Doyle says state could start $3.7 billion in building projects with Fed cash

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Gov. Jim Doyle says Wisconsin can start up to $3.7 billion in building and environmental projects by next spring if Congress can approve a stimulus package by then.

Doyle responded Wednesday to President-elect Barack Obama’s request for projects the various states can do right away to create jobs and put a jolt into the stagnant economy.

But Doyle’s list raised eyebrows when it included $280 million in school building items that voters rejected in referendums.

Assembly Republican Leader Jeff Fitzgerald says Doyle is ignoring the will of the taxpayers.

But spokesman Lee Sensenbrenner says the governor is simply listing what can be built now and a priority list for the various projects is far from being set.

Today, Doyle will ask the House Appropriations Committee for federal help in fixing Wisconsin’s $5.4 billion deficit in its next budget.

Wausau Democrat David Obey chairs the panel.

Doyle’s wish list includes $0.75 billion for public school projects.

There’s also $600 million to clean up more cancer-causing PCB’s in the Fox River; $300 million in highway projects, including the expansion of Interstate 94 from Milwaukee to Illinois; and almost $1 billion in public and private energy conservation projects.

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