Gov. Walker Fired From Troubled Jobs Agency Print
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Written by GBP Staff   
Friday, 22 May 2015 10:57

walker-wedcMADISON – Amid calls for a federal investigation into alleged corruption and criminal violations, legislative Republicans on the Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) voted on Thursday to remove Gov. Scott Walker from his position as Chairman of the scandal-plagued Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Board.

Numerous concerns had been raised in a recent audit of WEDC operations by the non-partisan Legislative Audit Bureau. In addition, an investigative report by the Wisconsin State Journal revealed a $500,000 loan being improperly awarded to a Scott Walker campaign donor.

The committee took action to remove Gov. Walker as Chair of the WEDC Board, rejected $55 million in additional funding for WEDC and voted down the Governor’s proposal to merge WEDC with the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority.

There was bi-partisan support for the WEDC restructuring proposals, with efforts by minority-party Democrats to push for additional changes being rejected on a 12-4 party-line vote.

jennifer-shillingSenate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) released the following statement in response to this latest development:

“It is becoming increasingly clear that Gov. Walker is unable to manage his responsibilities as governor as he continues to travel across the nation pursuing his presidential ambitions. While it’s encouraging that Republicans in the State Legislature have removed Gov. Walker from his position as Chairman of the WEDC Board, they have yet to present a plan to correct the ongoing waste, fraud and abuse at this troubled agency. After four years of scandals and scathing audits, it is clear that we need greater public oversight to put an end to the corruption and mismanagement at Gov. Walker’s WEDC.”