Local Road Aid Veto

In my previous e-update, I spent a considerable amount of space writing about the Department of Transportation's portion of the state budget and how we need to be looking for long-term answers to fix our roads. While I regret that we did not move toward a sustainable solution, I am happy that we made substantial progress in adequately funding our roadways.

Because of the length of that prior e-update section, I wanted to wait until this edition to voice my disappointment over Gov. Tony Evers’ decision to partially veto funding for the state’s Local Roads Improvement Program. With his veto pen, the governor slashed the amount available for this program by $15 million, from $90 million to $75 million.

What’s even more troubling is the fact that Gov. Evers’ veto also removes the limitations on where and how these funds can be used, and instead authorizes the Department of Transportation to determine and prioritize the most “critical transit and transportation needs,” which could end up being bicycle and pedestrian paths – and not roads.

Established in 1991, the Local Roads Improvement Program has been assisting local governments in fixing seriously deteriorating county highways, town roads and city and village streets. However, the veto made by the governor essentially creates a slush fund where the money could be used to improve transit services in Milwaukee and Madison rather than repair our roads in other areas of the state – the exact purpose for which this program is intended.

Craig Thompson, the secretary-designee for the Department of Transportation, already acknowledged last week that the funding could go to enhance the taxpayer-funded streetcar in downtown Milwaukee.

Throughout his campaign and since he first took office, it’s been pretty easy to see that most of the governor’s legislative proposals have focused more on helping those two metropolitan cities, largely to the detriment of those who live in other regions of the state, especially in rural areas. There are numerous examples throughout the budget where taxpayers statewide are asked to pay for services in Milwaukee that other communities pay for themselves.

The state should be prioritizing the safety of Wisconsin’s roadways for every single person in this state – not just those who live in Madison and Milwaukee. A report from TRIP, a national transportation research group, shows the traffic fatality rate on Wisconsin’s rural roads is nearly 2.5 times higher than on the other roadways in the state.

There are numerous municipalities that serve as great economic and tourism engines for Wisconsin, and focusing on only a select few for upgraded transportation projects would be damaging to the state as a whole. We should not be playing favorites and instead be helping everyone. It’s the right and fair thing to do. 

Storm Damage

I hope that all of you were able to remain safe during the heavy rainfall and severe winds that caused massive amounts of damage across Northeast Wisconsin this past weekend.

 In response to that storm, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has created a website to provide municipalities, businesses and property owners with information to aid in cleanup efforts related to debris disposal and planned demolition activities.

The website, which can be accessed by clicking here, outlines several steps that all of us can take to clean up storm debris while also protecting our own health and safety. The DNR also gives tips that will help reduce longer-term risks to human health and the environment by keeping hazardous materials out of our groundwater, surface water and soil.

Please note the DNR says it does not have the funding to supply dumpsters or pay for hazardous waste collection sites. However, the Federal Emergency Management Agency may be able to provide some financial assistance for the purpose of cleaning up debris.

If you have any questions about the recommended storm cleanup process, please contact your county's DNR solid waste staff by clicking here.  

Fully Funded Pension 

The Pew Charitable Trusts recently released a report detailing the status of all 50 state pension plans across the country, and I have some exciting news to share about Wisconsin.

According to the research conducted by the nonprofit organization, Wisconsin is the top state in the nation when it comes to having a fully funded pension system. Wisconsin's plan is funded at 102.6 percent, joining South Dakota as the only two states that have a surplus within their pension programs.

Wisconsin is also one of 10 states that has paid their full actuarial contribution every year from 2007 to 2013. Additionally, Wisconsin is one of just 12 states that achieved positive amortization from 2014 to 2017.

Pew credits Wisconsin's success to following policies that automatically lower benefits or increase contributions in response to market downturns. 

Just across our border to the south, Illinois has one of the lowest-funded public retirement systems with $85.4 billion in assets and $222.3 billion in total pension liabilities, or a funding gap of 38.4 percent.

Pew says Illinois has one of the worst-funded pension plans, in part, because policymakers have not consistently set aside the amount their own actuaries said was necessary to cover the costs of promised benefits to retirees. As a result, the growing costs of pensions have put the state in a financial crisis, forcing lawmakers to raise taxes and shortchange programs on which lower-income Illinois resident rely. 

In 1998, Illinois taxpayers contributed 53 percent toward their state's pension plan. By 2045, they will be expected to pay 83 percent, or $17.6 billion out of the $21.3 billion in total contributions. That means Illinois public employees will only be contributing $3.7 billion toward their own retirement while taxpayers pick up the rest of the tab.

Thanks to some sound strategy and fiscal responsibility, we do not have that same problem here in Wisconsin. I am proud to live in a state that has the strongest public pension plan in the country, and I look forward to continuing our efforts to ensure the Wisconsin Retirement System stays on top.

If you would like to read the full report from the Pew Charitable Trusts, please click on this link.

Upcoming District Events

What: Potawatomi Activities
Where: Potawatomi State Park, 3740 County Highway PD, Sturgeon Bay, WI
When: Saturday, July 27
Details: "4-5pm. Native Games. Stop by the Daisy Field in the south loop of the campground to experience a few games played by Native peoples. Instructions and equipment available. All ages welcome. Enter near campsite 2E. 7-8pm. Community Campfire. Bring a chair or blanket for a campfire down by the bay. The park naturalist will supply the stories, songs, and fire; you supply the s'mores. Meet at the shoreline area across from the campground shelter and playground. In the event of rain, it will move to the campground shelter. Activities free. Park vehicle sticker required."

What: Sunshine House Rocks
Where: Martin Park, 207 S. Third Ave., Sturgeon Bay, WI
When: Saturday, July 27, from 4 to 8 p.m.
Details: "Live music by Todd Carey and friends. Silent auction, 50/50 raffle, food and drinks for purchase. Benefits Sunshine House Inc. Bring chairs. Free."

What: Premier Wine Tour
Where: Door County Trolley Station, 8030 Highway 42, Egg Harbor, WI
When: Saturday, July 27, and Sunday, July 28
Details: "Enjoy the VIP wine tasting experience as we tour the Midwest Wine Region that is Door County. Meet one on one with the vintners as we experience high quality Door County Wines. Guests will take part in private tastings at 3 award winning wineries."