02/06/2009 Governor’s Conference on Economic Development
2/6/2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009 – 2009 Governor’s Conference on Economic Development
Lt. Governor Lawton gave the opening address at the 2009 Governor Conference on Economic Development Thursday, the annual conference sponsored by the Wisconsin Economic Development Association. Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton described a vulnerable national economy needing a jump-start with essential stimulus legislation falling prey to partisan bickering. She called on the state’s economic development experts to intervene and offer guidance to ensure federal dollars connect to new jobs here in Wisconsin.
Above: Lt. Governor Lawton speaks at the 2009 Governor Conference on Economic Development. The annual conference was attended by over 350 economic development professionals from around the Wisconsin.
“We are living in this paradox where economists of all stripes are issuing an urgent call to act swiftly; then Republican House members dig in their heels while Republican governors go on prime time television to beg Congress to pass a stimulus package,” said Lawton. “America needs a smart economic strategy, and Wisconsin needs to find its competitive edge within that frame. We’re looking, now, for that winning combination to rebuild infrastructure, sustain essential services, and invest in future growth for longer term returns on those investments.”
Lawton called on the group to communicate job creation ideas and proposals to Governor Doyle, the Legislature and the Office of Recovery and Reinvestment. Projects may be submitted by visiting: www.recovery.wisconsin.gov.
“We can’t afford out-dated models: we need to match investment to a 21st century definition of infrastructure,” Lawton said. “Rural broadband, renewable energy technology and a smart grid for electrical transmission, greater access to higher education and early childhood education, and regional rail transit all lay tracks to new jobs and an economy that will grow.”
Lawton gave examples of smart strategies in motion around the state, noting that the Milwaukee 7 Water Council has already weighed in with Washington lawmakers asking that water infrastructure be included in the stimulus package.
Thursday, February 5, 2009 – The Presidential Initiative for Global Citizen Diplomacy
Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton joined international policy experts and public officials calling for increased national commitment to citizen engagement in international relations at home and abroad Thursday, at the National Press Club in Washington DC.
Lawton was a featured speaker at the launch of the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy’s nation-wide initiative with goals to advance a complex of strategies to multiply the connections between American citizens and their counterparts overseas fourfold by 2016.
Left: Lt. Governor Lawton delivers remarks at the launch of the Presidential Initiative for Global Citizen Diplomacy at the National Press Club in Washington D.C.
Lawton and more than 40 U.S. leaders from prominent organizations in international affairs took part in forming the Initiative and Call to Action at a Leadership Forum on Citizen Diplomacy co-sponsored by the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy, the Howard Gilman Foundation and the Johnson Foundation in October 2008 at the Wingspread Conference Center in Racine, WI.
Left) Lt. Governor Lawton and U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy Executive Director Anne Schodde
