Barrett vows to lift construction roadblocks if elected governor

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett speaks during a campaign stop at Full Compass Systems Ltd. in Verona on Thursday. Barrett says he will jump start more construction work in Wisconsin if elected governor. (Photo by Paul Snyder)

By Paul Snyder

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said Thursday during a press conference in Verona he wants to jump start more construction work in Wisconsin if elected governor.

During a campaign stop at the Verona headquarters of Full Compass Systems Ltd., Barrett unveiled a five-point Wisconsin job creation plan. The plan includes a 20 percent direct tax credit for project builders that complete work in areas of the state targeted for redevelopment, investor tax credits for affordable housing projects and bond guaranties for local governments’ projects.

“I want to launch construction projects we need to strengthen infrastructure and create jobs immediately,” Barrett said, adding he wants to cut the red tape in the state approval process to get more projects under way sooner.

“We have 25 to 30 percent of the construction work force sitting on the bench,” he said. “They want projects too.”