The Wisconsin Department of Administration has spent nearly $2 million operating two state offices that have since 2019 been denied funding by the Legislature.

Gov. Tony Evers created the Office of Environmental Justice and the Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy with two executive orders, funding them with money earmarked for other purposes within the DOA, according to documents obtained by the Badger Institute.

DOA officials failed to notify the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance of funding for the offices, as required when such funding shifts exceed $2,000, according to state statutes.

The Department of Administration has been open about the operation and mission of the office of Sustainability and Clean Energy. The Office of Environmental Justice, however, in its operation and funding, has operated in the shadows. The office has no website. DOA made no public announcement that it had hired former Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg to run the office.

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