MADISON— The Assembly passed the “Transportation Fund Protection Act” in Tuesday’s session to protect Wisconsin’s Transportation Fund. The constitutional amendment, proposed by Representatives Petrowski and Endsley, would put an end to raids of the Transportation Fund.

 

“We need to rebuild trust in the government. The Transportation Fund has been repeatedly raided to the point that we can no longer cover costs. Every sector of Wisconsin’s economy depends on a good transportation system; we are ensuring that they are able to run their business and move their product efficiently,” Marklein states.

 

The constitutional amendment creates different categories of taxes and fees associated with transportation and requiring them to be deposited into the Transportation Fund. Additionally, the amendment would prohibit transfers from the Transportation Fund to other sources while prohibiting the money from being spent for other purposes other than transportation.

 

“It’s about time we get back to honest budgeting,” Marklein says. “If we levy a tax for a purpose or fund, the money should be used for that specific purpose.”

 

The constitutional amendment passed 82-11 in the Assembly and 26-6 in the Senate. In order for the measure to take effect, it needs to pass both houses of the legislature in 2013 or 2014 and be approved by voters in a statewide referendum.