Budget proposal broadens power to sell property

MADISON (AP) - A legislative fiscal analysis says state administrators would have broader power to sell or lease state-owned property under Gov. Scott Walker's proposed budget.

The Legislative Fiscal Bureau says the Department of Administration could sell the properties without the approval of the agency which has jurisdiction over them. A sale would be subject to approval from the Building Commission, which is headed by the governor.

Walker spokesman Cullen Werwie tells the State Journal the governor wants to explore the possibility of selling unused land or state-owned power plants. Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca says Walker's proposal is too broad and is inappropriate for the budget. He says if the proposal is to explore the sale of power plants, then the language should be more specific.