“I would like to thank Senator Darling and Representative Nygren for their support of the UW System. They made a commitment to work with us throughout the budget process, and we greatly appreciate this investment in our institutions. I also want to especially thank Representative Born and his staff for their leadership in the capital budget. They made investing in our infrastructure a priority and we appreciate their work.

“With the funding approved today, our campuses will be able to conduct maintenance, repair, and renovation projects, as well as provide important instructional space for our faculty and students.”

University of Wisconsin—Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank issued the following statement today in reaction to the Joint Finance Committee’s unanimous approval of the Building Commission and Building Program omnibus motion:

“I appreciate the Joint Finance Committee’s vote today to add two very important projects for our campus to the Capital Budget, and their support of the governor’s recommendation for much needed ‘all-agency’ funding for limited scope maintenance projects that repair, renovate, replace, and upgrade building components and systems.

“The construction of a parking ramp on the west end of campus is a necessary step toward facilitating a badly needed expansion of the School of Veterinary Medicine. The school was built to accommodate 12,000 patients per year, but served more than 26,000 last year. The construction of the ramp involves no state tax dollars and will be paid for by revenues generated by UW-Madison, and will ultimately allow the School of Veterinary Medicine to serve Wisconsin farmers and pet owners better.

“The utilities project is a necessary upgrade to outdated thermal utilities, electrical utilities, sanitary and storm sewers, and water systems along Lathrop Drive and Bascom Hill. The need for the project was hastened by a steam pipe rupture in Radio Hall on our campus this past spring.

“We will continue to stress the need to include these projects in the state budget bill as the legislation goes to the Assembly, Senate and to Governor Walker for approval.”

UW System President Ray Cross on Thursday testified before the legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance, telling the panel “affordability, accountability, compensation, infrastructure maintenance, and flexibilities are important to the university system.”

“We are very pleased with what the Governor has proposed,” Cross said. “It provides the first investment of new state dollars the UW System has received in more than a decade. We appreciate this recognition of the critical role we play in strengthening Wisconsin’s economy and its workforce. Research continues to show that an investment in the UW System yields at least a ten-fold return.”

Cross’ prepared remarks can be found here.

Video of Cross’ appearance before the committee can be viewed here. (Cross’ testimony begins at the 379:00 mark.)

Media coverage:

UW System President: Walker’s Budget A ‘Move In The Right Direction’

UW System President Ray Cross: Walker proposal the ‘best budget’ for system in 10 years