The Best Governor Money Can Buy
One Wisconsin Now found that 60 percent of the money awarded by WEDC went to companies that donated $2.1 million to Walker. [Urban Milwaukee]
WEDC
Walker Administration Keeps Details of Foxconn Deal Secret as Agency Entrusted With Overseeing Deal Subject of Another Critical Review
Another audit finds Gov. Scott Walker’s WEDC continues to fail to meet even basic standards of accountability and competence.
As Scott Walker reaches 50 listening sessions, critics continue to question invite-only policy
"Gov. Walker is tooling around the state on our dime hearing from an exclusive audience recruited to tell him what he wants to hear," said One Wisconsin Now. [Capital Times]
Media Reports Walker Plot to Impose ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Gag Order on Board of Troubled Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Scott Walker and his gang are trying to implement a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell policy’ to gag board members and to try to cover up their failures.
Privatization Fail: Scott Walker’s WEDC in Full Meltdown
"This new audit confirms that WEDC is the embodiment of the cronyism, corruption and incompetence of the Walker administration,” One Wisconsin Now’s Scot Ross told CMD. [Center for Media and Democracy]
State Big Business Lobby Discouraged State Economic Development Agency From Trying to Keep Major Corporation in Wisconsin … And Gov. Walker’s Administration Listened
It is appalling that Gov. Scott Walker’s WEDC would not do their job because a special interest lobby told them not to.
Senate Republican Session Agenda: More Cronyism and Corruption, Less Health Care
Wisconsin would be ill-served by more of the Walker administration’s cronyism and corruption and less access to comprehensive health care services for families.
Walker administration won’t explain what happened to WEDC text messages
Jenni Dye, research director for One Wisconsin Now, said she doesn’t believe the police logs meet the definition of “transitory” records. [Capital Times]
Spurning Wisconsin offer, Ashley Furniture Industries takes jobs and safety issues to N.C.
“Pay-to-play certainly comes to my mind and I know I’m not alone,” said Scot Ross, executive director of the progressive group One Wisconsin Now. [Wisconsin Gazette]
Scott Walker says he’ll be a stay-at-home governor
State employees lost civil service protections when WEDC was created, and it has been plagued with cronyism, corruption and incompetence ever since. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]
Rearranging the Deck Chairs Won’t Save Gov. Walker’s Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
The centerpiece of Scott Walker’s economic agenda has been a prime example of his administration’s cronyism, corruption and incompetence. Now it's looking for yet another new head.
Scott Walker, Crony Capitalist
A report by One Wisconsin Now found that since 2009 the governor’s campaign organization had received more than $2.1 million from individuals linked to WEDC awards. [Politico]
Scott Walker Is Two-Faced on China
“In his desperate attempt to out-Trump Trump, Scott Walker has out-Palined Palin.” [Daily Beast]
Lawmakers Continue to Tinker with Walker’s Job Creation Agency
There is a lot of money being spent through this agency to try to create a lot of jobs in Wisconsin, and it has been a complete and utter failure. [WUWM-FM]
Column: Sen. Rick Gudex reveals himself as politician, not leader
Gudex and his fellow Republicans need to remember they’re supposed to be working for us, not covering Walker’s backside, and resist the temptation to allow partisanship to overcome common sense. [Capital Times]
Sen. Rick Gudex Reveals Himself as a Politician, Not a Leader
Sen. Gudex and his fellow Republicans need to remember they’re supposed to be working for us, not covering Scott Walker’s backside, and resist the temptation to allow partisanship to overcome common sense.
ICYMI: One Wisconsin Institute Report Details Continuing Failures of Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Updated research by One Wisconsin Institute analyzes four years of failure by the quasi-private Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, created by Gov. Scott Walker and supported by state legislative Republicans.
The Reality of Scott Walker’s Record on the Economy & the Middle Class
Scott Walker’s signature promise was to create 250,000 jobs in Wisconsin in his first term. He fell nearly 50% short of that goal, an abysmal failure at the one major promise he made to voters.
