MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – The two legislative Democrats on the board of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation have called on their CEO to resign.
Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca and Senate Democrat Julie Lassa of Stevens Point said Reed Hall has not been totally forthcoming about tax funded loans given to companies without reviews by staff underwriters.
Late last Friday, WEDC released 1,000 pages of documents showing that the agency gave $124 million to firms without the staff’s review — and that was before Hall got there in late 2012.
Barca and Lassa said the agency was not diligent in releasing everything. They said they’re kept in the dark about things which are going on, and they learn about problems only in media investigations or legislative audits — two of which have been very critical of WEDC and its accountability.
Barca said it’s clear that the state cannot get to the bottom of problems and protect taxpayers if Hall — a retired Marshfield Clinic executive director — stays on.
The WEDC did not immediately comment on the lawmakers’ comments.
Governor Walker’s spokeswoman, Laurel Patrick, tells the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel it’s unfortunate the two Democrats are “playing politics” instead of working together to help spur economic growth.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
