Governor Tony Evers’ veto pen changed large portions of the 2023-2025 budget, but there was one item he did not scratch off that will allow you to see some improvements at Potawatomi State Park. The $500,000 requested by State Senator Andre Jacque and State Rep. Joel Kitchens to make immediate repairs to the Potawatomi State Park Observation Tower stayed in the budget signed into law on Wednesday. The money was in addition to the emergency repair funding that was already approved earlier this year. State Senator Andre Jacque says he is happy that the people of Door County were listened to after initial proposals to build a helical ramp to the top for more than $6 million were met with lukewarm enthusiasm.
Jacque adds that even though he was not happy with many of the vetoes, the budget included many items he is excited about moving forward.
Dave Allen from the Potawatomi Park Alliance says he is happy with the decision, but he also understands that this is just the first step that needs to be done before people can start climbing the tower again.
Some of Evers’ vetoes included extending an increase in per pupil, preventing a robust tax cut of $3.5 billion, and halting a plan to eliminate 188 positions from the University of Wisconsin System.
Photo courtesy of Paul Anschutz