Report alleges Scott Walker’s WEDC has failed, WEDC says it’s improving
The report from One Wisconsin Institute, the research arm of One Wisconsin Now, shows close ties between donors to Walker's campaigns and recipients of awards from WEDC — the quasi-public agency Walker launched to replace the state Department of Commerce shortly after he took office in 2011. [Capital Times]
WEDC Record in Wis. Has Been a Scandal-Wracked Failure
Much of the cash flowed to Walker’s political allies. According to a new report by the left-leaning One Wisconsin Institute, 60 percent of the $1.14 billion given out by the WEDC went to firms connected to Walker’s campaign contributors—that includes more than $2.1 million those donors have given Walker’s election campaigns directly. [In These Times]
Wisconsin’s Economic Cautionary Tale
According to a new report by the left-leaning One Wisconsin Institute, 60 percent of the $1.14 billion given out by the WEDC went to firms connected to Walker’s campaign contributors — that includes more than $2.1 million those donors have given Walker’s election campaigns directly. [San Francisco Chronicle]
Invitation Accepted, Governor Walker
While we are often at odds with Walker, on this we can agree: He most certainly should be evaluated by the company he keeps and his record in office.
New Research: WEDC is Four Years of Failure
A report released today by One Wisconsin Institute analyzes four years of failure by the quasi-private Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), created by Gov. Scott Walker.
WEDC: Four Years of Failure
Time has proven WEDC to be an abject failure at job creation, and, some argue, a symbol of the cronyism, corruption, and incompetence of the Scott Walker administration.
Wisconsin swindled by Scott Walker’s jobs scam
What is more, the amount of cash available for the WEDC to carelessly dispense has grown. By the end of 2013, the state had awarded over $970 million in tax credits, loans and grants, according to the watchdog group One Wisconsin Now. [Al Jazeera]
Scott Walker’s Jobs Program Didn’t Work
The bottom line is that Scott Walker said when he came into office, this is my blueprint for making good on my promise to create 250,000 jobs. [Daily Beast]
Jobs & the Economy
Scott Walker’s signature promise was to create 250,000 jobs in Wisconsin in his first term. He fell nearly 50% short of that goal.
Gov. Scott Walker taking heat from both right and left over WEDC
Meanwhile, one of the governor’s loudest critics on the left, Scot Ross of One Wisconsin Now, is saying there will be no improvement at WEDC unless politics can be taken out of the equation. [Capital Times]
Final Numbers Show Gov. Walker Fell Nearly 50 Percent Short on First Term Jobs Promise
The final jobs numbers from the federal government covering the first term of Gov. Scott Walker released today confirm the utter failure of his administration to deliver on his job creation promise.
Gudex Needs to Get Serious About WEDC’s Continuing Cronyism, Corruption, Incompetence
Sen. Rick Gudex's chief of staff called requests for an investigation of the latest instance of WEDC cronyism, corruption and incompetence a “knee-jerk reaction.”
Transparency and Gov. Walker’s Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Don’t Go Together
Gov. Walker is in the hot seat over revelations that his top aides successfully lobbied for a risky state loan to the business of a major Walker campaign donor through WEDC.
Watchdog groups have long warned against WEDC practices
Last year, a report from One Wisconsin Now cited figures showing that nearly 60 percent of some $975 million in assistance distributed by WEDC went to firms that had contributed to Walker or the RGA. [La Crosse Tribune]
Privatization Fail: Scott Walker’s WEDC in Full Meltdown
This new audit confirms that WEDC is the embodiment of the cronyism, corruption and incompetence of the Walker administration. [PR Watch]
Gov. Scott Walker’s Economic Development Agency Under the Microscope
Walker has come under scrutiny by media for a $62 million-plus award of state funds to the retail outlet Kohl's doled out under his watch as chair WEDC.
