UW–Madison and the State Budget

Budget News

• Dairy Innovation Hub gets budget panel approval

  June 13, 2019

  The Joint Finance Committee on Tuesday approved an $8.8 million funding package for the proposed Dairy Innovation Hub. Kate VandenBosch, Dean, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, issued the following statement with her counterparts from Platteville and River Falls:

  As leaders of UW System agricultural programs, we would like to thank members of the Joint Finance Committee for including funding for the Dairy Innovation Hub in the state budget bill. It is especially appropriate as the state celebrates June Dairy Month.

  This investment in UW System agricultural research will generate vital new discoveries by attracting the world’s best talent to Wisconsin and providing the tools and resources for making important new discoveries to benefit the dairy industry.

  The concept was formed by industry partners following the UW System-sponsored Dairy Summit in 2017 and further refined through the work of the state’s Dairy Taskforce 2.0. We appreciate the leadership of Senator Howard Marklein and Representative Travis Tranel who introduced legislation creating the Hub earlier this year. The funding, which is less than 0.02 percent of the state’s dairy economy, will position Wisconsin as a leader in dairy production and innovation for decades to come.

  We are also grateful for our ongoing partnerships with farmers and other dairy businesses who collaborate with our students, faculty and staff every day to shape research questions and provide real-world laboratories to test new technologies and learn new techniques. We look forward to growing these partnerships.

• UW System President Cross, Regents President Petersen statements on JFC vote

  June 12, 2019

  University of Wisconsin System President Ray Cross issued this statement Tuesday’s vote:

  “I deeply appreciate the Joint Finance Committee’s very strong investment in the University of Wisconsin System’s infrastructure. This will help us modernize laboratories and classrooms, repair aging and unsafe facilities, and replace obsolete structures. This long-term investment will help attract and retain more students and faculty.”

  UW System Board of Regents President Drew Petersen issued the following statement:

  “The investment in our facilities forwarded by the Committee today will have a significant impact on our students, faculty, and staff. The Board of Regents greatly appreciates the legislature’s support and commitment to make these critical improvements.”

  Media coverage of the vote can be found below.

  Wisconsin Public Radio: Lawmakers approve $1B for UW System construction projects

  Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Lawmakers approve $1 billion in building projects for UW campuses, reject funding to replace youth prison

  Wisconsin State Journal: Budget committee OKs $1.9B in building projects, including $1B for UW campuses

• Committee approves UW-Madison building projects

  June 11, 2019

  The legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance tonight approved on a 12-4 vote a package of building projects requested by the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

  Chancellor Rebecca Blank issued the following statement in response to the vote:

  “I want to express my deep appreciation to members of the Joint Committee on Finance for today’s action approving all five of UW–Madison’s requested capital projects as well as much-needed maintenance and renovation funds.

  “When we reached out to legislators on these vitally important projects, they heard our needs and responded with their support.

  “In addition to members of the Joint Committee on Finance and Governor Evers, I want to especially thank our donors and industry partners, who helped advance our plans with their generous gifts and advocacy.

  “The approval of our plan to expand and renovate our School of Veterinary Medicine, the only veterinary medicine school in the state, recognizes the role it plays in serving farmers and pet owners around the state.

  “The other capital projects, including the renovation of the Sellery Residence Hall and the replacement of the Natatorium Recreational Sports facility, will improve life on campus for our students. Improvements to the Kohl Center and Camp Randall Stadium provide needed upgrades to these important Athletics facilities.

  “We are grateful for today’s approval and look forward to these projects moving forward quickly.”

• More News