Press Release: Gov. Evers Urges Bipartisan Support for 2023-25 Capital Budget Recommendations

State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 03/23/2023 09:59 AM CDT
Office of Governor Tony Evers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 23, 2023
Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov 
 
Gov. Evers Urges Bipartisan Support for 2023-25 Capital Budget Recommendations
Governor's capital budget to be taken up by State Building Commission includes major projects in both Republican and Democratic districts, projects could support $6.8 billion in economic activity and 45,000 jobs throughout Wisconsin
MADISON — As the State Building Commission (SBC) prepares to meet later today to consider the governor’s 2023-25 Capital Budget recommendations, Gov. Tony Evers urged bipartisan support for his nearly $3.8 billion in recommended investments, released last month, which represents one of the strongest investments to date for Wisconsin’s facility infrastructure and includes major projects in both Republican and Democratic legislative districts in 28 counties across the state. 
 
Additionally, the governor’s recommended investments will help grow the economy by providing family-supporting jobs and supporting businesses throughout the state. According to Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin, for every $1 in construction spending, there is $1.84 of economic activity generated in Wisconsin. Additionally, for every $1 million of construction spending, 12 jobs are supported in the state’s economy. As a result, it is estimated the governor’s proposed Capital Budget supports approximately $6.8 billion in economic activity and 45,000 jobs throughout Wisconsin. 

“The projects included in my Capital Budget will benefit countless Wisconsinites across our state in urban, rural communities, red and blue districts alike, and this is an opportunity to invest in not only the sustainability, safety, and longevity of our state’s infrastructure but in the future success and growth of our communities,” said Gov. Evers. “With an unprecedented state surplus, now is not the time to let partisan posturing get in the way of our duty and responsibility to invest in the needs that have long been neglected and to build the future we want for our state.”

Over the course of the past two budget cycles, the SBC has consistently failed to develop a State Building Program. In the 2019-21 biennium, the SBC reviewed state agency requests and the governor’s 2019-21 Capital Budget recommendations and, in a disappointing and unprecedented turn of events, failed to provide recommendations for any of the items submitted on the agenda. This was the first time in SBC records the Commission did not collaborate to develop a State Building Program. Unfortunately, that trend continued in the 2021-23 biennium as well. 

With the SBC set to take up the governor’s third Capital Budget proposal later today, the governor highlighted the impact his recommendations would have on Republican and Democratic legislative districts across the state, including in districts represented by members of the SBC. A breakdown of capital projects by Senate District is available here, and a breakdown of capital projects by Assembly District is available here. 

The complete 2023-25 Capital Budget agency requests and the governor’s recommendations can be found here. The SBC is chaired by Gov. Evers and made up of the following members:
  • Sen. Robert Wirch;
  • Sen. Joan Ballweg;
  • Sen. André Jacque;
  • Rep. Jill Billings;
  • Rep. Rob Swearingen;
  • Rep. Robert Wittke; and
  • Barb Worcester, citizen member
 
An online version of this release is available here.
###