Vote soon on how to use $35 M. surplus

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Legislature’s budget committee is considering what to do with a $35 million surplus generated by the state jobs agency.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is asking permission to spend $18.4 million, but the move is sure to generate opposition from Democrats who have been critical of the agency since its creation in 2011.

The Joint Finance Committee was taking up the issue Wednesday.

The committee has $63 million set aside in the budget it can release to WEDC. The agency is only asking for $44.7 million of that, with another $18.4 million coming from reserves it has built up.

Last week WEDC unveiled a new advertising campaign that targets businesses in Minnesota and Illinois.