Contact: Matt Adamczyk, Wisconsin State Treasurer
(608) 266-1714
Madison, Wisconsin – State Treasurer Matt Adamczyk released the following statement regarding passage of AB 205, a bill requiring more oversight for state agency leases.
“AB 205 will save taxpayers money in the future. The bill allows for more transparency regarding state leases. In the past, Wisconsin taxpayers have been on the hook for expensive leases with little to no oversight by the Wisconsin Legislature.”
This common-sense legislation authored by Rep. Rob Hutton and Sen. Chris Kapenga requires state leases with annual rent over $500,000 to be shared in advance with the Legislature before approved by DOA.
I truly thank these conservative legislators for working to stop long term leases that are not in the best interests of the taxpayer. I also want to thank Senator Fitzgerald and Speaker Vos for bringing AB 205 up for a vote in the state Senate and state Assembly. I am very pleased that it passed both chambers and now heads to Governor Walker for his approval.
Since taking office, I have worked with numerous legislators and Governor Walker’s Administration to improve state facility leasing issues. This bill is certainly a step in the right direction. If this bill was law back in 2010, Governor Doyle would not have been able to saddle the taxpayers on a $5.5 million annual lease for the DOC building worth maybe that much. The state should not pay in rent per year what a building is worth. This bill will stop that from happening in the future.”
###
