New UW-Madison engineering building in jeopardy after GOP leaves it out of budget

MADISON - The University of Wisconsin-Madison's new engineering building is in jeopardy after the state Legislature's powerful state budget-writing committee voted to leave the project out of its $2.4 billion spending plan for state building projects.

The UW-Madison College of Engineering receives some 8,000 applicants annually but only has the space and teaching resources to accept about 1,200. The $347 million building would allow the state flagship to graduate at least 1,000 more undergraduate engineers annually, as well as hire more faculty and expand research.

“Today is certainly a sad day for UW–Madison, but the real tragedy is for the state of Wisconsin,” Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin said in a statement. "This building would promote the state’s economic development. It would create significant workforce opportunities. It would propel innovation. And without it, we harm businesses all across Wisconsin."

Rep. Mark Born, R-Beaver Dam, said the project was a casualty of Republicans' desire to reduce Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' nearly $4 billion plan for building projects. Born co-chairs the Joint Committee on Finance that voted Thursday on a plan that didn't include the building project on the state university system's flagship campus.

"We had to reduce an unrealistic capital budget," Born said at a Thursday press conference in the state Capitol in Madison. "So, obviously, there are things that are out and difficult decisions that are made."

Projects proposed by Evers for UW System campuses were the target of such reductions. Republicans who control the committee agreed to fund just half of the proposals from the governor.

Democrats on the committee blasted the project's removal, accusing Republicans of doing so solely for political reasons.

"You certainly can't say you care about our economy if you're not going to fund the engineering building at our flagship campus that could be a huge driver for the next generation in our state," said Sen. Kelda Roys, a Democrat from Madison who represents a district that includes UW-Madison. "Who do you think is going to build those buildings over the next 20 years?"

Roys said she fielded phone calls in recent days from CEOs who were "terrified" and confused as to why Wisconsin wouldn't fund the project, which would make it even more difficult for businesses to hire engineers. She said some companies are offering jobs to students two years before graduation.

With Wisconsin lawmakers having a projected $7 billion budget surplus to use while crafting the next state spending plan, Evers said not funding the project "absolutely defies logic."

Engineering schools at peer universities, such as Purdue and University of Illinois, have student bodies nearly double the size of UW-Madison, pulling Wisconsin's best and brightest out of state. This may, in turn, lead businesses to put roots down in a state where they can develop a steady talent pipeline.

Building, manufacturing and business groups shared their strong support for the project, including the Council of Engineering Companies of Wisconsin, the Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce. UW-Madison said the coalition represents the broadest collection of supporter organizations to ever weigh in favor of a UW–Madison capital project.

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Some other UW projects approved

Republicans also approved other UW System projects. UW-Madison, for example, got the OK to demolish and replace the Camp Randall Sports Center with a new indoor practice field. The project is funded without state money.

UW-Eau Claire received $231 million for a science building. UW-Milwaukee got $5 million to start the planning process for renovating the Northwest Quadrant complex.

UW System President Jay Rothman said that, for Wisconsin to compete and prosper, the state must invest in high-demand programs. He said he'll continue to champion the UW-Madison engineering building as the Legislature aims to pass a budget by July 1.

“We appreciate the action the legislature’s budget-writing committee took today to approve several facilities for the UW System. However, for Wisconsin to compete and prosper, we must invest in high-demand programs at all our universities. UW-Madison’s engineering building is our top priority for a reason," Rothman said in a statement.

"Investing in this facility will help address a crucial workforce shortage in the state as well as enhance the world-class research that draws talent into our state and drives economic vibrancy. We will continue to champion this vital project.”

The project was the UW System's No. 1 capital priority in this budget. It was a top priority in the last budget, too. But the Joint Finance Committee declined to fund it back when the cost was estimated to be $300 million.

The price tag has grown since then to $347 million, with about $200 million funded through state money. UW-Madison committed to raising $150 million of the cost and already secured $35 million from donors.

“But all of these donations,” College of Engineering Dean Ian Robertson said, “are entirely contingent upon the state providing its share of the project in the 2023-25 biennium.”

Dentistry facilities get green-lit

Republicans on the budget-writing committee also approved spending $10.7 million on upgrading the Marquette University School of Dentistry and $4.8 million on expanding Children's Wisconsin hospital's dental clinic.

Taxpayers also would spend $10 million for expanding the Versiti Blood Research Institute in Milwaukee, and $60 million for the construction of a new state history museum in Madison under the measures approved by Republicans on Thursday.

Broadband proposal rejected

Committee Republicans also rejected Evers' $750 million request to expand broadband internet service, citing federal funding being available for such projects and having projects already under way. About $145 million in federal funds have been allocated for projects to expand high-speed internet.

“I talked to a lot of providers in my area, and they’re telling me that their pipeline is full,” Committee co-chairman Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, said Thursday.

Evers spokewoman Britt Cudaback called the move "outrageous."

"Embarrassing doesn’t begin to cover it," she said.

Rep. Evan Goyke, D-Milwaukee, said the move was short-sighted and would continue to stunt economic growth in areas without high-speed internet. But Rep. Alex Dallman, R-Green Lake, also said there were enough projects in the pipeline already to help areas like his district.

The committee also approved spending $78 million to carry out a yearslong plan to replace and close the state's youth prison in Lincoln county. The funds will go toward building a correctional facility in Milwaukee for juvenile offenders.

The building projects will be included in the final two-year state budget proposal the full Legislature will take up later this summer.

Kelly Meyerhofer and Molly Beck can be reached at kmeyerhofer@gannett.com and molly.beck@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: New UW-Madison engineering building project left out of state budget