After a long overdue, complex debate, the Wisconsin State Budget has passed and been signed into law. In February, most thought the budget would pass quickly—it ended up taking over a month longer than the deadline. Transportation, one of the issues we’ve been watching most closely, had held up the budget for months. Though expenditures on transportation and road fixes have played a strong role in the delay, many reasonable outcomes have resulted from it.
Detailed in the budget are several victories for the future of transportation in the state, which has allocated $400 million for spending include:
- HUGE VICTORY: the expansion of the I-94 East-West Corridor in Milwaukee has been nixed for the time being, enabling money to be spent in more sustainable and helpful ways for the state.
- GREAT NEWS: Increased funding for local road and bridge expenses, rather than larger highway projects was included. Transit also received a small increase, though nowhere near what we need.
- BAD NEWS: Although the budget looks positive in some spots, certain drawbacks are noticeable, as well. Despite helping to reduce air pollution, hybrid and electric car owners will have to pay extra fees to register their vehicles, including $75 for hybrid owners and $100 for electric vehicle owners.
- DISAPPOINTING NEWS: the Legislature had added a requirement that all highway proposals include a ‘replace in-kind’ option. Often, the Department of Transportation recommends two large expansion options and studies which one to choose. This requirement would ensure whether we need an expansion would be considered, not just what kind of expansion. Unfortunately, Governor Walker vetoed this.
Stay tuned for a deeper analysis of the other components of the budget and next steps to ensure a sustainable, responsible, accessible transportation system in Wisconsin!