WEDC Head Asked to Explain Agency’s ‘Mounting Troubles’

Several Democratic state lawmakers want the head of the state’s quasi-private economic development corporation to explain what they call “mounting troubles” at the agency.

A letter sent Monday by the eight Democratic lawmakers who now make up half of the legislature’s budget committee asked Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Director Paul Jadin to testify before the panel. Democrats say they want to know more about what they call improper tax breaks offered to a Stevens Point company.

Stevens Point Senate Democrat Julie Lassa sent another letter, asking the agency explain in more detail how it plans to spend $25 million in economic incentives. “This is the first report that they’re sending over to the Joint Finance Committee. I want to make sure that we set the bar high in terms of the standard that we expect WEDC to meet.”

WEDC spokesman Tom Thieding says Director Paul Jadin welcomes the chance to meet as soon as the co-chairs of the budget committee agree to hold a meeting. ”This is going to give the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation an opportunity to set the record straight on several points and I think also to highlight the successes that we’ve had over the last year and really to talk about the bold plans that we have for business development for Wisconsin’s future.“

Gov. Scott Walker proposed partially privatizing Wisconsin’s Commerce Department shortly after being elected in 2010. He reshuffled the department last week following reports of its mishandling of tax incentives, moving his Deputy Chief of Staff to the number two position in the agency.