WEDC audit raises questions

 

MADISON (CBS 58) -- A new report is questioning how the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is using tax payer dollars.

The WEDC is supposed to help create jobs in Wisconsin by attracting businesses to the state using things like tax incentives. 

One example includes the WEDC giving more than $460,000 in job-creating tax credits to an unnamed company that actually lost 17 jobs.

"It's a little frustrating that over the whole lifespan of WEDC, I would hope that they would want to get past some of these errors and try to get a better reputation about how they're using taxpayers' dollars. And that's the frustrating part, that they just don't seem to get it," said Sen. Tim Carpenter (D) Milwaukee.

The legislature's audit committee says they'll review recommendations and create an action plan to address them.

In a statement responding to the report, Secretary and CEO of WEDC Mark Hogan says the organization is committed to transparency, accountability, and operational excellence.