Wisconsin’s push toward adopting right-to-work legislation has prompted a Minnesota Republican to invite two construction companies to move to his state.
Job Growth and Energy Affordability Committee Chairman Rep. Pat Garofalo, R-Farmington, sent invitations to the owners of Hoffman Construction Co. in Black River Falls, and Rock Road Companies of Janesville. He says if the owners of private-sector companies are unhappy with Wisconsin government, they “have a friend in Minnesota.”
Garofalo said he has spoken to “a couple” of Wisconsin employers about moving to Minnesota, but he declined to name them. James Hoffman, of Hoffman Construction, and Bill Kennedy, of Rock Road, could not be reached immediately for comment.
Garofalo said he supported Act 10 legislation but said that is like “comparing apples and hand grenades” in relation to right-to-work. He said he doesn’t understand why Wisconsin government is telling private-sector companies how to do their business.
“Minnesota taxes are too high, our regulations need improvement,” Garofalo said. “But Wisconsin is giving us a great opportunity to level the playing field with its actions today.”
In a response to the letter, Rep. Dean Knudson, R-Hudson, said GOP legislators’ record “stands strong against Minnesota’s choice to tax and spend.”
He added: “No one should be forced to join any organization as a condition of employment. This is a simple issue of worker choice and freedom.”
See the press release and the letter sent to Rock Road Companies
