MADISON, Wis. — Gov. Tony Evers continued to crisscross the state Friday to build support for his budget, especially the building projects he wants to invest in on campuses.

The governor spent part of the day at the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie to highlight parts of his spending plan.

What You Need To Know

  • This week, Gov. Tony Evers released his capital budget proposal which includes nearly $4.1 billion for major projects in 26 counties across Wisconsin
  • Among the priorities is $1.6 billion for projects across the UW System

  • The Evers administration said the projects could result in $7 billion of economic activity and more than 37,000 jobs around Wisconsin

How does the capital budget differ from the executive budget?

There are two parts of the biennial budget — the executive budget primarily funds state agencies and programs, which includes the operational functions that keep the government up and running.

The capital budget is a separate piece that focuses on the renovation and construction of state-owned buildings.

Gov. Evers delivered his executive budget in February, while he released his capital budget earlier this week.

What’s included in the capital budget Gov. Evers proposed?

The spending plan proposed nearly $4.1 billion for major projects in 26 counties across Wisconsin.

Gov. Evers believes the investments amount to a win-win scenario. Through improvements at facilities across the state, the Evers administration said the projects could result in $7 billion of economic activity and more than 37,000 jobs around Wisconsin.

The most significant proposals include:

  • $325 million as part of a “domino series” of projects to update correctional facilities across the state
  • $1.6 billion for projects across the UW System
  • $40 million to update the State Capitol building.
  • $195 million for health services facilities
  • $137 million to upgrade veterans’ homes around the state

Why do Republicans feel it’s “completely unrealistic”?

Republicans, who control the legislature, have the power of the purse when it comes to spending.

“Just like his operating budget, it’s completely unrealistic, so we’ll right size that as we have in the past,” State Rep. Mark Born, R-Beaver Dam, who also serves as co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee, told reporters Thursday. “Obviously, he released it just a couple of days ago, so we’re starting to work through that.”

Republican leaders also said they are also looking at ways to reform the capital budget process overall.

As far as the next steps, the State Building Commission will meet on March 25 to vote on the governor’s capital budget recommendations. After that, they must be formally submitted to the Joint Finance Committee by the first Tuesday in April.

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