Lawmaker calls for more oversight of WEDC

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The co-chair of the Legislature’s Audit Committee says more information is needed about what is happening with taxpayer money under the control of state agencies, including the new quasi-private group that leads economic development efforts for the state.

Democratic state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout on Wednesday said she is drafting legislation to improve oversight.

The Audit Committee also held a hearing Wednesday with the head of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. and state auditors to discuss work of the year-old agency and how to better track spending on job creation efforts.

The Audit Bureau in June released a report saying that eight state agencies that spent tens of millions of dollars on economic development programs don’t have a complete picture of the payoff.