MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Choppers and cheese may soon become official Wisconsin symbols.
Bills to honor Harley-Davidson motorcycles and Lactococcus lactis -- a bacteria used in the making of cheese -- with the state symbol designation have been introduced in the Legislature. Supporters say celebrating two of the state's most well-known exports will help promote the dairy and motorcycle industries in lean times.
Politicians have never been afraid to try to score points by capitalizing on Wisconsin's cheese industry and Harley-Davidson's home base in Milwaukee.
The latest efforts come at a time when the entire state economy is struggling. Unemployment has nearly doubled in 12 months and nearly 130,000 people have lost their jobs in the same period.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
