Governor Appoints Hintz to the Building Commission as Chair of the Higher Education Subcommittee

MADISON– Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) was recently named to serve as one of eight members to the State of Wisconsin Building Commission. Rep. Hintz is one of 3 members of the Wisconsin State Assembly to serve on the Building Commission for the 2009-2011 Legislative Session. Yesterday, Governor Doyle appointed Hintz as Chair of the Building Commission’s Higher Education Subcommittee.

“I’m honored to be given the privilege of serving on the Building Commission and to be appointed as Chair of the Higher Education Subcommittee,” said Rep. Hintz. “One of the most important aspects of maintaining our state institutions is ensuring the quality and integrity of the buildings in which people work, learn, and govern. With the 3rd largest State University along with Winnebago Mental Health Institution and Oshkosh Correctional Institutions, the Oshkosh area has a strong concentration of state facilities that employ hundreds of local residents. I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues on the committee to develop strong, comprehensive plans to develop, improve, and maintain these and other facilities around the state.”

“Rep. Hintz understands the opportunity we have at this moment, to partner with the federal government to improve our infrastructure,” said Wisconsin State Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan. “I know that he will make sure any stimulus dollars approved for building projects will help us bring state facilities into the 21st Century, and in the process, create good, family-supporting jobs.”

The Building Commission was created by Wisconsin Law in 1949 to oversee the planning, improvement, major maintenance and renovation of state facilities, and was expanded in 1969 to include the supervision of all matters relating to the contracting of public debt. The eight members consist of Governor Jim Doyle, 3 members each from the State Senate and Assembly, and a citizen member appointed by the Governor. The building commission held their first meeting yesterday.

“This is both a challenging and exciting time to be a part of the Building Commission,” added Hintz. “With the projected budget deficit we have many difficult choices ahead. However, it is important that we maintain the facilities that are crucial to our state institutions. I’m ready to work with the Commission to develop a building program that meets the needs of Wisconsin citizens without straining their pocketbooks further.”