as first-floor dwelling units,” said President Hines Wednesday. “Mayor Barrett and his administrative staff made this case crystal clear in the supplemental materials that they supplied to FEMA last week. While I understand that FEMA has particular guidelines that must be followed, it appears that Milwaukee County meets those guidelines, so the application should be reconsidered.”