Editorial: On talk and action
Frank talk about the state's business climate last week had some complaining that we're being too hard on ourselves. But maybe the opposite is true.
From the Journal Sentinel
Jan. 16, 2008

Blunt talk about Wisconsin's business climate scratched open an old wound for some people last week: We're just too hard on ourselves, they complained.

But perhaps we haven't been hard enough.

Executives Richard Armbrust of The Oilgear Co., Jeff Joerres of Manpower Inc., Paul Purcell of Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc., John Shiely of Briggs & Stratton Corp. and Tim Sullivan of Bucyrus International Inc. engaged in an unusual session during a Public Policy Forum luncheon Thursday that was notable for its frankness (www.jsonline.com/705904).

Taxes are too high, they complained. Health care costs are out of control. The public school system is broken and doesn't align with the skills needed by employers. Business success isn't celebrated.

"Get on a plane, go to China and you get picked up in a limousine with lights flashing," Armbrust said, noting that government and education officials are eager to meet and explain how they can help. "Go to Milwaukee and you don't find that," he said.

Wisconsin and the Midwest is in a global fight for its economic life, and its business climate isn't competitive in fundamental ways. Armbrust's point was that other regions - other countries - are competing hard and understand the importance of economic development.

Do we wish there had been more discussion of Milwaukee's strengths? (There was some.) More of a focus on solutions? Do we expect business leaders to put their own shoulders to the wheel? You bet to all three.

But a cold-blooded assessment of the economic landscape can be useful - if it doesn't end there. Armbrust, Joerres, Purcell, Shiely and Sullivan have an obligation as respected leaders in Milwaukee to make sure that it doesn't.

If they want change, they should persuade Republicans who are blocking commuter rail to relent, should pressure Democrats who may block Gov. Jim Doyle's proposed tax incentives for business development to back down, should promote our research universities, including the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Marquette University, and should support efforts to create more pools of capital for emerging businesses so that new Oilgears, Briggs & Strattons and Bairds can sprout and grow.

There's nothing wrong with talk. Action is even better.

Were the CEOs at the Public Policy Forum luncheon right about Wisconsin's business climate? Send a letter to: Journal Sentinel editorial department