MILWAUKEE- Vice President Mike Pence told a crowd in Milwaukee that the American economy is growing.
"Jobs are back, confidence is back and under President Donald Trump America is back," Pence told a friendly crowd at the Wisconsin Center. "And we're just getting started."
Pence spoke following a roundtable on the federal tax cuts signed into law late last year.
He touted the impact of the tax cuts on Wisconsin's economy.
"Wages are already on the rise because the tax cuts mean more income," the Vice President said.
The panel discussion beforehand featured U.S. Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend), Foxconn executive Louis Woo, and Alfredo Ortiz, CEO of the Job Creators Network.
"Overtaxation was one of the biggest things keeping people from investing in their businesses," said Ortiz.
"With the tax cuts that happened last year, and now that small businesses owners are starting to understand them, we're going to see hiring continue to grow and people investing more back into their businesses," he added.
Wednesday's event was hosted by America First Policies, a group formed to promote President Donald Trump's policies.
People who listened to Pence's speech said they liked what they heard.
Trisha Thacker, who's family runs JTK Trucking in West Bend, said she thinks the changes to the U.S. taxation system that Trump signed into law last year are already stimulating the economy in Wisconsin.
"Essentially, it's more money in our pocket," Thacker said.
"The middle class is the group that's often forgotten about, and anything that can stimulate the economy and help every single family in our state is wonderful," Thacker said.
Charles Garvens, of New Berlin, said he's very pleased with what the Trump administration has accomplished in office so far -- including the tax reform law.
"All the things they've been doing, I think, have been great," Garvens said.
Ahead of Pence's speech, local Democrats gathered at Pere Marquette Park to voice their disapproval of the tax law.
State Rep. Daniel Riemer (D-Milwaukee) said the tax cuts disproportionately benefit the wealthy.
"Tax cuts for the richest one percent in this country don't help middle class people, they don't help working people," Riemer said.
Jim Carpenter said he believes the benefits of the tax law are skewed towards corporations and the wealthy.
"In the short run, there will be a little tax cut for the middle class," Carpenter said. "But the corporate tax cuts are permanent and the benefits to individuals will sunset."
"The wealthy get the greatest tax benefits, and that makes our income tax system much more regressive," Carpenter said.
