Rep. Jill Billings
(608) 266-5780
State Capital Budget provides funding and jobs for La Crosse
Madison, Wis – Today, Governor Tony Evers released his 2019-2021 capital budget recommendations, which includes investment in several vital projects for UW-La Crosse. Rep. Jill Billings (D-La Crosse), Chairwoman of the State Building Commission subcommittee on Higher Education, praised the Governor’s investments in our state’s infrastructure.
“I’m glad to see that Governor Evers is investing in our communities through the state building program,” said Rep. Billings. “After years of not appropriately funding our vertical infrastructure, I welcome a budget that prioritizes our state facilities. Many of the buildings on our UW-System campuses were built in the 1950s and 1960s and have had minor upkeep. I’ve toured and seen ventilation systems in science labs literally held together with duct tape. Governor Evers’ capital budget makes investment in areas of most need and leverages private funding sources to the benefit of the state.”
The Governor’s recommendations include four projects on the UW-La Crosse campus. These projects include: completing the Prairie Springs Science Phase II project, renovations to Coate Hall, Sanford Hall and Graff Main Hall, and construction of a new fieldhouse.
“The projects at UW-La Crosse not only improve our campus, but provide jobs in our area,” said Rep. Billings. “I spoke with Governor Evers about these projects and I’m glad he included them in his final recommendations. As the Chair of the Higher Education Subcommittee, I’m looking forward to voting in support of these projects.”
The Governor’s capital budget now goes before the State Building Commission, of which Rep. Billings is a member. The State Building Commission will vote on whether to move forward the Governor’s recommendations to be included in the full 2019-21 state budget.
The full capital budget can be found here.
