The cost to provide security at the Wisconsin Capitol during weeks of protests over Gov. Scott Walker's budget and collective bargaining changes now top $8 million.

In a letter to the state legislature's Joint Finance Committee, the head of the Department of Administration asks for nearly $8.1 million to pay dozens of law enforcement agencies, four state agencies and three University of Wisconsin campuses for their help in providing security during the large-scale protests last winter and spring.
 
That's slightly higher than the $7.8 million estimated cost in May.

Huebsch says his agency has completed audits of 173 claims submitted by law enforcement agencies and has requested additional information for another 23 claims. The Madison Police Department alone billed the state for nearly $683,000 in security costs.