Contact: Rep. Jill Billings
(608) 266-5780

Madison, Wisconsin — Today, Rep. Jill Billings (D-La Crosse) was appointed to the State of Wisconsin Building Commission. The commission administers and supervises state facilities from the initial building proposal, through implementation, to renovation. As such, the commission oversees 75.7 million square feet of space, more than 60 percent of which is spread among the state’s 13 four-year University of Wisconsin System schools.

“I have been a long-time supporter for building developments in the Coulee Region and had the opportunity to be advocate on behalf of the La Crosse Center renovation project earlier this year,” Rep. Billings said. “As a member of the commission, I take the responsibility of being a steward of taxpayer dollars very seriously and look forward to having a more direct role in state building projects.”

The Building Commission’s voting members include the governor, one citizen appointed by the governor, and three state senators and three state representatives appointed by legislative leadership. Rep. Billings serves as the sole Assembly Democrat on the committee. Additionally, three non-voting members from the Department of Administration serve as advisors.

The commission has two subcommittees: Higher Education, which reviews the UW-System building requests, and Administrative Affairs, which reviews requests from all other state agencies. Rep. Billings will serve on the Higher Education subcommittee.

“As a member of the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities, I understand the immediate need for updating current campus buildings and building new ones,” Rep. Billings said. “I have also seen the challenges such building proposals can face, which is why I look forward to being a voice for UW-La Crosse and our other UW-System schools.”

The next scheduled meeting of the State Building Commission is next Wednesday, December 13 at the Wisconsin State Capitol.

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