Walker proposal on Commerce Department gets airing

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to partially privatize the state Commerce Department is getting its first public airing.

An Assembly committee is scheduled to take comments on the measure Thursday. Groups opposed to replace unionized state workers with private employees plan to speak out against it before the hearing.

Also on Thursday, four other Walker proposals to cut taxes and make more money available in economic incentives were up for votes in legislative committees. The Senate and Assembly were expected to take up the measures next week.

Walker said he supports changing one measure from a tax break to small companies to a credit of $1,000 for every job created, regardless of the company size.

He wants to reorganize the Commerce Department into a public-private hybrid focused on job creation.