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Walker/Vos Transportation Funding Feud Continues
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | September 22, 2016
From WisPolitics . . .
— The feud between Gov. Scott Walker and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos over transportation funding continued yesterday, with Walker asking for “specific alternatives” to his proposal.
Walker today sent a letter to Vos asking Assembly GOP leaders to “stand with the taxpayer” and ensure their taxes and fees don’t go up. Vos and Joint Finance co-chair John Nygren have said all options, including revenue increases, need to be on the table to meet a projected $939.1 million gap in the transportation fund.
In his letter, Walker acknowledged “we have more work to do” on transportation but that the biennial budget proposal he rolled out last week is a “good start.” The proposal, he noted, would lower bonding to $500 million from the $850 million in the current budget. It also would boost local aids by $65 million and puts nearly $70 million toward maintenance and safety.
Walker said he released his proposal months early to start a discussion and is “willing to consider any specific alternatives from Assembly leadership that live within taxpayer means.”
“I am willing to consider alternatives and options that do not grow the size of government,” Walker wrote. “I believe we can agree that we did not get elected as conservatives to raise taxes or fees.”
See Walker’s letter here.
— Late yesterday afternoon, Vos and Assembly GOP leaders replied with their own letter saying Walker’s proposal “doesn’t address the long-term transportation needs” of the state.
In the letter, Assembly GOP leaders say they’re “pleased to hear that you agree more work needs to be done.” They said Assembly Transportation Committee Chair Keith Ripp, R-Lodi, will hold informational hearings so that the chamber can develop an alternative plan.
“Your office and the Department of Transportation have had months to develop a budget proposal, we would like to take the first step by holding hearings and asking experts about the future ramifications of the budget request,” they wrote.
Among the things they want studied are the impacts of Walker’s proposed project delays, which includes an expansion of I-94 north-south that goes through Vos’ district. Under Walker’s plan, they said, “the unfortunate reality is that these roads may not be done in our lifetime.”
“You have often said that we must do what’s best for the next generation and not worry about the next election,” they wrote. “We look forward to using this theme as we work together with you and our Senate colleagues to create a fiscally conservative and responsible long-term funding solution.”
See the letter here.
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