Wisconsin Legislative Audit Finds Waste in 2 COVID Grant Programs

The nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau (LAB) released a limited review (pdf) of two programs that used supplemental federal funding intended to assist Wisconsin businesses that were negatively affected due to forced COVID lockdowns.
The Department of Revenue (DOR) awarded $595.9 million in grants to businesses grants through its “We’re All In” and “Wisconsin Tomorrow” programs. These were supported by supplemental federal funds provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
The report confirmed that the state handed out money to ineligible businesses.
The Audit Bureau also reviewed 87 “We’re All In” program grants totaling $805,000 and found 25 ineligible grants. Twenty out of 85 “Wisconsin Tomorrow” grants that were also reviewed were found to be ineligible….}