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Wisconsin Legislature's Budget Writing Committee Votes to Boost Borrowing for State's Revolving Loan Programs

Tuesday, June 10th, 2025 -- 9:00 AM

(Danielle Kaeding, Wisconsin Public Radio) The Wisconsin Legislature’s budget-writing committee unanimously voted to boost borrowing for the state’s revolving loan programs by more than $700 million to help communities fund upgrades to water infrastructure.

According to Danielle Kaeding with the Wisconsin Public Radio, the Joint Committee on Finance voted Thursday to increase borrowing by $732.2 million under the state’s Environmental Improvement Fund, which includes the clean water fund and safe drinking water loan programs.

The fund is supported by federal grants that require a 20 percent state match that generally needs to be in hand prior to receiving federal funds. Lawmakers voted to increase borrowing by $73.6 million to meet the required state match for four years.

The committee also approved a $658.5 million increase to fund about 87 percent of anticipated financial need among communities. The state projects they will seek around $1.6 billion in loans for clean water and safe drinking water projects under the next two-year state budget, as well as nearly $1.3 billion in the 2027-29 biennium.

During Thursday’s meeting, committee co-chair State Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, said it’s a big deal for communities who rely on the state’s loan programs.

“We’ve had significant investments in a couple of my communities for wastewater treatment plants and upgrades in their water systems, but also there’s some unmet demand here,” Marklein said.

Marklein’s district is not alone. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has seen surging demand from communities seeking financial assistance to fund projects under the two loan programs.

Wisconsin was unable to fund costs from 24 projects totaling $73.9 million for wastewater and stormwater upgrades in the current fiscal year, according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau.

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