There’s a discussion Thursday about which state has the better business climate: Minnesota or Wisconsin?
But it’s being held by the Minnesota House Commerce and Consumer Protection Finance and Policy Committee, so how fair will that be?
To even the playing field, the committee has invited Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker to attend. If he can’t, they’ll settle for a proxy.
In the invitation letter to Walker, Committee Chair Joe Atkins said:
“Minnesota and Wisconsin have long engaged in a healthy rivalry across a spectrum of issues — everything from business climate and school quality to job growth and taxes, not to mention the quality of our sports teams.”
The hearing, Atkins said, will:
“compare and contrast the advantages that Minnesota and Wisconsin offer their respective residents and businesses.
“In an effort to make the hearing as fair and accurate as possible to each state, I would invite you (or your designee) to join us at this hearing.”
The hearing is at 9 a.m. Thursday in the State Office Building on the Capitol grounds.
Business Climate
Not much of a debate there. When Minnesota has one of the fastest growing climates in the country and Wisconsin one of the worst, that alone pretty much ends the debate. It’s not like we’re quibbling over a half percentage point here or there–the market has spoken loud and strong on the issue.
Personally, I doubt we’ll hear a thing from Walker on the subject. Like Pawlenty, he’s intent on running his state into the ground all in the name if ideology and the hope for a lucrative consulting job once he’s out of office in a few years.