From The December 16 Oshkosh Northwestern
Wisconsin residents won't elect the next governor for another 11 months now, but the race already is well underway.
With a declared Libertarian candidate in the former governor's brother and the unlikelihood that the Republican Party will present a challenger for Gov. Scott McCallum, the most entertaining facet of the governor's race during the first nine months of 2002 will come from the Democratic end of the political spectrum.
Four candidates are already jockeying for the Democratic nomination during this summer's party convention and subsequent primary election on Sept. 3, 2002. The only one to step forward with a bona fide economic development plan is Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk.
Released 10 days ago when she formally initiated her campaign, Falk's economic plan reads like a notebook recorded at the state economic summit held at the end of November.
Several components of her plan closely resemble the spirit of the more than 30 sessions focusing on a variety of needs for economic development in the state: from quoting author Michael Porter's description of clustering to touting the need for high-speed rail in the state to strengthening Wisconsin's brand identity.
Unfortunately, perhaps, for Falk's campaign, many of her initiatives to generate venture capital to assist emerging business already is underway in the state Legislature. And those measures are advancing through the Legislature with the pressure of state Republicans.
While Falk's plan argues it's necessary to adopt a strategy to keep corporate headquarters and research and development functions here in Wisconsin, I can't say I've seen state Democrats historically support the kind of tax abatement legislation necessary to keep businesses here. Such plans generally have had the support of state Republicans, and Falk would have to rally support from her own party to make such business incentives a reality.
Falk's plan also talks about supporting training and education initiatives, but offers no concrete detail as to how those programs would be implemented, and perhaps more importantly, how those programs would be funded.
At the same time, Falk - rather than talking about developing a new program to address economic issues such as creating entrepreneurial opportunities for women and minorities - emphasizes making greater use of existing programs. There's nothing innovative there. Not to mention that more effectively using federal and state dollars requires an agenda and often more administration.
Falk should deserve credit for some original ideas and for her past record of fiscal responsibility in Dane County. Recognizing the need to further leverage Wisconsin's reputation as a center for bio-engineering and bio-informatics, Falk said Wisconsin needs to make a greater effort to bring key scientific conferences to the state. It's not only a temporary gush of tourism dollars into the state, but an opportunity to show off everything else Wisconsin is proud to offer.
Improving the state's weakened bond rating also was noted in Falk's plan, and Falk has proven the fiscal know-how to run a tight ship. Dane County is one of only two counties in the state currently boasting the highest bond rating possible.
Falk is on the right track as the first gubernatorial candidate to issue a state economic development plan. But it still requires some refining as well as more precise approaches to accomplishing each of her goals.
SEAN FITZGERALD: (920)426-6678 OR SFITZGERAL@SMGPO.GANNETT.COM.