The Latest: Senator thinks WEDC trying to protect taxpayers

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - The Latest on Foxconn contract (all times local):

2:30 p.m.

A Democratic legislator on the state’s economic development board says he believes the agency is working to better protect taxpayers in an incentives contract with Foxconn Technology Group.

Sen. Tim Carpenter sits on the board of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, which has been negotiating a contract to implement $3 billion in state incentives for a Foxconn flat-screen plant in Mount Pleasant.

The board delayed a vote on the contract last month after WEDC officials alerted board members of an unspecified problem. Carpenter said then that questions were raised about whether taxpayer funds could be exposed if Foxconn doesn’t fulfill the deal but didn’t elaborate.

Carpenter first said Tuesday that he was reviewing the contract language and he thought it looked as if it had been revised to “defuse the nuclear bomb.” He later clarified that he hasn’t had time to read the language closely and WEDC officials are still changing the terms. He said he believes they’re attempting to better protect taxpayers.

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1:15 p.m.

Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says state economic development officials are continuing to make changes to a $3 billion contract with display screen manufacturer Foxconn Technology Group to get the best possible deal for taxpayers.

Vos commented on the Foxconn deal Tuesday, a day after the contract was distributed to members of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. The board was set to vote on terms of the deal Wednesday, and Gov. Scott Walker has said the contract should be signed by the end of the week.

WEDC board member Democratic Sen. Tim Carpenter said Tuesday the latest version of the contract will protect taxpayers.

Vos says he supports keeping the details of the contract secret and trusts that the board will negotiate the best possible deal.

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11:41 a.m.

A Democratic legislator on the state’s economic development board says he’s now satisfied that taxpayers are protected in an incentives contract with Foxconn Technology Group.

Sen. Tim Carpenter sits on the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, which has been negotiating a contract to implement $3 billion in state incentives for a Foxconn flat-screen plant in Mount Pleasant.

The board delayed a vote on the contract last month after WEDC officials alerted board members of an unspecified problem. Carpenter warned that taxpayer funds could be exposed if Foxconn doesn’t fulfill the deal.

Carpenter says now he’s seen the contract and the language has been revised to “defuse the nuclear bomb.” It’s expected to get approval in a vote Wednesday.