MADISON, Wis. -- Democrats who control the state Senate have unveiled a proposal they say will help create and retain jobs and businesses and improve worker education and training.

The head of the state Republican Party said Democrats are simply paying lip service to the idea of helping the economy and better ideas were generated by the GOP.

One part of the proposal announced Monday would spend $2 million to increase partnerships between businesses and the University of Wisconsin. It would also increase tax credits for those who invest in startup companies and create a new one for businesses that pay university or technical college tuition for their low-income employees.

State Sen. Pat Kreitlow, D-Chippewa Falls, said that the effort should help nudge the local economy.

"Frankly, someone has got to start placing bets on the Wisconsin economy," he said. "Someone has got to start putting capital to work making connections and putting some faith in Wisconsin entrepreneurs. And that's what we're doing."

The Legislature is done meeting for the year but is scheduled to return in mid-January.