Senator: Earlier Foxconn Deal Would Have Left Taxpayers “Exposed”

A board member for the state’s job agency says taxpayers might have been stuck with a huge bill if Foxconn violates its agreement to create thousands of jobs. Democratic Senator Tim Carpenter says it’s why the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation board delayed action this month on the state’s final contract to give billions in incentives to Foxconn for its new high tech plant in Racine County. Carpenter tells the Wisconsin State Journal that the corporation’s C-E-O, Mark Hogan, could not guarantee that the deal would protect taxpayers if Foxconn violates it. Carpenter said he decided to expose the matter after a lawyer for the village of Mount Pleasant called the matter a “technical issue” — and the senator said it was more than that. The board will take up the contract again next month.