Wisconsin
Area lawmakers air differing views on UW system budget
The new capital budget for Wisconsin proposed by Gov. Tony Evers would provide plenty of money for projects at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
State rep. Jill Billings of La Crosse thinks it’s about time.
Billings told the audience at a UW-L forum that, as a member of the state building commission, she has seen outdated equipment at campuses throughout the UW System.
The Evers budget includes funding for the second half of a new science building for La Crosse and a new campus fieldhouse.
One new GOP Assemblyman, Loren Oldenburg from the 96th District, questioned the decision that was made to build a new science center for UW-L in two parts.
The overall cost for the project is $160 million, but Oldenburg says the price tag probably could have been cut to $130 million.
Oldenburg is a former UW-L student.
He joined Billiings, Rep. Steve Doyle and Sen. Jennifer Shilling at Friday’s legislative forum.