Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) forecast Tuesday the Assembly to end its session in February, meaning some major bills would get taken up while others would be left on the wayside. Credit: Journal Sentinel files

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Madison — Assembly Speaker Robin Vos on Tuesday backed off from his idea of rebranding the state's economic development office, but said he is still considering injecting more money into the agency.

Last month, the Rochester Republican said he wanted to "figure out a new model" for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., saying its brand had been damaged by a string of news accounts about difficulties at the 4-year-old agency.

But in an interview Tuesday he said he'd discarded the idea of rebranding the economic development corporation after talking with officials at the agency and at the local level.

"They don't want rebranding because they think WEDC's brand is OK," Vos said.

He said lawmakers may give more money to the agency to try to boost job creation, but downplayed the possibility of significant legislative reforms, saying many changes have already been made.

"I don't want to pass a bill just to pass a bill," he said.

Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha), who sits on WEDC's board, expressed frustration that Vos was changing course after saying seven weeks ago he wanted to work with Democrats to find ways to revitalize the agency.

"It's absolutely startling that after the speaker's many critical remarks he now believes that throwing more money at WEDC will solve its many challenges," Barca said in a statement. "Democrats continue to believe that changing the organizational structure is the only way to bring true effectiveness to WEDC and accountability for taxpayers."

Lawmakers in 2011 created the agency to replace the state Department of Commerce at the behest of GOP Gov. Scott Walker. It was designed to make the state more nimble in responding to the needs of business.

The agency has been beset with problems. Troubled businesses have gotten taxpayer-funded incentives, and top officials at WEDC have steadily left the agency.

Faced with those problems, GOP lawmakers in July cut $46 million from WEDC over two years, slashing its budget by 41.5%, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau.

Top lawmakers last month said they may restore some of that funding, and Vos reiterated that on Tuesday. He said he'd like to make funds available to county or regional economic development organizations that could be used for revolving loans.

Sens. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) and Rick Gudex (R-Fond du Lac) recently announced a proposal to provide such funding, but have not released full details. Vos said their plan would cost about $10 million.

Vos made his comments as lawmakers gear up for a final burst of activity before turning their attention full time to campaigning.

Both houses are controlled by Republicans, and Vos said he expects the Assembly to end its session in February. That would mean some major bills would get taken up, while others would be left on the wayside.

Minimum markup. Legislation ending a ban on selling products below cost has not caught widespread support and is unlikely to pass, Vos said. He said he favors ending the minimum markup law.

Campus carry. Vos said he supports a bill allowing students and others to carry firearms on college campuses, but did not see enough support for the proposal to pass this session.

Fetal tissue. Legislation that would ban research on tissue from aborted fetuses has been stalled for months. Vos said he thought it would be modified to prevent Planned Parenthood and other organizations from receiving payments for providing that tissue. Profiting from the sale of such tissue is already banned, but donors can be reimbursed for the cost of making tissue donations. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin has said it does not donate tissue from its clinics.

Opiates. Vos said the Assembly would soon take up legislation by Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette) that would require doctors to check a statewide database before prescribing narcotics and other addictive drugs in an effort to fight the abuse of opiates and heroin.

Alzheimer's and dementia. Vos said he expects a task force to complete its work soon so lawmakers can take up legislation that would provide more money for caring for those with Alzheimer's and educate families about how to cope with the memory-impairing disease.