La Crosse state rep. Jill Billings still skeptical of $3 billion Foxconn deal

All 22 Democratic amendments to bill were denied 

A vote on a huge incentive package for manufacturing giant Foxconn takes place in Madison on Thursday.

The full Assembly is scheduled to vote on the $3-billion proposal for the Taiwanese manufacturer to set up shop in the Wisconsin. La Crosse state rep. Jill Billings is still skeptical. 

“We can look at these numbers in a million different ways but there’s just a lot of uncertainty here,” Billings said.

Foxconn plans a $10 billion investment with a promise of 13,000 jobs in the state, eventually.

A state analysis found, in a best-case scenario, it would take 25 years for taxpayers to see a return from the incentives provided to the company.

“You have to have trust,” Billings said. “You have to jump off that cliff and say, ‘OK, the $3 billion is worth it. I’m going to go with it.’

“For me, I just think there are a lot of uncertainties.”

Earlier this week, an Assembly committee approved the plan along party lines with all Republicans voting for it and all Democrats against. 

Democrats were also denied all 22 amendments to the Foxconn incentive bill.