Three projects proposed for three state parks in Door County will have to wait after the State Building Commission rejected Governor Tony Evers’ $2.4 billion capital budget. In addition to $1 billion for new buildings at UW System institutions including Green Bay’s, projects aimed at restoring the boat house at Rock Island State Park, a welcome center at Potawatomi State Park, and a new shower house at Peninsula State Park were also temporarily shelved. One of the members of that commission is First District state Senator Andre Jacque, who represents a large portion of northeast Wisconsin including Door County. He has reservations about approving projects with a 10 percent increase in state spending and tax increases on the docket in Governor Evers’ budget proposal. He adds that he would like to discuss the three Door County projects and the progress addressing the Potawatomi State Park Tower with Department of Natural Resources Secretary Preston Cole.

He says a meeting with Cole has not been granted since he first made the request months ago. Jacque added many of the proposed Building Commission projects have strong merit and will likely still get the approval of the Legislature in a final draft of the budget.