MADSION, Wis. (From news reports) -- A tax break package designed to stop consumer products giant Kimberly-Clark from cutting 600 Wisconsin jobs has cleared the state Assembly.

The Assembly passed it 56-37 Thursday and it now goes to the state Senate.

Democrats say the move is just a political ploy, especially since Kimberly-Clark did not ask for the incentives. The company has been noncommittal on whether the tax breaks would entice them to reverse a decision to close two plants in northeast Wisconsin.

The tax credit on jobs alone could cost the state between $100 million and $115 million over the 15 years.

The incentives are modeled after a multi-billion incentives deal to entice electronics giant Foxconn Technology Group into building a flat-screen plant in Mount Pleasant.

A coalition of conservative groups opposes the Kimberly-Clark deal. They say it's bad economics and sets a bad precedent for economic development.

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