Wisconsin Walker’s shopping tale doesn’t mention taxpayer millions
“If you look at the Walker record, it has been cuts to infrastructure like public education to fund a trickle-down economic agenda that hasn’t worked,” said Mike Browne, deputy executive director of One Wisconsin Now. [Bloomberg News]
Scott Walker opponents question his WEDC role after Menard report
"It’s so bad that after almost four years, every time WEDC comes out of his mouth, you know an excuse is on its way." [Capital Times]
ICYMI: WEDC Funds Have Consistently Gone to Businesses of Gov. Walker’s Political Boosters Since Agency Inception
The synergy between Gov. Scott Walker’s Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and his political fortunes is making headlines again.
Report: John Menard gave $1.5 million to conservative group tied to Scott Walker
Is Walker going to get away with telling people that he has nothing to do with the allocation of WEDC dollars? [Associated Press]
Gov. Walker Refuses to Help Student Loan Borrowers As His WEDC Lets Businesses That Owe Millions to State Off the Hook
Gov. Scott Walker has steadfastly refused to support a common sense state plan to allow students loan refinancing, just like you can a mortgage.
Walker: Where Have We Heard That Before?
In his first term in office Gov. Scott Walker signed at least nineteen bills or budget provisions into law that were drawn from corporate bill factory ALEC.
Gov. Walker Can’t Dispute Facts of One Wisconsin Now WEDC Report
The increasingly desperate campaign of Gov. Scott Walker hastily convened a press conference yesterday to dispute the undeniable facts that his policies and administration have been an utter failure on job creation.
Latest Finance Report Shows Walker Took Another $167,000 from Businesses That Got WEDC Funds
A review of Gov. Scott Walker’s most recent campaign finance report reveals he continues to reap a windfall of campaign donations, nearly $167,000 in just the last six months, from individuals associated with state businesses getting tax breaks, loans and grants through his WEDC.
Gov. Walker’s WEDC Secrecy Is ‘Arrogance’
Gov. Walker has failed to create the jobs he promised us and given WEDC's incompetence, the public needs to know more than ever the way Gov. Walker is spending our money.
Gov. Walker’s Campaign Launches Political Attack on a Successful International Corporation Based in Wisconsin that Provides 1,000 Jobs
In his latest negative television ad, Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign attacks Trek Bicycles - an international company, headquartered in Wisconsin and employing 1,000 state residents.
Gov. Walker’s WEDC Doubles Down on Sending State Tax Dollars to Businesses Shipping Wisconsin Jobs Overseas
Walker’s WEDC responded to news reports revealing how they sent millions in tax credits to businesses that cut Wisconsin jobs and shipped work overseas by declaring they’ll do it again.
Walker Television Attack Ignores Corruption, Cronyism, Incompetence of His Privatized Commerce Department
Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign today announced a new negative television blitz against former Wisconsin Commerce Secretary and business leader Mary Burke.
Wisconsin needs to make small business a priority
As a report by One Wisconsin Now detailed last month, 60 percent of WEDC economic development funds went to only 30 percent of businesses receiving assistance. [Julie Lassa]
One Wisconsin Now says WEDC money going to Scott Walker donors like Edgewater developers
A liberal advocacy group is leveling heavy criticism at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, claiming the quasi-private agency championed by Gov. Scott Walker is delivering financial assistance to campaign donors. [Capital Times]
Who is the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Working For?
The report found that owners or employees of 30 percent of businesses receiving WEDC assistance contributed to Gov. Walker's campaign or the RGA. Meanwhile these same businesses received almost 60 percent of WEDC economic development funds - $570 million in total.
Targeted benefits for businesses: Job creation or corporate welfare?
Last year, a report from the liberal group One Wisconsin Now noted that executives at companies receiving subsidies from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation had contributed $429,060 to Gov. Scott Walker. [Capital Times]