Walker proposal reorganizing Commerce moves ahead

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Gov. Scott Walker proposal that would reorganize the state Commerce Department into a public-private hybrid has won approval from two legislative committees, moving the measure closer to reality.

The bill was altered in committee Thursday to require semi-annual audits of the new agency and additional reports detailing program goals and results.

Democratic attempts to require that employees of the new agency be state workers, instead of private, failed. No Democrat voted for the measure in the Assembly committee and only one did in the Senate panel.

The bill is expected to clear the Legislature’s budget committee on Monday and pass the full Legislature on Wednesday.

Democrats say the new agency isn’t clearly defined, while Republicans argue that’s intentional so it has more flexibility to attract businesses.