Economic development.
This interview with RedPrairie executive John Jazwiec is a frank look at the status of business in Wisconsin. We're losing manufacturing jobs, so we need to look at replacing them with quality jobs in new fields. Retail and service jobs do not support the cost of living in Wisconsin.
To attract and retain quality employers, Wisconsin's excessive healthcare costs need to be addressed. Employers will not come here if they can't afford to retain employees by providing good benefits. Employees will not relocate here if the salaries and benefits don't match the cost of living.
Keeping companies like Red Prairie does not only benefit RedPrairie employees. For example, these employees will buy houses, benefitting home builders and their workers. Employees working low-paying retail jobs can't afford to invest in a community this way.
If we want to stop losing our educated residents to Chicago or the west coast, Wisconsin needs to make it worthwhile for businesses to stay here.