Monday, April 19, 2021

Gov. Evers saves Taxpayer money with Foxconn, Vos/Walker still losing money from reneged Talgo Train car debacle.

I was surprised by the announcement this morning that Gov. Evers and Foxconn came to a new contractual agreement, requiring fewer taxpayer dollars and allowing greater flexibility to Foxconn's shifting market plans:  

State Journal: Gov. Tony Evers said the new agreement "works for Wisconsin taxpayers while providing the support Foxconn needs to be successful here in our state."

“In response to unforeseeable economic conditions, Foxconn began formal negotiations with a desire to lower taxpayer liability in exchange for the flexibility to pursue business opportunities that meet market demand,” Jay Lee, Foxconn board member and vice chairman, said in a statement. Foxconn's original contract is unique in that it specifies exactly what the company needs to build in order to receive state tax credits.
And Foxconn didn't build it, soooooo new contract time. 

Can Robin Vos allow Gov. Evers this Victory? Vos just made it clear he didn't want a new deal, and as a new WEDC board member, cosplay-governor Robin Vos blasted Evers for "reneging" on the original Walker agreement. Vos believes Foxconn is currently a "success" because...

Vos: "...anyone who drives by Foxconn and sees huge buildings that are going up...," 

Yup, a sure sign of success, "huge buildings." 

Shockingly, this is what "fiscally conservative" Vos is defending (take notice voters):

There's more too... From Upfront:


Vos will say Foxconn is only saying nice things now because they have no choice and have to work with Gov. Evers. Note: WEDC might want to keep Vos out of any negotiations in the future:

Vos: "And Foxconn is making concessions, uh, because they are having their back up against the wall, even though they were meeting the goals that were set." 

Again, straight from Foxconn's Jay Lee on the renegotiated agreement: 

"...a desire to lower taxpayer liability in exchange for the flexibility to pursue business opportunities that meet market demand." 

2011-Remember when Vos/Walker Reneged on Talgo Trains? You can't get how hypocritical Vos-Republicans are, and reckless with taxpayer money. This Vos comment above stood out:

Vos on new Foxconn agreement: "I think it's sad, that when a company cuts a deal, with any entity like the state, that a new elected official comes in and tries to change it. It doesn't seem right." 

Vos and Scott Walker actually did just that, for real though; 

WSJ-November 2012: The state of Wisconsin has defaulted on an agreement to buy two sets of passenger rail cars from Talgo in Milwaukee … the state has instead decided to breach its contract with Talgo. Talgo CEO Antonio Perez said that the company invested in Wisconsin and created manufacturing jobs but "I don't see how any company in the future would choose to do business with the state of Wisconsin when the state has shown that it cannot be trusted to honor contracts that it has signed."
Even worse? In Nov. 2019, Wisconsin still had to buy new train cars with taxpayer money. Tossing taxpayer dollars away is a serious Republican problem:
JSOnline: Wisconsin taxpayers are spending $13 million on new Amtrak train cars even though they've already paid $60 million on a different set of train cars they will never get to use. In a 2015 settlement with Talgo, the Walker administration agreed to give Talgo more money — and let the company keep the trains.

Most of that money was borrowed and the state will pay $20.5 million in interest over 20 years. That will bring the total cost to $80.5 million.

Taxpayers will be paying off the debt on the trains the state will never use until 2036.
Back in Dec. 2011, Vos outright lied and couldn't stop whining about the Talgo train JOBS coming to the city of Milwaukee. He's a business and job killer: From Upfront Dec 2011:


As for Foxconn's ability to adapt to market forces, here's a recent video about possible EV's being produced in Wisconsin. Note; they're also considering Mexico:



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