GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The mayor of Green Bay is upset with a state senator who told her supporters to boycott products made by one of the city’s largest employers.
Senate Democrat Lena Taylor of Milwaukee wrote on Facebook that people should boycott paper products made by Georgia-Pacific, which is owned by the conservative Koch brothers.
Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt said a boycott would be “very hurtful” to his city, noting that Georgia-Pacific has spent over $110 million to expand in his community over the last five years. Schmitt said people in Green Bay are proud to have G-P there. He said Taylor’s comments were merely “political rhetoric” but, “It’s something we don’t need.”
Taylor said Thursday she promoted a boycott because Charles and David Koch support policies that harm communities. The Koch brothers support Republican Governor Scott Walker – and Taylor is among Walker’s biggest critics in the Legislature.
She wrote on Facebook that people’s purchases of products like Dixie Cups and Quilted Northern Toilet Paper supports, “destruction of democracy.” Taylor she got her post from other elected officials, but has not said who they are.
Her comments have been a hot topic on conservative radio talk shows this week, but Taylor says it’s not the first time she put the message on Facebook.
Mike Kawleski of Georgia-Pacific said Taylor has a right to make her comments, but his firm is mostly concerned about its 2,300 Green Bay employees. He also noted that his company is growing and looking for workers in the face of a struggling economy.
