Wisconsin Republicans back $1.5 billion for UW, other public buildings

MADISON – Republicans on the Legislature’s budget committee agreed Tuesday to spend $1.5 billion over two years for University of Wisconsin buildings and other public facilities.Their plan is nearly $1 billion less than what Democratic Gov. Tony Evers proposed. Republicans said Evers wanted to spend too much and they were focused on keeping the state’s borrowing costs down. They took their vote hours after learning the state is expected to take in $4.4 billion more over three years than had been projected. Evers said the state needed to put more toward schools and other programs, while Republicans called for tax cuts.

The Republican plan would provide funding for numerous UW projects backed by Evers, including:

  • $88.4 million to demolish two UW-Madison residence halls and build a new academic building for the university’s ethnic studies programs;
  • $27 million to renovate a nursing education complex at UW-Oshkosh;
  • $11.4 million to renovate the west tower of Sandburg Hall at UW-Milwaukee;
  • $116.7 million to construct a new science and technology innovation center at UW-River Falls;
  • $96.3 million to build a multi-use technology and education center at UW-Green Bay;
  • $96 million to replace UW-Stevens Point’s Albertson Hall.
  • More than $100 million for repairs and upgrades.

Source: Wisconsin Republicans back $1.5 billion for UW, other public buildings

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