That’s why Gov. Scott Walker wants to turn the state Commerce Department into a public-private corporation with private-sector leadership and “private-sector jobs” paid with $82 million from the public.
Doesn’t that concept sound familiar?
It should.
In fact, Wisconsin had tried to create this sort of public-private business-boosting entity once before: Forward Wisconsin, which was created in 1984 to recruit businesses to the state. That lasted until 2007 and had a dubious record of accomplishments, when the Department of Commerce finally took it over.
What’s fascinating about Forward Wisconsin is that, according to a new study by Good Jobs First, business executives stated that the agency didn’t affect their decision to invest in the state. Nor was it free of scandal. Then-Gov. Scott McCallum had to pay a $500 fine because he’d used a boat provided by Mercury Marine in 2001.
Forward Wisconsin’s experience is typical of these public-private business agencies, the study found. Similar agencies in other states have been found to mishandle taxpayer funds, provide perks to spouses, grant huge bonuses to executives that are more in line with private-sector compensation than state employee pay, have conflicts of interest and award subsidies that don’t hold up to scrutiny.
Walker has provided few details about his new Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC). We do know that the board would be unaccountable to the public, would have unlimited bonding authority and would pay Commerce Secretary Paul Jadin for his work at the same time he’s drawing a state salary. We think the voters deserve more information about how Walker plans to invest taxpayer money in private businesses.
“I cannot imagine that taxpayers who have protested loudly against government bailouts, such as the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), will want to see their state government giving unelected leaders, each with their own business interests, unaccountable, free reign over an $82 million blank check,” Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) said in a statement.
We agree. Any entity that uses taxpayer money must be transparent, accountable to the public and have a clear mission statement. Walker’s WEDC is lacking on all of those elements.
Heroes of the Week
St. Aemilian-Lakeside Treatment Foster
Parents
Foster
parenting is one of the most challenging and rewarding activities a couple or
individual can ever undertake, especially for treatment foster parents, who
open their lives and homes to children with emotional, behavioral or
developmental challenges.
Since 1850,
St. Aemilian-Lakeside (8901 W. Capitol Drive) has provided a multitude of
programs to meet the needs of families and children. The staff of professional
social workers at St. Aemilian carefully screens, trains and supports
individuals willing to provide a nurturing home environment for children in
need.
While St.
Aemilian is always eager to hear from prospective foster parents, there is also
a need for those who wish to mentor or tutor area youth experiencing difficult
times. To learn more about how you can volunteer to make a positive difference
in the community, call St. Aemilian-Lakeside at 414-463-1880 or visit
www.st-al.org.
Jerk of the Week
WISN-AM 1130’s
Mark Belling
Looks like someone’s feeling lonely and more and more
irrelevant. Conservative radio talker Mark Belling typically resorts to ethnic
slurs when he needs to pump up his ratings and feel important. Belling was at
it again last week, this time about the proposed Marriott in downtown
Milwaukee. Belling claimed that Jews were behind the opposition to the proposed
hotel development, then immediately retreated from his comments, saying, “The
fact that the majority of them are Jewish may be neither here nor there.”
Belling knows exactly what he’s doing—he lashes out at his target in the most
outrageous way to drive up his ratings, and then plays the victim when he gets
called out on it. We’re not buying it.
*/?>
What was the ethnic slur or slurs that Belling used in this instance? It wasn't included in the quote you provided.
There was no ethnic slur. The quote that these "journalists" published was the beginning and end of the comments relating to religion. He did not "claim that Jews were behind the opposition ot the proposed hotel development" and then retreat from his comment. He said, referring to the Marcus' and Franklin Gimbel, "The fact that the majority of them are Jewish may be neither here nor there." So, the Shepherd is lying, flat out. The champion of friendly, happy speech has no comment on the hateful crap that came out of NPR last week, but, apparently, referring to Jewish people as Jewish is now "lashing out". What a load of crap. Who is irrelevant? Can't even believe I waste my time on this garbage- need to stick to the A&E section.
I'm sure Belling felt pretty lonely broadcasting to millions of listeners on 600 hundred or so stations when he filled in for Rush Limbaugh last month. And also completely irrelevant as he continues to dominate local afternoon drive. It's too bad that he was "at it again", resorting to "ethnic slurs." Oh that's right, he wasn't. Why must you resort to lying? Well, even so, what he said was completely "outrageous." Oh wait, no it wasn't that either. Is there anything more tiresome and redundant than this awful column? "News in review"? Hilarious. Call it what is- "Petty Grudge" perhaps would be more fitting. Belling, Sykes, McIlheran...we get it, you hate them. At least stop it with the flat out lies.
It's weird that they do not mention another public private partnership that the state has under the department of children and families; the partnership between the agencies that run child welfare in Milwaukee. This partnership has been working in Milwaukee for some time now and seems to have improved the outcomes of children and families in Milwaukee, compared to where it was when they started this partnership. Some times the nice thing about things being private is that if people or policies are not working well it does not take an election, or legislation to make a common scenes change, leaders in that department can make a change to address any problems more quickly. Ironically St. A's is one of those agencies that benefit form this partnership.
I'm stunned at the scandal the found "Then-Gov. Scott McCallum had to pay a $500 fine because he’d used a boat provided by Mercury Marine in 2001." Nothing inflames the taxpayers like seeing elected officials on not spending taxpayer money on boat trips.