Senate OKs early primary

0 Comments | Milwaukee Journal, The, Apr 5, 1995 | by Steven Walters

The Journal Sentinel staff

11p1 assumed Madison Trying to help assemble a "Big 10" presidential primary of Midwest states, the state Senate voted Tuesday to move Wisconsin's 1996 presidential preference primary from April to March.

The 18-14 vote sent the bill to the Assembly, which is expected to vote on a similar bill of its own Wednesday.

The change would also move up non-partisan municipal and judicial elections to the same March 19 date.

Republican sponsors said moving the presidential primary and spring elections from April 2 to March 19 for only next year would let voters pick a presidential favorite with voters in Ohio, Illinois, Michigan and maybe Pennsylvania.

But the 14 Democrats who opposed the bill hinted that the one-year move was a not- so-subtle boost for the presidential dreams of Republican Gov. Tommy G. Thompson, who has hinted that he may run for president after the state budget is approved this summer.

Thompson, 53, the longest- serving governor in Wisconsin history, is a national Republican Party leader. He may run as a favorite son candidate in a "Big 10" primary, Democrats noted.

"We shouldn't pass candidate-specific bills," said Sen. Lynn S. Adelman (D-Town of Waterford). "We already have a hard enough time getting people to vote."

Another Democrat, Sen. Fred A. Risser of Madison, said presidential candidates would pay more attention to Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan all of which have more voters and are more important than Wisconsin.

"We're going to be at the bottom of the totem pole," Risser said.

But a March 19 vote would again get the presidential favorite of Wisconsin noticed nationally, Republicans said.

"Right now, our primary is a big non-event," said Sen. Margaret A. Farrow (R-Elm Grove).

The sponsor of the change, Sen. Gary Drzewiecki (R-Pulaski), said Midwestern states in a "Big 10" presidential primary would rival "Super Tuesday" primaries in Southern states.

A March 19 presidential primary also would put Wisconsin in the "flight path" of the hundreds of political reporters who crisscross the nation following candidates or meeting local political leaders, Drzewiecki said.

"It's a one-shot deal (to) see how it works before we make it permanent," he said.

Under the bill:

Nomination papers could be circulated after Nov. 1 for the March 19, 1996, election.

Nomination papers must be returned by Dec. 5.

Primary elections required in municipal and judicial elections would be held Feb. 6 instead of later that month, as under current law.

Also Tuesday, the Senate voted, 30-2, to give a Minnesota business tax credits worth up to $3 million if the company builds a new plant in Eau Claire.

The bill would move a "development opportunity zone" from Beloit to Eau Claire, where Hutchinson Technology Inc. plans a 120,000-square- foot plant that eventually could have 1,400 workers.

Under the bill, Hutchinson would have three years to earn tax credits by building in Eau Claire and hiring those who are jobless or graduates of a job-training program.

The $3 million in tax credits would be part of a $17 million aid package promised by city and state governments and Eau Claire-area bankers. The governor has also promised to seek $1.25 million more in job- training grants for Hutchinson.

Although some senators wanted to make Hutchinson repay any tax credits if the company leaves the state within 10 years, Eau Claire- area senators said that was not needed.

Hutchinson's promise to invest $50 million in Eau Claire "is a guarantee," said Sen. David Zien (R-Eau Claire).

Hutchinson's new plant would be a much-needed economic boost for Eau Claire, hurt by the closing of a Uniroyal tire plant, said Sen. Rodney C. Moen (D-Whitehall).

Hutchinson said its starting jobs will pay $6.50 to $7.50 per hour, but Moen said many of the jobs will pay $9 per hour higher than the current average wage in the area.

On a 98-0 vote, the Assembly concurred with the bill to award Hutchinson the tax credits. The measure now goes to the governor.

Also, the State Assembly voted Tuesday to set aside $480,000 in job training funds for Briggs & Stratton employees who are laid off from the Wauwatosa plant.

WELFARE VOTE DELAYED SEE STORY ON B5