Contact:
State Representative Warren Petryk (608) 266-0660
State Representative Jesse James (608) 266-9172
State Representative Treig Pronschinske (608) 266-7015
State Representative Romaine Quinn (608) 266-2519
State Representative Rob Summerfield (608) 266-1194
Madison – Today the Budget writing committee officially voted to include the UW-Eau Claire Science Hall building as part of the state budget. The motion to include the project was part of a joint state budget request submitted by local Assembly Republican legislators Representatives Warren Petryk, Jesse James, Treig Pronschinske, Romaine Quinn, and Rob Summerfield.
“Today’s action by the budget-writing Joint Committee on Finance means that the UW-Eau Claire Science Hall building project is one step closer to becoming reality. This project will continue the knowledge boom our area is already experiencing and will ensure that we remain a national leader in undergraduate research. The positive vote today would not have been possible without the strong advocacy of my fellow Assembly colleagues, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and its strong partnership with the Mayo Clinic,” said Representative Warren Petryk (R-Eleva).
“This budget motion was a huge lift for my Republican colleagues and I. The new science building represents an enormous investment into the UW-Eau Claire campus that will be a game changer for both our educational and healthcare community. At a price tag of $250 million, this project is more than enough reason for northwestern legislators to put aside their differences and pass the upcoming budget,” said Representative Romaine Quinn (R-Barron).
“After months of hard work, I am glad to see funding for a new science building at UW-Eau Claire has been approved! This project will have a tremendous impact on our community and ensure that the Chippewa Valley will remain on the cutting edge of healthcare science,” said Representative Rob Summerfield (R-Bloomer).
“In an age of technology, we need to encourage our youth and provide them with further STEM opportunities. That is why today I am thankful the Joint Committee on Finance supported the UW-Eau Claire Phillips Hall project with the partnership of Mayo Clinic. It will not only give the Eau Claire area many benefits but the surrounding communities that include my district as well,” said Representative Treig Pronschinske (R-Mondovi).
“I want to extend a huge thanks to all who fought for this project and saw it come alive- Chancellor Schmidt, Bill McCoshen, Dr. Rick Helmers, Governor Tommy Thompson and my fellow colleagues, especially Representative Born and Representative Swearingen. The old building is dead, it no longer meets the needs of students and their demands for lab space. This is a very exciting time for UW-Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley. This is a proud legacy to the state with Mayo Clinic Health Systems and I’m glad to have played a small part,” said Representative Jesse James (R-Altoona).
Once the committee completes its work the budget will be sent to the full Assembly and Senate before being sent to the Governor.
