Governor Scott Walker is in Mexico on a trade mission which his administration says will stimulate Wisconsin's economy.
“We want to attract new investment from Mexico into Wisconsin, while also encouraging Mexican companies with a presence in Wisconsin to maintain or expand their investments in the state,” Walker said.
Gov. Walker along with several other Wisconsin officials have met with Mexican government agencies and business leaders.
According to Gov. Walker, Wisconsin’s exports to Mexico grew by nearly five percent from 2014 to 2015. During the same time period, overall U.S. exports to Mexico declined by more than 1.5 percent.
“It is clear Mexico recognizes the importance of Wisconsin in its overall international investments,” Gov. Walker said.
“These trade missions are crucial to continue discussing the needs of Mexico’s and Wisconsin’s economies and identify opportunities on how we can work together in the future,” Gov. Walker added.
Walker has also conducted trade missions to the UK, France, Spain, Germany, and Canada.
Walker’s travel expenses have previously come under fire after he used nearly $150,000 of taxpayer dollars to pay for international travel expenses flights, hotels, transportation, parking, telecommunications, hospitality gifts, networking events, and meals.
During just the first half of 2015, Walker spent an additional $125,000 of taxpayer money on his security detail for his international travel. Gov. Walker has promised to repay taxpayers for the full amount. It's unknown at this time how much of that has been repaid. TODAY'S TMJ4 reached out to the governor's office on Monday, but did not receive a response.
The Walker administration previously defended the travel expenses, and said the money was an investment in stimulating Wisconsin’s economy.
Further, the administration said the state secured several million dollar contracts from the travel.
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