The Republican leader of the Wisconsin Senate says six or seven more votes are needed to approve a tax incentive package designed to stop consumer products company Kimberly-Clark from closing a plant near Appleton.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald told reporters Tuesday “the votes are not there as of today.” He says there are 10 or 11 Republicans in support of the bill. It takes 17 votes to pass the bill, meaning Democrats would be needed to join Republicans in supporting it.
Democrats have said they prefer a different approach to help the paper industry in Wisconsin, rather than the measure that would direct tens of millions of dollars in taxpayer money exclusively to Kimberly-Clark.
Kimberly-Clark has threatened to close the plant, which employs about 390 people.
