6-11-13 wisconsin economic growth

A Ripon College economics professor says the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's latest index
ranking Wisconsin 49th in the nation for economic growth shows that Wisconsin is still behind most of the country when it comes to economic recovery.  Professor Paul Schoofs says manufacturing employment has taken the biggest hit even though manufacturing output has increased quite a bit.  "Yeah that's a bad sign for the economy here in the state,"  Schoofs said.  "It hasn't been good in preceeding months either like the data on the rate of job growth...below expectations."  He says manufacturers have been very cautious about increasing their output by adding employees.  Governor Scott Walker said the report is of concern, put should be put in context. The index relies heavily on the states' monthly employment report. Walker says the monthly report can change significantly. He says the report contradicts the state's continued revenue growth and a lack of an unemployment spike.  The Governor and Republican lawmakers say they have been taking steps over the last two and a half years to create a business friendly environment.  But

Schoofs says the open for business slogan is beginning to ring hollow.  "It gets harder and harder, I don't see that as coming to fruition."  So is there a light at the end of the tunnel?  Schoofs says any economic growth will be slow at best.