State Building Commission approves 17 items; lawmaker objects to $50 million grant distribution

The State Building Commission convened virtually and approved 17 agenda items by voice vote, including agency construction projects, property acquisitions and grants for local projects.

Representative Billings, reporting for the higher education subcommittee, moved approval of items 11 through 16 and the commission adopted each by voice vote. Senator Paff reported the Administrative Affairs Subcommittee had approved items 1 through 10 earlier and moved those items; they were likewise approved by voice vote.

The most contested moment came during consideration of item 17, grants for local projects programs. Representative Swearingen said the Northwoods region had been largely left out of the grant awards. “To say that, I am disappointed in this process would be an understatement, with the exception of 1 small project in Forest County for the Seagullen, Chippewa, and Mole Lake, the Northwoods, the entire 12 Senate District, and more, probably about 13 counties were left with $0 out of $50,000,000 for this grant process,” Swearingen said.

Naomi, the presenter for the agenda item, thanked Swearingen for the comment and said staff had tried to spread limited funding across as many projects and areas as possible. “We did try to fund as many as possible, and, we did fund a number of projects, in the the Greater Northwoods area. Just depends on where you where you draw the boundary, but really, understand and and and sympathize with what you were saying,” Naomi said.

The commission voted to approve item 17 by voice. No roll-call tallies or dollar-by-dollar award lists were provided on the record during the meeting; the presenter characterized the total grant pool discussed as $50,000,000. Representative Swearingen said most counties in his region received no awards; Naomi said some projects in the Northwoods were funded but that outcomes depend on how jurisdictional boundaries are defined.

Votes at a glance (voice votes, recorded as aye/no/none opposed in the meeting record): - Item 1: DOC — easement to We Energies at the Milwaukee County Type 1 Juvenile Corrections Facility — approved by voice vote. - Item 2: DOC — all-agency project at Badger State Industries — approved by voice vote. - Item 3: DHS — 2023–25 Minor Facilities Renewal Program (envelope repairs, HVAC improvements) — approved by voice vote. - Item 4: DHS — agency projects — approved by voice vote. - Item 5: DMA — increase for Milwaukee Readiness Center Phase 3 Remodel — approved by voice vote. - Item 6: DMA — all-agency project at Mauston Readiness Center — approved by voice vote. - Item 7: DNR — acceptance of two buildings at Northern Highland American Legion State Forest — approved by voice vote. - Item 8: DNR — increase to all-agency project at Lake Mills State Fish Hatchery — approved by voice vote. - Item 9: DOT — all-agency project at Tomah State Patrol Post — approved by voice vote. - Item 10: Department of Veterans Affairs — all-agency project at Wisconsin Veterans Home at King Campus — approved by voice vote. - Item 11: UW–Madison — Spring Street property acquisition — approved by voice vote. - Item 12: UW–Parkside — building trust funds release — approved by voice vote. - Item 13: Stevens Point — Bridal Street property acquisition — approved by voice vote. - Item 14: UW System — 2023–25 instructional space and technology projects (Eau Claire, La Crosse, River Falls) — approved by voice vote. - Item 15: UW System — 2023–25 facilities renewal program projects (multiple campuses) — approved by voice vote. - Item 16: UW System — various all-agency projects across multiple campuses — approved by voice vote. - Item 17: Grants for local projects programs — approved by voice vote.

The meeting record shows unanimous-consent approvals in subcommittees for most items and voice approvals in the full commission. The meeting concluded with Governor Evers adjourning the session.