GOP bill would place inspectors in Wisconsin state agencies

MADISON — Republican legislators are pushing a bill that would assign inspectors general to more than a dozen state agencies, a move that could cost the state hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Under Representative David Craig and Senator Stephen Nass' measure, the Legislature would appoint 13 inspector generals to serve six year terms covering 16 agencies. The inspectors general would be charged with investigating fraud, waste and abuse within their assigned agencies. If they uncover criminal activity they would have to report to the state Department of Justice. If they find evidence of waste or abuse they would have to report it to the Legislature.

According to fiscal estimates attached to the bill, agencies have reported inspector generals could cost them tens of thousands of dollars annually in salaries and supplies.