State Audit Questions Accuracy, Completeness Of WEDC Jobs Data

Remember this section - - along with other questions about WEDC spending posted on this blog earlier today - - from pps. 56-57 of the audit when Walker and his allies say they are creating jobs. The operative language from the state auditors is: 
..."it is difficult to assess the accuracy and completeness of the number of jobs that WEDC reported having been created or retained."

....P. 56 

As noted, information provided by WEDC indicates that WEDC received only 45.0 percent of the contractually required progress reports that specify the numbers of jobs created and retained, some files did not document that the claimed numbers of jobs were actually created or retained, and WEDC did not verify any of the performance measure information submitted by grant and loan recipients. 

As a result, it is difficult to assess the accuracy and completeness of the number of jobs that WEDC reported having been created or retained. 

Other program results that WEDC has provided the Legislature and the public do not indicate the numbers of jobs actually created or retained.

WEDC’s 2013-15 biennial budget request and FY 2012-13 operations plan indicate that awards WEDC made in FY 2011-12 have resulted in 37,000 “anticipated jobs.” 

WEDC explained to us that this jobs number includes the combined total number of jobs that would be created or retained if all FY 2011-12 award recipients were to completely fulfill their contractual obligations to create and It is difficult to assess the accuracy and completeness of the number of jobs that WEDC reported having been created or retained.

PROGRAM RESULTS AND

ACCOUNTABILITY

p. 57

....In addition, this jobs number includes the combined total number of jobs that could potentially be created or retained if in the future WEDC were to execute contracts with businesses and other organizations to which it has made only preliminary offers of financial awards.

We also note that this jobs number appears to duplicate 3,500 jobs that, if unduplicated, results in a revised total of 33,500 jobs.