By James Briggs Gov.-elect Scott Walker has reiterated his administration‘s plan to dissolve the state Department of Commerce and replace its economic development functions with a public-private board. If Walker follows through, the move would be consistent with statements he ...

Tagged with: ABC AGC Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin Boullion Department of Agriculture Department of Commerce John Mielke Madison Safety and Buildings Division Trade and Consumer Protection

By James Briggs Wisconsin’s staff of commercial building inspectors has dwindled during the past decade from more than 20 to 11, causing concern over whether the state can process inspections quickly enough. Some city officials are pushing for reinstatement of ...

Tagged with: Bayland Buildings Department of Commerce Hozeny inspections Safety and Buildings Division

By James Briggs A state agency has put on hold a decades-old program that certifies municipalities to do plan reviews and commercial building inspections. The state Department of Commerce, though, disputes some cities’ claims that it has stopped responding to ...

Tagged with: Department of Commerce Legislative Audit Bureau Safety and Buildings Division

By James Briggs In an effort to supplement Wisconsin’s cash-strapped budget, a division of state government has delayed municipalities’ applications to carry out commercial building inspections and plan reviews, two retired state officials said. The state Department of Commerce’s Safety ...

Tagged with: budget Department of Commerce Green Bay Safety and Buildings Division