Republicans vote against Gov. Evers’ Capital Budget projects, departing from the Commission’s decades-old tradition of recommending respective governors’ project requests to the Legislative Joint Finance Committee.

MADISON - Today, the State Building Commission took up Governor Tony Evers’ 2019-2021 Capital Budget, which makes historic investments in state and University of Wisconsin System infrastructure after eight years of neglect. Republicans on the Commission voted against Gov. Evers’ Capital Budget projects, departing from the Commission’s decades-old institutional tradition of recommending respective governors’ project requests to the Legislative Joint Finance Committee. Republican Commission members’ move comes only a day after the same Republicans voted unanimously with Democrats to recommend the governor’s project requests for adoption.

Gov. Evers released the statement below following today’s Building Commission meeting:

“Disappointed is an understatement. Republicans on the Commission voted to support this Capital Budget a day ago—they were for it before they were against it. This was about playing politics, plain and simple, not doing what’s best for the people of our state. Republicans would rather have us sit here in gridlock than do the jobs we were sent here to do, and that’s a shame.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/flooding-east-river-gb-wbay-s5.jpgIce melt and rain resulted in flooding, ice jams, and rivers and creeks to rise. State agencies, including the Wisconsin National Guard, will provide personnel and resources.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/woman-soldier-unit-s5.jpgGov. Tony Evers and Sen. Tammy Baldwin both call for independent, comprehensive review.

Stations range in cost from $800 to $2,700 apiece, will improve access to clean drinking water around state.

MADISON – During a visit to Huegel Elementary School Wednesday, Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes focused on Governor Tony Evers’ budget proposal that includes $500,000 in grant funding to the Department of Public Instruction to help more schools around the state purchase water bottle filling stations.

The proposal dovetails with remediation efforts around the state and would reduce lead levels in Milwaukee and nitrate levels in northern Wisconsin.

“Clean drinking water is a basic need and should be available to our children in our schools,” Lt. Gov. Barnes said. “Contaminated water is a real issue that can lead to negative long-term effects if not addressed correctly. I stand with Governor Evers in making sure every child in our state has healthy water to drink.”

Stations range in cost from $800 to $2,700 apiece, with additional costs for installation and filter replacement every 3,000 gallons.

“I’ve always said that what’s best for our kids is what’s best for our state, and that definitely includes access to clean drinking water,” Gov. Evers said. “Everyone in Wisconsin should be able to have clean drinking water flow from the taps in their homes, schools and businesses, whether they live in an urban or rural community. I’m proud to continue my commitment to making 2019 the Year of Clean Drinking Water in Wisconsin by funding investments like these water bottle filling stations.”

In February, Gov. Evers released details about additional water quality initiatives in the proposed budget, which includes $40 million in bonding authority to help fund the replacement of lead service lines around the state.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/immigration-children-border-s5.jpgPresident’s declaration is reckless and unconstitutional says Governor. Suit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief to block the emergency declaration, the construction of the wall, and any illegal diversion of funds appropriated by Congress.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/voter-primaries-s5.jpgNon-partisan League Of Women Voters of Wisconsin concerned about Election Security funding being allocated to non-security functions in Governor Evers’ budget proposal for the Wisconsin Elections Commission.

March is Women’s History Month, and the LWV Wisconsin takes notice of leaders and members who make a difference.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/road-repair-wi-3-s5.jpgDeferred maintenance and life safety issues plus facilities to support institutions of higher education given priority.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/packers-natl-anthem-s5.jpgPublic-private partnership project will help nearly 5.7 million annual visitors to Brown County understand what makes Green Bay and Northeast Wisconsin so special.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/uwec-campus-s5.jpgNew facility will ensure northwestern Wisconsin has state-of-the-art research capabilities to support entrepreneurship in healthcare fields.