Gov. Evers Asks for Nearly $2.4B in Wisconsin Capital Budget | Columbus Ohio Dump Trucks

Gov. cites historically low interest rates as reason to borrow for state projects

Evers’ capital budget plan was unveiled on Feb. 22. Lawmakers also will be considering a $91 million state budget, which Evers proposed on Feb. 16, and which is already garnering opposition from Republicans who don’t like his proposal to generate sales tax revenues through the legalization of marijuana

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R) has called legalizing cannabis a “poisoned pill” to include in the budget and predicts that it has no chance of passing, according to news reports.

In the last budget submitted by Evers, in June 2019, Republicans on the budget committee voted to spend $1.9 billion on building projects, which was $600 million less than the $2.5 billion Evers had sought.

The state budget is the one bill that must be signed into law. No money can be expended without first being appropriated in the budget, with a few exceptions, according to Wisconsin law.

Evers’ proposed capital budget would take advantage of historically low bond rates, according to a statement released by Evers’ office, and would invest in capital projects to ensure their longevity and public safety.

“It's about our priorities—from investing in sustainable energy options and protecting our public lands, to supporting the growth of our UW campuses and students, to reforming our juvenile justice system, to investing in dump trucks columbus oh community development, this capital budget will have a far-reaching impact on our communities and our state for generations to come,” Evers said in a statement.

The 268-page proposed budget highlights projects proposed in 31 of the state’s 72 counties.

In addition to higher education, it covers such areas as correctional and health services facilities, veteran care, natural resources management and energy conservation statewide.

A prominent proposed project is a new $163-million state office building to be constructed at 27th and Wisconsin streets on the west side of Milwaukee. The project would consolidate state agency functions under one roof and include a parking structure.  

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett (D) said the proposed project will promote economic growth.

“The project will positively affect not only the immediate neighborhood but also the surrounding areas up and down Wisconsin Avenue and 27th Street,” Barrett said in a statement.

The budget also tags $4 million to begin preliminary designs for the redevelopment of a block in downtown Madison near the Capitol for a new office building that is currently occupied by the Department of Workforce Development. The Wisconsin Historical Society Museum would also relocate to the site.

Evers’ recommendations include 28 projects for the University of Wisconsin System. These include:

-Construction of an $88 million, five-story building at Park and Johnson streets on the UW-Madison campus that would contain the history department and ethnic studies offices, along with other programs in the College of Letters & Science.

-A $150 million demolition and replacement of an 88-year-old engineering research building on the U-W Madison campus.

-A $26 million renovation of the Music Hall at UW-Madison, along with $59 million for the renovation of Winther Hall, and roof and exterior window replacement at Heide Hall, both at UW-Whitewater

-$7 million to begin planning for a project at UW-Platteville, renovating Ottensman Hall while demolishing a faculty office tower and four former student residence halls.

In regard to infrastructure improvements for the University of Wisconsin system, State Senate Minority Leader Janet Bewley (D) said, "the University of Wisconsin System has been cut tremendously and with a tuition freeze and recent cuts, they haven't had the resources they need."

Bewley was referring to cuts that happened during Gov. Evers’ predecessor, former Gov. Scott Walker (R).

Each project listed in the budget proposal contains a justification for why the project is needed. In the case of the Music Hall, the report notes that an exterior wall collapse led to an analysis of the building’s entire exterior, which determined in 2017 that a combination of weather, age and well-intended but damaging repairs had taken a toll on the 137-year-old structure.

“Damage is significant and needs to be addressed immediately before further catastrophic failure occurs,” the budget document states.

Other proposed projects that would aid juveniles include construction of a new $46-million juvenile facility in Milwaukee County, and $2.5 million mental health facility at the Oshkosh Correctional Institution.

The plan also calls for a new $24-million National Guard Readiness Center in Viroqua, and proposed renovations to veterans’ homes and veterans’ cemeteries statewide.

The plan calls for $4 million to replace the toilet/shower building and vault toilets at Lake Wissota State Park and about $1.5 million to repair and restore the Historic Boat House exterior at Rock Island State Park.

The next step is for the State Building Commission, which is chaired by Evers, to vote on the proposed budget, which is scheduled for March 17. The commission recommendation would them be submitted to the Joint Committee on Finance by April 1.

Republicans on the State Building Commission in 2019 rejected every project in Evers’ capital budget.  

State Senator Andre Jacque (R, first district) who serves on the building commission said he hasn't had time to review the budget yet.