(The Center Square) – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is blaming Republican lawmakers for stopping potential building projects that impact corrections, higher education and veterans’ homes.
Republicans on the State Building Commission say they voted against the proposed two-year capital budget recommendations because of spending and inflation concerns, despite saying there are worthy projects.
The commission – made up of four Democrats and four Republicans – deadlocked 4-4 on a recent vote that blocked the infrastructure projects from moving forward in the process.
Evers, a second-term Democrat, says the delay will mean more costly projects as prices continue to rise.
“We have key infrastructure projects across our state that need repairs and investments, but Republican lawmakers continue to kick the can down the road, which only makes these projects more expensive with each day of delay while our buildings and infrastructure continue to deteriorate. It makes no sense,” Evers said.
Senate President Mary Felzkowski, R-Tomahawk, told Wisconsin Public Radio some projects are worth but new bonding is too much. She also said more discussion is needed.
Evers’ capital budget included almost $1.6 billion in projects for the University of Wisconsin System, more than $600 million for the Department of Corrections, $195 million for health care and $170 million for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Evers said the budget proposal would generate about $7.5 billion in economic activity and support more than 41,000 jobs across the state.
“These projects will support our veterans, help keep our communities safe, improve our university system, and create thousands of family-supporting jobs – this should be a no-brainer,” Evers said. “One way or another, these projects have to get done, and with reckless tariff taxes and trade wars that could cause the costs of these projects and building materials to go up, decisions by Republican lawmakers to obstruct this important work will only force taxpayers to pay more in the long run.”
