Evers’ capital budget calls for $4.1B in building projects

Gov. Tony Evers unveiled a capital budget Monday that calls for $4.1 billion in new building projects around the state, with the largest chunk going toward Universities of Wisconsin campuses.

The state would borrow more than $3.8 billion to pay for the overall capital budget, which needs approval from the Legislature. The plan would also pay for material aspects of Evers’ sweeping prison restructuring proposal, and put $1.2 billion toward maintenance projects across state agencies.  

In a statement, Evers said the plan was necessary to address infrastructure needs statewide, and would create jobs and stimulate the economy.

“These investments are critical to not only address our state’s aging infrastructure but build for our state’s future, whether it’s at our UW System, supporting our veterans, protecting our valuable natural resources, or modernizing our correctional institutions to improve community safety across our state,” Evers said.

And Evers warned that such projects could cost more with uncertainty out of Washington, as President Donald Trump has levied tariffs on U.S. trading partners, with the potential of more to come.

 “We can’t afford to kick the can down the road on key infrastructure projects across our state, most especially as the cost of building materials may only get more expensive with each day of delay due to potential tariff taxes and trade wars,” Evers said.

Two years ago, Republican lawmakers approved about $2.7 billion in the capital budget. In a statement, Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, and Rep. Mark Born, R-Beaver Dam, who co-chair the Joint Finance Committee, said Republicans would “craft a responsible Capital Budget that Wisconsin can afford.”

“Governor Evers’ $4.1 billion Capital Budget is another example of his irresponsible spending,” they said. “We must ensure that our operating budget and capital budget will work together to fund the priorities of the state.”

And Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, called the plan “unsustainable and irresponsible.”

The UW portion of the capital budget totals about $1.6 billion. Among the projects included is $293 million to demolish the brutalist-style Mosse Humanities Building at UW-Madison, $194 million to finalize the Prairie Springs Science Center and shutter Cowley Hall at UW-La Crosse and $189 million to merge the health sciences program into one building at UW-Milwaukee.

In a statement, UW System President Jay Rothman said the proposal “ensures Wisconsin is continuing to build opportunities for future generations of students.”

“Governor Evers’ UW capital budget provides key funding necessary for building repairs and renovations as well as critical new projects that modernize classroom and research facilities,” Rothman said.

Also in the capital budget is $325 million for the early phases of Evers’ prison overhaul, which calls for closing down the Green Bay Correctional Institution and transforming the Waupun Correctional Institution into a medium-security facility with an emphasis on vocational training. The plan would also shutter the long-troubled Lincoln Hills juvenile campus and construct a new juvenile prison in Dane County.

Evers also called for over $195 million for health services facilities, $137 million for veterans homes and the Wisconsin Veterans Museum and $25 million for renewable energy construction projects at state facilities.

In a statement, Evers argued the budget would create more than 37,000 jobs and generate about $7.3 billion in economic activity.

The governor’s capital budget is separate from his biennial state budget proposal, which he unveiled last month, but will eventually be folded into the overall executive budget. It will first go before the State Building Commission for deliberation, which is held by a majority of legislative Republicans.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with response from Republican leaders.