MADISON — The push to overhaul Wisconsin's beleaguered economic development agency is growing.
Democrats on Thursday proposed making it a felony for companies that receive state tax breaks and commit fraud. And Republican lawmakers are saying they are open to working with Democrats on changes to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.
The agency, known as WEDC, has been beset with problems since Gov. Scott Walker and the Republican Legislature created it in 2011.
Just last week three WEDC vice presidents they were departing. Also last week, the agency fielded questions about why it didn't know more about Kraft Heinz's decision to close the Oscar Mayer plant in Madison.
Democratic state Rep. Chris Taylor says the agency needs to be disbanded, but she's open to having serious talks with Republicans about changes.