MADISON, WI (OnFocus) – State Senator Cory Tomczyk (R-Mosinee) is calling for full transparency from Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) regarding a taxpayer-funded trade mission to Europe that reportedly cost $160,000.
According to public records cited by Tomczyk’s office, the trip—taken by Gov. Evers and former WEDC CEO Missy Hughes—included travel to Germany and France, featuring VIP airport services, chauffeurs, and an expensive welcome dinner. The senator described the expenses as “luxury travel on the public dime” and questioned the economic value of the mission.
“The Governor claims to be worried about kids going hungry, but based off his dinner tab, he could not care less,” Tomczyk stated in a news release. “This was not economic development; it was luxury travel.”
Tomczyk criticized what he called a lack of transparency surrounding the trip’s purpose and outcomes. He said his office and others have repeatedly requested documentation since April detailing meetings, agreements, or tangible results from the trade mission, but have not received a clear accounting.
“There is no list of meetings that led to signed agreements, no commitments for new jobs or investment, and no proof that this travel delivered measurable results,” he said.
The senator is demanding immediate disclosure of all records related to the trip, including costs, outcomes, and decision-making documents. He also asked the administration to explain why releasing routine travel records has taken months.
Tomczyk said trade missions should “deliver jobs and investment—not photo ops and VIP treatment.”
The Evers administration and WEDC have not yet publicly responded to the senator’s remarks or provided a detailed accounting of the trip’s expenses and outcomes.
Author: News Desk
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