A big question after the election is what will happen to the state's deal with Foxconn now that Gov. Scott Walker will soon be out of the picture.
While Gov.-elect Tony Evers was on the campaign trail, he said he would like to see improvements to the Foxconn deal. A Foxconn spokesman told TODAY’S TMJ4 that they plan to work with Evers, but adds their contract has already been signed into law.
Foxconn’s landscape in Racine County is constantly on the mend. Construction crews have made major progress in Phase 1, Area 1 of the project where a large structure already stands.
Major changes are also happening off-site as the Governor who paved the way to get Foxconn here is on his way out. He’ll be replaced by a man with far different political views.
“I don’t see there being a big change in what Foxconn is going to do here,” said Racine Mayor Cory Mason.
Mason supported the Foxconn deal while he was still in the state legislature, giving up to $4.5 billion of taxpayer's money to Foxconn if the tech giant meets agreements to build a large facility and hire up to 13,000 workers.
Mason doesn’t see Evers trying to trim the state’s investment.
“He’d like to see some improvements, but you know, from a Wisconsin perspective, we’ve reached this agreement with Foxconn,” he said.
Foxconn was quick to congratulate Evers on his victory, saying they’re committed to making a positive impact on the state.
Democratic state representative Peter Barca believes there’s one issue Evers will likely push for compromise.
“I think environmental changes, that’s something that many of the people in the state found objectionable and I think he’d find a receptive audience at Foxconn,” Barca said.
Under Walker, the state has allowed Foxconn to bypass some environmental regulations, particularly on smog pollution.
“We can set a standard for other companies to get these kinds of inclusions would be a plus,” Barca said.
Evers officially takes office Jan. 7, 2019.
