GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Governor Tony Evers was in Green Bay to show his support for bipartisan legislation that would allow for $2 million dollars for the Experience Greater Green Bay Visitor Center in the next state budget.
“This is really one of the last pieces, and we will be able to move forward with support from the state.”It is money that Greater Green Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau President and CEO Brad Toll says is needed to complete the project.
“It is a project that should pay for itself and it is one that should move forward very soon.”
He says the project has received bipartisan support and the support of the Governor is important.
“It has gotten really good support from both sides. Having Governor Evers pledge his support was really important for the project.”
The project is caught in the middle of a political firestorm since some Republicans did not like the action taken Monday.
Republicans say Evers vetoed the $2 million, calling this a political stunt.
“People expect their legislators to work with each other to support Brown County. It is disingenuous for legislators to say NO to increased funding for UWGB, NO to increase funding and fix Brown Co. roads, NO to increase money for public education, NO to make our community safer by replacing an outdated and dangerous prison, NO to help our overworked District Attorneys, and NO to promoting tourism for the area. Yet when it is politically expedient, they stand and clap for a proposal they voted NO on just two months ago! Leading from the front is recognizing ideas that will advance our communities, not waiting until an idea is in the rearview mirror,” said Representative John Macco.
Representative David Steffen said, “What a goofy, sophomoric display today. After vetoing our year’s worth of work on this project, Evers sneaks into town for an impromptu press conference to take credit for a project he removed from the budget just six weeks ago. While I’m glad we are getting this matter addressed, this type of petty political antic is better kept in high school class president races versus the office of the governor.”
Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke also made a statement.
“To say I am unimpressed by Governor Evers’ showing up in Green Bay today to tout $2 million for a visitor’s center would be an understatement. If he wanted to support Green Bay and northeast Wisconsin, we gave him every opportunity. Today’s showing is an insincere bid for attention. He slashed our budget that funded northeast Wisconsin priorities, and in doing so, Governor Evers turned his back on our communities.”
Toll says some of the Republicans that have spoken out against the announcement and how it was done have been in support of the project.
The new center will showcase regional arts, culture, attractions, and the industry.
A new $6.5 million facility is in the works for Lombardi Avenue just off I-41.
The Greater Green Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau has raised about $4 million of the $6.5 million project.
