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WEDC Gag Order Proposed PDF Print E-mail
News - Articles for State & Local
Written by GBP Staff   
Wednesday, 13 July 2016 14:33

capitol-night-wiscThe Board of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. is set to consider Thursday a policy that would bar them from talking to reporters and releasing information about the agency’s operations. Instead of more secrecy, the public needs more transparency.


MADISON, WI - Under a proposed rule that could be voted on tomorrow, Wisconsin taxpayers will find it increasingly difficult if not impossible to find out what is going on at WEDC.

The Board of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC) is set to consider Thursday a policy that would bar them from talking to reporters and releasing information they obtain from WEDC chief executive officer Mark Hogan about the agency’s operations that isn’t covered by the state’s open records law.

Since its inception, the WEDC Board has little control over how WEDC is run, even when the result has been staff ignoring state law and taxpayers being defrauded of millions of dollars because of either political pressure or staff failing to adequately vet applicants.

dave-hansenThis proposal would make it even more difficult for the Board to provide appropriate oversight of WEDC and to fulfill their roles as guardians of taxpayer dollars.

“Over the course of WEDC’s short history we have seen millions of dollars given to companies that have shipped Wisconsin jobs to foreign countries and businesses that are run by Republican campaign donors with little if any value returned to taxpayers in the form of family supporting jobs," said Senator Dave Hansen (D - Green Bay).

“Instead of more secrecy, the public needs more transparency with respect to the dealings inside WEDC," he said. "The only thing transparent about this proposal is a continuing attempt to deny Wisconsin taxpayers their right to know what is being done at WEDC with their tax dollars and in their name.”

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Jay Wadd contributed to this story.

Last Updated on Friday, 15 July 2016 14:56
 
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