Walker puts new steps in place after WEDC error

By SCOTT BAUER

Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Gov. Scott Walker says the state’s semi-private economic development agency will put new safeguards in place after it offered tax breaks to a Wisconsin company contingent on it winning a state bid.

Walker told members of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. board at its Thursday meeting that from now on WEDC will ask companies if they are submitting or intend to submit a bid for state work before offering them incentives.

Walker calls that a good step at increasing internal control.

Procedures of the agency have come under question after it made a tax break offer to information systems company Skyward in March, then rescinded it earlier this month after Walker’s administration raised questions because the company was bidding on a $15 million state project.