Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce not looking out for Wisconsin

By opposing a bill to help remove lead pipes that would help protect the health and safety of our children, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) has demonstrated once again that they are not representing the interest of business in Wisconsin but are simply a shell for the far right.  There are three things that underpin Wisconsin’s economy: clean air and water, an outstanding quality of life, and an educated workforce.  One common element of all three of these is that local government plays an important role. Indeed with the current state and federal legislatures and administrations, local government are the last bastions that are looking out for the welfare of Wisconsinites over the interests of the far right. WMC has used obscene amounts of money to take control of the legislature, Governor and state Supreme Court, now they want to use that control to silence local government.

 

 This is evidenced by their ridiculous opposition to Sen. Cowles’ modest bill to help Wisconsinites remove lead pipes and their latest call to preempt the ability of local governments to protect their constituents from the hazardous effects of Frac Sand mines.   This call to preempt local control over frac sand mines is as short-sighted as it is dangerous.  Short-sighted because whether WMC likes it or not, we are witnessing the demise of fossil fuels not only in electricity generation but also in transportation.  Indeed, some experts think that by 2030 a majority of cars will be electric, so destroying our environment to fuel current vehicles is foolish.  This is also dangerous because this would prevent local governments from protecting their residence from the air and water pollution from frac sand mines, and it would increase the strain on our rail system from frac sand trains.

 

 

 If WMC were really doing its job they would be working with us  to increase public transit so people can get to work and to expand renewable energy and conservation, so we can stop sending billions of dollars out of state every year for fossil fuels.