Foxconn already causing damage, while Walker Admin, UW help a company that deserves none

You may recall that one of the many reasons that the Foxconn deal is awful is because environmental and wetland regulations were waived as part of the incentive package, literally creating a special part of Foxconn-sin where other rules don’t apply.

And those environmental concerns have already come home to roost, even before one product has rolled off the line in the plant that is slated for Racine County.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has fined a Foxconn subsidiary almost $1,200 for failing to comply with its erosion control plan in the Village of Mount Pleasant, which led to runoff in the area over Labor Day weekend.

When heavy rain hit the construction area over the holiday weekend, an advocacy group that pushes for transparency in government, A Better Mount Pleasant, posted a video on Facebook that showed runoff from the site spilling into Lamparek Creek, which leads to the nearby Pike River.

Ooooh, $1,200! That’s almost as much as the kickback Foxconn will receive from Wisconsin taxpayers for hiring someone at $15 an hour….for 3 months.

But you still know it’s flagrant when Scott Walker’s Koched-up DNR has to give a slap on the wrist to their buddies at Foxconn, and it wasn’t only because the damage too obvious to ignore, but because Foxconn didn’t live up to their promises on what how they’d protect the surrounding community.

A notice of noncompliance from the DNR issued Friday against FEWI Development Corp. said the company was supposed to build a drainage basin before stripping the area’s topsoil or grading the site, instead only 30 percent of the basin was finished when said work began.

A DNR inspection made at the request of the village found the entire area had been disturbed and contributed to the discharge.

The DNR’s notice of noncompliance states Foxconn has addressed the issue but part of the changes being made to improve erosion control include the DNR’s presence at weekly site meetings that will evaluate the company’s erosion plan.

Yes, I’m sure that DNR action has shaken Foxconn to its core and that we’ll NEVER see flooding and runoff like this again as more excavation happens, acres of blacktop are put in, and snow melts this Spring.

There’s also been a disturbing trend where Foxconn continues to get free advertising from state government agencies that homegrown businesses in Wisconsin don’t. Take a look at this recent tweet from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.

WI manufacturers - learn more about the process for being a #Foxconn supplier at 2 upcoming WEDC workshops: 10/19 in Superior; 10/29 in Milwaukee. Sessions are free, but space is limited. Register at: https://t.co/QIjD3n6FhZ #WisconnValley @SuperiorChamber @MMAC_Chamber pic.twitter.com/uTvL4JawjG

— Wis Dept of Revenue (@wi_revenue) October 15, 2018

And look at Walker DOA Secretary Ellen Nowak doing a taxpayer-funded campaign stop last week in Portage to claim “Foxconn is a good business partner you should consider.” Why aren’t thousands of other businesses being recommended by this administration?

In addition, why is my alma mater hosting a “Foxconn Days” event this week?

During the two-day event, in addition to showcasing some of Foxconn’s cutting-edge global technology and innovations, Foxconn staff will be onsite to share more details about the Foxconn Institute for Research in Science and Technology (FIRST) and to discuss career opportunities with students.

“This event is a great opportunity for people on the Madison campus and in the broader community to learn more out about breakthroughs that are happening at Foxconn,” said Charles Hoslet, Vice Chancellor for University Relations, UW–Madison. “Students, faculty and staff, alumni, and community members can also learn about career opportunities, and the plans and opportunities for research collaborations between Foxconn and the campus.”

Foxconn is currently recruiting for several hundred positions in Wisconsin. Career opportunities cover a variety of areas and skillsets in human resources, hardware, software and firmware engineering, finance and accounting, legal, business analysis, graphics and interior design, construction management, and sales and marketing….

At Foxconn Days, attendees will hear more about Foxconn’s vision for its Wisconsin operations and the emerging technologies that will form much of Foxconn’s AI 8K+5G ecosystem. Attendees will also have an opportunity to learn about Foxconn’s Smart Cities – Smart Futures competition, which is open to all students, faculty and staff at any Wisconsin university or technological college. As part of that initiative, Foxconn will award up to $1 million in prizes to incentivize new technologies and concepts that are aimed for the development of smart, connected cities.

Why are you dragging Bucky into this?

This is nothing more than a PR BS event for Foxconn using UW-Madison’s good name. And you saw it coming when Foxconn announced its $100 million challenge grant a couple of months ago, where the company MIGHT give UW some research funds, as long as UW raises $100 million on its own to help them, and gives Foxconn a free labor supply.

There are more of these Foxconn job fair events coming in the next 2 weeks ahead of November election (what a coincidence!), including one in Milwaukee 4 days before voters go to the polls. All filled with job promises and gadgets that are not reality today, and are highly unlikely to meet those expectations after November 2018.

It is sickening, and blatantly transparent. Foxconn and the WisGOPs who signed off on that scam know the rest of the state sees through this boondoggle, and they are desperately trying to keep outraged voters from replacing these WisGOPs with politicians who will hold that sketchy company accountable, and end the scam if Foxconn doesn’t hold up its end of the bargain.

Aww heck, the Legislature should just give Foxconn a $100 million check and have them get out of our state for good, as it’ll be a much better deal than handing them nearly $500 million in the next state budget. Especially since any of the jobs and construction work for Foxconn will have little (if any) impact on overall state employment, wage growth or tax revenue, as many other places in the state will have business and resources taken away from them by the tax-advantaged Foxconn.