MADISON – After years of scandals at Gov. Walker’s Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), a new investigative report by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel revealed Thursday that the troubled agency exceeded its authority and improperly awarded more than $21 million in taxpayer funding to businesses and Gov. Walker campaign contributors.

In light of this latest report, Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) demanded immediate Republican action to reign in this rogue agency:

“Four and a half years of failure and corruption is enough. Republicans can’t continue to turn a blind eye while their unaccountable WEDC cheats hardworking taxpayers out of millions of dollars. With a shrinking middle class, declining family wages and Wisconsin layoffs at a five-year high, it’s time to restore accountability and put an end to the WEDC’s history of corruption.”

Democrats have put forward numerous proposals to reign in the WEDC, increase accountability and improve economic development. Sen. Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) and Rep. Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) have authored legislation to overhaul the WEDC and improve taxpayer transparency. Additionally, Sen. Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) and Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point) have authored legislation to crack down on fraud and corruption at the WEDC.

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Legislative Staffer Tony Palese contributed to this story.